Ever go on a pilgrimage to a special place of God’s calling? Let me introduce you to our special place – Ave Maria, in the diocese of Venice, Florida, close to Naples in Southwest Collier County.
To get there from W. Palm Beach, it is about a 2 1/4 hour drive and a 1/2 hour drive from Naples. Passing Belle Glade and La Belle, you will arrive at the edge of the Everglades, with new urban development in spite of the location.
“Fire, Fire!!!” Shouted the state attendant on the way south of Belle Glade. Such horrendous rush fires in the swampy glades? Winter drought. We were forced to turn around and come another day. The times they a-changin’. The Everglades ain’t what it used to be. Upon our return some weeks later, we entered Immokolee, a migrant farm worker community. It is probably the poorest town in Florida and clearly of a dominant Mexican culture. At the far end of the town, proceeding toward Ave Maria and Naples is but another Seminole Casino. This is Miccosukee community land, one of the tribes of the Seminole Nation. The Casino thrives, Immokalee does not.
Ave Maria is a master planned community located east of Naples at the edge of the Everglades. Founded in 2005 by Thomas Monaghan, original owner and CEO of Domino’s Pizza, the spiraling Ave Maria Catholic Church is the town’s main focus located within its central Annunciation Circle. It is their reason to be and stands like a landmark on the horizon as stated by one of its main architects, Harry Warren. It is also home to Ave Maria University and Law School. Highly regarded academically, maintaining a Catholic identity is one of its main missions as a university. Around Annunciation Circle are a variety of business – hair salon, sports bar and cafe, Italian and Mexican restaurants. Sarcastically I can say that residents and visitors can take in some Mexican food without visiting nearby Immokalee. But that isn’t so. There is a growing interchange and would encourage any visitors to do the same.
Further around the circle there is also an insurance company, real estate offices, book store, clothing stores, and a nearby Publix to boot. It earned “The Community of the Year Award” for 7 straight years. Most of the homes and residences were and are constructed by Lennar, Pulte, and Del Webb. Adjacent to the university, strolling and bike paths throughout this community is a common past time. Comfortable living for sure.
From the Ave Maria Parish website, the distinctive characteristic of the church is its interior steel structure. The outside 30 ft. sculpture of the Annunciation depicts Archangel Gabriel’s announcement to the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the altar are icons of the 12 apostles positioned beneath the Cross of Christ. All are a sight to see as well as an engaging and most spiritual place of worship in which to pray. Of course it is a very vibrant Catholic community of parishioners, residents and college students.
Guided tours are available and again from the parish website is a picture and quote from Saint Padre Pio, “Let us become saints so that after having been together on earth, we will be together forever in heaven.” Visiting Ave Maria will help you on that path. It is a little bit of heaven itself. I can say that any visit here is a refresher and restarting point toward your own personal sainthood. On the way home during our most recent, we experienced a horrendous, treacherous 28-inch rain storm while driving through Alligator Alley, the Everglades main thoroughfare. Well, I guess it is through horrendous fire and treacherous rain is probably what we have to endure on our way to sainthood, as it was in our yearly pilgrimage to Ave Maria.
Source: Baglino, Michael J. 2022 More From a Florida Catholic: Vignettes Plus on Psychology and Culture. New York: Penguin Writers.
