The Meaning Behind the Name

The name Ave Maria means Hail Mary in Latin, the greeting of the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Annunciation. Those words mark the beginning of our salvation story, when Mary, in her humility and grace, gave her “yes” to God.

“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” — Luke 1:28

A Journey of Faith and Beauty

The idea for Ave Maria Designs began while visiting museums filled with classical art. It did not happen overnight. I had sensed that beauty lifts the heart toward what is good, though I could not yet fully understand why. For many years I also struggled with my faith, until, by the grace of God, I was brought back to the Church and rediscovered the richness of the Catholic tradition.

Through that journey, I came to understand that beauty can lead the soul toward God, who is the source of all beauty and truth. In his Letter to Artists, Pope Saint John Paul II wrote:

“Beauty is a key to the mystery and a call to transcendence.”

— Letter to Artists, Saint John Paul II (1999) [Read it online]

Our Mission

With the loving support of my family, I began this work to glorify God through beauty. We are blessed to live in a time when the artistic treasures of our Catholic tradition can be shared in all their splendour through faithful reproductions of sacred art.

Each piece in our collection is carefully chosen from the world’s great museums, churches, and sacred art collections for its power to inspire devotion and reflect the light of faith. Our prints are produced with museum-grade materials, archival inks, and careful craftsmanship, honouring the beauty of the original work while creating pieces made to endure for years to come.

It brings us joy to know that these works may find their place in homes, chapels, and prayer spaces. May each one serve as a quiet invitation to prayer, a reminder of God’s presence, and a way of drawing hearts closer to Him, the source of all beauty.

With gratitude,

Fortunato Couto
Founder, Ave Maria Designs