With a reputation for theology and oratory, he was presented to Queen D. Maria I of Portugal as a candidate for the bishopric of the Diocese of Angra on 24 August 1782, being confirmed by the Vatican on 26 December of the same year.

Consecrated as the 23rd Bishop of Angra, he did not immediately travel to his posting but remained in Lisbon, taking the Diocese by proxy on 25 March of the year (where he nominated Dr. José Vieira Bettencourt as his governor).

This situation made the new bishop request, by circular of 10 May 1786, that the clergy of Terceira pray pro tempore FAMIS Masses, since they "never" encounter the island under the "scourge of hunger".

[2] With the death of Dinis Gregório de Melo Castro e Mendonça in 1793, José da Avé-Maria was installed as the presiding official, as Bishop of Angra.

[2] The Bishop was able to have the government of D. Maria substitute the Corregedor by Moura Furtado, which improved the situation, resulting in removal of the false currency and arrest of various people.

[2] As a consequence of the Napoleonic Wars (in which the Portuguese aligned with England), the islands' defenses were in a terrible state, with many of its forts and fortifications in ruin or abandoned (from several years of peace).

D. José da Ave-Maria died in Angra on 30 October 1799, and was a wise and peaceful bishop, much appreciated for his life, who was devoid of pomp, being almoner and benignly indulgent with offenders.