A Ministry of the United States Province of Holy Cross


Ave Maria Press is a ministry of Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers.

The Congregation is a community of Catholic, apostolic priests and brothers founded by Blessed Basil Moreau (1799–1873) in France in 1837. The community is modeled after the Holy Family and its patrons include Our Lady of Sorrows (the Congregation), St. Joseph (brothers), and the Sacred Heart of Jesus (priests). The Congregation’s charism is drawn from Blessed Moreau’s trust in divine providence, confidence in the Cross as our only hope—its motto is Ave Crux, Spes Unica—and the zeal to make God known, loved, and served.

The mission of the Congregation is to serve as educators in the faith, who with a preferential option for the poor, educate both the mind and the heart through education, parish, and mission.

The US Province has thirteen parishes in the United States and two in Mexico. Education apostolates include the University of Notre Dame, the University of Portland, King’s College, and Stonehill College. Mission apostolates are also located in Chile, Peru, Mexico, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

In addition, Holy Cross Family Ministries is the parent organization of Family Theater Productions, Family Rosary International, Father Peyton Family Institutes, and CatholicMom.com.

You can find out more about vocations in the US Province on its website.