Real Catholic Blog

RealCatholic.com is the online store of Ave Marie, a retailer of fine Catholic sacred art, gifts and books. Ave Marie was founded in Richmond, Va., on November 1, 1996  — All Saints Day! — as our first store opened at a Benedictine Abbey. We went online with RealCatholic.com in 2000 and since have gained a national clientele.

We are a family-owned company and proudly provide numerous unique selections, all of the highest quality, and offer many unusual or hard to find items, such as Russian icons and Russian jewelry. We also feature high-end Italian and European statuary and figurines.

Our stock is the product of superior craftsmanship, from the best American craftsmen in their fields, who take great pride in their trade and work. For example, our main jewelry line is made by a 120-year-old family-owned business. Our main crucifix line also is made here and uses domestic hardwoods. 

Even with our fine attention to quality control, unique items to fit your needs, detail-oriented customer service that makes your shopping experience easy and hassle-free, we successfully maintain a competitive pricing advantage because of our streamlined business model.

We hope this blog adds to our tradition of value-added service and that it becomes a valuable asset to you in your understanding of your Catholic faith, that you actively participate in this spiritual online community, and that you use it as a resource for learning about Church teachings, her rich traditions, history and contributions to the welfare and culture of all humanity.

After spending some time with us here, and if this blog inspires you to learn more about a Saint or Church leader, for example, or the meaning of a Holy Day, a cause, a teaching, or in some way breaks open God’s Word in a more fulfilling way, and you would like to learn more in a book, a meditation, or share that inspiration with someone in the form of a gift or art — or if you just want a basic gift for a Catholic occasion — then we would appreciate your business at RealCatholic.com.

Thank you very much for visiting us and may the Lord’s Peace always be with you.