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.
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.
Dr. Pat Fosarelli, EI Alum, Associate Dean of Instruction, and Director of the MA in Christian Ministries, was recently elected to the board of directors of the Health Ministries Association (HMA), a national organization that “encourages, supports and empowers leaders in the integration of faith and health in their local communities.”
As one who has long integrated faith and health as a faculty leader in EI’s CONNECT: Faith, Health & Medicine Certificate program, as well as through her continuing faculty role at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, we couldn’t think of a better choice.
NOTE: The CONNECT Certificate program will run again beginning Spring 2023 (with a remote attendance option). If you would like more information on this cohort-based program for medical professionals, religious leaders, and anyone concerned with the challenges of integrating faith and health, please contact Galen Zook.
Members of the Saint Mary’s community have an impact far beyond our Baltimore location. Recent examples include:
St. Mary’s Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology, Dr. Michael J. Gorman, was selected by Northern Seminary to give the 2021 Brady Theology and Mission Lectures on September 23 and 24 at the seminary in Lisle, IL (Chicago). The event was livestreamed. More on the Northern Seminary website…
On October 4, St. Mary’s Robert F. Leavitt Distinguished Service Professor of Theology, Rev. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R., traveled to Long Island, NY to record two upcoming programs for the Catholic Faith Network. The programs will discuss the relationship between Catholic Spirituality and Catholic Moral Teaching. They are part of the series, Encounter, featuring Bishop John Barres of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
On Thursday, October 14 the Thomistic Institute at Rutgers University presented a lecture by Prof. Matthew Dugandzic on “The Thomistic Understanding of the Soul.” The lecture was given on the campus of Rutgers in New Brunswick, NJ.
On October 18, St. Mary’s President Rector, Rev. Phillip J. Brown, P.S.S., and four seminarians attended the Annual Saint Luke Institute Benefit at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington D.C.
In the photo: [from left to right] Mr. Andrew McCarroll (Diocese of Scranton, 2nd year), Mr. Michael Boris (Diocese of Scranton, 3rd year), Archbishop Christophe Pierre (Apostolic Nuncio), Rev. David Songy, O.F.M. Cap., S.T.D., Psy.D. (President and CEO, Saint Luke Institute), Rev. Phillip J. Brown, P.S.S., J.D., J.C.L. (President Rector, St. Mary’s), Rev. Mr. Brian Norris (Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, 4th year), Rev. Msgr. John J. Enzler (President and CEO, Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Washington and Recipient of the 2021 Saint Luke Award), Mr. C.J. Wild (Diocese of Buffalo, 1st year), and Wilton Cardinal Gregory (Archbishop of Washington).
ST. MARY’S SEMINARY & UNIVERSITY invites you to a piano recital by Rev. Paul Maillet, P.S.S.
Bach: Selected Chorale Preludes Schubert: Sonata in A Major, D. 664 Rachmaninov: Moments Musicaux, Op. 16
Sunday, November 14, 2021 • 3:00 pm St. Mary’s Chapel at St. Mary’s Seminary & University Light reception to follow
Free and open to the public, but we encourage you to RSVP: rsvp@stmarys.edu
Before discerning a call to the priesthood, Paul Maillet received critical acclaim and international recognition for his performances with orchestra and in recital. He studied under full scholarship with Cécile Genhart at the Eastman School of Music. An alumnus of the Peabody Conservatory, he studied with Leon Fleisher and received the prestigious Artist’s Diploma.
“Maillet remains a fluent technician who boasts a particularly lovely quality of sound and who excels in subtlety of voicing. Most of all he has something to say, feelings to express and thoughts to communicate….Maillet’s playing is about his spirit, about his beliefs, about his experience of life…” The Boston Globe
“One of the best of the many brilliant students who have emerged from Leon Fleisher’s studio. He’s a pianist with an abundance of technique, a beautiful tone, and a deep streak of poetry.” The Baltimore Sun
November 18, 7:30 pm Laubacher Hall or via livestream
Perhaps the central word in Scripture for the reality and ministry of the Son of God is ‘sending.’ He is the One sent, by His Father into the created realm, Incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. And He is sent throughout His earthly life, to do the work He is given to do, to enter into the night of the world, its chaos and indifference and cruelty, to be the world’s Light. He is sent to the Cross, an act at once Transcendent and altogether earthly. This talk will explore the Mission of the Holy Son under one, dominant and complex idea, that of sacrifice, which best captures the kind of ‘sending’ that characterizes Christ’s life. The Eternal Son is the Living Sacrifice, sent to be the world’s Sacrifice. He is the Holy One in an unholy world. In this way, the Temple worship of ancient Israel—its cultic sacrifice—comes to life and guides the teaching of the Church in its Doctrines of the Person and Work of Christ.
The Rev. Katherine Sonderegger holds the Wm Meade Chair in Systematic Theology at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA, where she has taught since 2002. She was educated at Smith College, Yale Divinity School, and Brown University, where she undertook research on the great 20th century Reformed theologian, Karl Barth. Prior to taking her position at VTS, Kate taught in the Religion department at Middlebury College in Vermont. While she grew up a Presbyterian, and her Reformed roots still run deep, she is now a priest of the Episcopal Church, resident in the diocese of Virginia. Her vocation is the study and writing of systematic theology. Two volumes of her Systematic Theology on the Doctrine of Divine Attributes and of the Holy Trinity have appeared under Fortress Press, 2015, 2020. Her current research for volume 3 is on the Missions of the Son and Spirit. When not at her desk, Kate can be found outdoors: gardening, hiking, sailing, riding her bike, or heading to a ball game.
To attend the event in-person, please register HERE, or attend online via livestream. Please contact Dr. Rebecca Hancock with any questions about the event.
Leading Leaders Through Another Year of COVID Wednesday, November 3, 12 pm
The Rev. Canon C. K. Robertson, Ph.D. has served for many years as Canon to the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church as well as Distinguished Visiting Professor at General Theological Seminary. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the development board of Durham University, Chuck previously served on the governing board of the National Council of Churches USA, and was vice president of the board of the Anglican Theological Review and guest editor of several ATR issues, as well as General Editor of Peter Lang Publishing’s “Studies in Episcopal & Anglican Theology” series. He holds honorary doctorates and canonships from several institutions, and has authored or edited over a dozen books and many journal articles.
Join the Theology Town Hall