St. Mary's Seminary is the first Roman Catholic seminary in the nation: rich in tradition while focused on priestly preparation for the 21st-century.
These pages provide information on the history, personnel, environment, and formation (in the Sulpician tradition) at St. Mary's.
The three pages in this section of our site touch on the very basics of the formation process.
A major part of priestly formation is intellectual formation, accomplished through the pursuit of academic degrees.
Desiring to assist in the strengthening of Hispanic ministry and recognizing the need for well-prepared priests dedicated in-part or in-full to this ministry, St. Mary’s Seminary and University has established a specialized track in Hispanic ministry.
St. Mary’s Propaedeutic Stage implements the vision of the Program for Priestly Formation (6th edition). It takes place in a revitalized and expanded structure on the historic grounds of the original St. Mary’s Seminary in downtown Baltimore. The McGivney House welcomes candidates from all dioceses and is not limited to candidates destined to enter St. Mary’s Seminary & University, but is the recommended program for those who will come to St. Mary’s.
St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute (EI) was founded in 1968 by St. Mary’s Seminary & University, America’s oldest Roman Catholic seminary, in cooperation with ecumenical leaders. St. Mary’s is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Ecumenical Institute encourages people of all denominations to explore theological studies in a serious, open-minded, and supportive environment. All EI programs are available wherever you are - on campus in Baltimore, and on-line.
The Ecumenical Institute invites people of all denominations into theological study that pursues excellence and promotes ecumenical understanding and respect. All EI programs are available wherever you are - on campus in Baltimore, and on-line.
St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute has a rolling admissions policy. Students may apply at any time for admission by submitting the appropriate materials.
The Ecumenical Institute offers accredited graduate theological programs for two master’s degrees, several graduate certificates, and introductory explorations.
The post-master’s Certificate of Advanced Studies in Theology (CAS) is designed for individuals who possess a master’s degree in theology (e.g., MAT.), ministry (e.g., MACM), divinity (e.g., MDiv), or a related field and who desire to continue their theological education with a general or focused program of study.
The Doctor of Ministry program roots ministry in the mission of God, the ways God is working in your context, in your ministry, and in you.
Students have a host of resources available to support their theological education, from free parking and a great library to writing assistance and advising.
St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute offers accredited graduate theological education that is intellectually rigorous, personally enriching, and professionally empowering.
More than 750 alums of St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute are making a difference in Baltimore, in Maryland and D.C., West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and around the world.
General communication and individual contacts
It is the mission of the Center for Continuing Formation to encourage bishops, priests, deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers to engage in human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral growth and to enable processes of growth that are ongoing, complete, systemic, and personalized.
Conference space rentals include a large room that will seat as many as 58 and smaller rooms that will seat from 4 to 30.
St. Mary's Center for Continuing Formation offers and hosts a variety of continuing formation programs for priests in the spirit of the Bishops' new Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests.
St. Mary’s Seminary & University’s Pinkard Scholars is the cornerstone of Youth Theological Studies at SMSU.
For more information about any of our conference facilities or space rentals, please contact our offices directly.
The Marion Burk Knott Library of St. Mary’s Seminary and University is the largest specialized theological library in the Baltimore area, with additional materials in the areas of philosophy, psychology, pastoral counseling and church history, among others. The library receives over 390 periodicals and maintains a collection of 20,000 volumes of bound periodicals. Other holdings include newspapers, microfilm, and audio-visual materials.
The Associated Archives at St. Mary’s Seminary & University opened in the spring of 2002. Located on the campus of the nation’s first Roman Catholic seminary, this program brings together the archives of the Archdiocese of Baltimore (est. 1789), St. Mary’s Seminary & University (est. 1791), and the Associated Sulpicians of the United States (U.S. Province est. 1903), making it one of the most significant repositories for records relating to the early history of the Catholic Church in the United States.
Click here for more information about hours and visitor policies.
This section was created to provide researchers with a brief description of the open collections in the archives of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, St. Mary's Seminary & University, and the Associated Sulpicians of the United States.
The Associated Archives at St. Mary’s Seminary & University has developed a genealogical policy responsive to individuals researching their Catholic roots.
We facilitate personal integration of the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions necessary for authentic priestly witness and service in the image of Jesus Christ.
St. Mary’s is the first Roman Catholic seminary in the United States, still preparing priests from across the nation and the world. It is also home to St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute and the Center for Continuing Formation. Thank you for joining us!
St. Mary’s Seminary/School of Theology was founded in 1791 by the Society of Saint Sulpice whose primary mission is to form candidates for the Roman Catholic priesthood. The Sulpicians came at the request of Bishop John Carroll to prepare priests for the newly formed nation. In the Sulpician tradition, seminarians, faculty, and formators comprise a formational community, grounded in Jesus Christ and primarily directed toward diocesan priestly service in the Church.
St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute (EI) was founded in 1968 as part of St. Mary’s Seminary & University, America’s oldest Roman Catholic seminary, in cooperation with ecumenical leaders. The Ecumenical Institute encourages people of all denominations to explore theological studies in a serious, open-minded, and supportive environment.
All EI programs are available wherever you are – on campus in Baltimore, and on-line.
Opened in 1996, it is the mission of the Center for Continuing Formation to encourage bishops, priests, deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers to engage in human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral growth and to enable processes of growth that are ongoing, complete, systemic, and personalized. We offer special programs each year for pastors, newly ordained priests, and senior priests. We also hosts various bishops’ meetings, ecumenical gatherings, and other conferences as well.
Mary & the Holy Spirit: Pastoral Paradigms & Ecumenical Prospects, with Peter Casarella, Ph.D., Professor of Theology at Duke Divinity School. Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 7:30 PM, in Laubacher Hall and on Zoom.
Regretfully, the Retreat Day for Healthcare Providers has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled in 2025.
The third annual meeting of the Moral Theology & Seminary Teaching conference will take place on April 25 and 26, 2025 at St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore, MD. The conference is open to all Catholic moral theologians, but the focus of the conference is specifically on seminary teaching. Proposals for papers being taken.
At the Knights of Columbus international conference this year, St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus Council received awards for Recruitment Efforts and Outstanding College Councils.
Fr. Paul Maillet, P.S.S., St. Mary’s Vice Rector, will offer a piano recital on Sunday, November 3rd. A light reception will follow. The event is free and open to the public, but we encourage registration to adequately plan hospitality.
Rev. Phillip J. Brown, P.S.S., President-Rector of St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore, America’s first Roman Catholic seminary, announced that Deacon Edward J. McCormack will serve as St. Mary’s inaugural Director of Human Formation. Deacon McCormack brings a quarter-century of formation experience, serving most recently as a member of the Formation Faculty in the position of Director of Pastoral Formation at Theological College, The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Effective 8/17/2023
The mandatory Covid vaccine policy has been lifted. Contact the Vice Rector’s office with any questions.
MARY & THE HOLY SPIRIT: PASTORAL PARADIGMS & ECUMENICAL PROSPECTS featuring Peter Casarella, Ph.D., Professor of Theology at Duke Divinity School
St. Mary’s Seminary/School of Theology holds its annual Alumni Days on Wednesday-Thursday, October 23-24, 2024. Onsite check-in will be from 1:00-6:00 PM, October 23 in the Front Lobby. Thursday, October 24 will feature the Alumni Mass in St. Mary’s Chapel followed by a brief reception and luncheon.
St. Mary’s Seminary/School of Theology will celebrate a Fall Holiday Friday/Monday, October 25-28, 2024. On Friday, October 25: Seminary/School of Theology—No classes. On Monday, October 28: Seminary/School of Theology—No classes; Offices/Knott Library—Closed; St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute—E.I. Classes meet online.
St. Mary’s is proud to support a unique celebration of music and faith: The Gregorian Choir of Paris will perform in Baltimore at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. The Cathedral is located at 5200 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210.
At the concert piano in the beautiful St. Mary’s Chapel at St. Mary’s Seminary & University, Fr. Paul Maillet presents a recital on November 3, 2024 at 3:00 PM.
Review open positions at St. Mary’s Seminary & University.
St. Mary’s is looking to the future of priestly ministry in the United States.
Our mission today as it will be tomorrow is to enable and support the formation of holy men, who are emotionally and psychologically mature, committed and equipped to meet fully the rigors of pastoral ministry in the Twenty-First Century with joy and authentic Christian witness. The people of God deserve nothing less.
You can be part of the mission of St. Mary’s Seminary & University. First, and most importantly, pray for us: our faculty, seminarians, students, and staff. Then, if you are able and wish to contribute financially, there are many ways to give and opportunities to direct your donation to specific programs in St. Mary’s.