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.
Forming Supervisors for Vocational Synthesis implements the vision of the Program for Priestly Formation (6th edition) for the final stage of preparation for the priesthood.
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.
The following policy has been adopted by the Archdiocese of Baltimore [hereafter Archdiocese] in order to provide researchers with a statement on the procedures regarding access to and use of the Archdiocese’s records that are part of the Associated Archives at St. Mary’s Seminary & University [hereafter Associated Archives]. While the Associated Archives also houses the archival collections of the Associated Sulpicians of the United States and St. Mary’s Seminary & University, this Collection Access Policy applies only to materials that are owned by the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Drawing upon the guidelines issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Association of Catholic Diocesan Archivists regarding the use of ecclesiastical archives, the Archdiocese of Baltimore opens their archives to all qualified researchers. In trying to balance the principles of both the right to know and confidentiality, we believe the access policies that have been adopted reflect a sensitivity to both the interests of the researcher and the Archdiocese. Every effort is made to open the records for research as expeditiously as possible, however, the policies of the Archdiocese require that some of their records be closed to researchers for varying lengths of time. Placing restrictions on the research use of records for specified lengths of time is a standard archival procedure. Restrictions of reasonable length also facilitate research by ensuring the survival and completeness of the historical record. All records transferred to the Associated Archives are stored under secure conditions and in a controlled environment. Access to the area where the records are stored is restricted to Associated Archives staff members and other authorized personnel. Removal of records from the Associated Archives is prohibited unless authorized by the Director of the Associated Archives [hereafter “Director”].
Authorized personnel from Archdiocesan offices may arrange for the transfer of records to the Archives or their retrieval at anytime. Please see the Records Transfer page for detailed instructions.
Administrative records of the Archdiocese, including but not limited to the papers of the Archbishops and Chancellors, are currently open through 1961.
The Collection Access Policy of the Archdiocese is based on a three-part categorization of records: open, restricted, and confidential/closed.
Open Publications, photographs, other records created for public dissemination, and records designated as historical in nature are available for researchers to work with without restriction. Records more than 50 years old from the “Restricted” series are treated as open for purposes of access.
Restricted Records of the Archbishops and those of Archdiocesan offices deposited in the archives are closed to research use for 50 years beginning on the date on which the Archbishop leaves office or for a longer period of time until processing is complete). Files of Archdiocesan officials such as auxiliary bishops and chancellors are closed until 50 years after the last Archbishop served by that official leaves office (or for a longer period of time until processing is complete). Processing of records includes an initial organization of the records by staff of the Archives and then also must include a review by an Archdiocesan official designated by the Archbishop, which may include legal counsel as necessary, to determine whether particular records (most likely legal correspondence, attorney communication, or personal notes) should be designated as Confidential/Closed prior to being categorized as Open.
Records of individual clergy of the Archdiocese of Baltimore that have been donated to the Archives of the Archdiocese are closed to research use for 50 years after the death of that person, unless otherwise specified.
Researchers may appeal to gain access to restricted records. Access is granted only after the Director has received written notice of permission from the Archbishop or his authorized representative specifying exactly which folders and/or boxes the user can examine. Records that are closed longer than 50 years are subject to the same policies.
Confidential/Closed Files containing sensitive records, including files of deceased clergy, for which access is granted only after the Archbishop or his authorized representative physically reviews the files and provides written permission.
Family History Information
The Archdiocese has designated certain information contained in the records of its deceased clergy as “Family History Information.” This includes: 1) full name, 2) date and place of birth and/or baptism; 3) parents’ names; 4) siblings’ names; 5) education; 7) date and place of ordination; 7) clergy assignments; 8) other similar information such as a photograph. Permission of a person authorized by the Archdiocese is required for access to Family History Information within 50 years of a clergy’s death. After 50 years there is no restriction on access to this information.
Categories of Records Closed Longer than 50 Years
When necessary, records older than 50 years old may be closed to research use if they have not been reviewed and processed sufficiently to ensure their preservation and to identify any records that may require closure for longer than the stated duration. Baptismal records 100 years old and less are closed to the public. Marriage and death/interment/burial records 50 years old and less are closed to the public. No restrictions apply to records of First Communion, and Confirmation.
Use of Records in Connection with Cases at Law or Legal Proceedings Requests for permission to examine any Archdiocesan records in connection with cases at law or legal proceedings of any kind will be referred to the Archdiocese’s legal counsel.
Appeals to Gain Access to Restricted Records Appeals to gain access to restricted records shall be conducted in the following manner: 1) researchers seeking access to restricted records are required to complete a Restricted Records Access Request form; 2) each request will be reviewed by the Director and the Archbishop or his authorized representative; 3) decisions will be based on the merits of each case, weighing the needs of scholarship against the privacy rights of individuals and the legal interests of the Archdiocese; the Director and the Archbishop or his authorized representative must be satisfied that a researcher seeking access to restricted records has demonstrated that the records are required to carry out a legitimate scholarly research project or for other appropriate use; in all cases, the decision of the Director and Archbishop or his authorized representative shall be fair and reasonable, permitting the greatest possible access, given the limitations imposed by legal and ethical considerations; 4) in order to come to such a decision, the Director and the Archbishop or his authorized representative shall meet, review the research proposal of the scholar petitioning for access, examine the materials to which he or she is requesting access and discuss the case; in cases where the materials are voluminous, the Director shall review them and summarize their nature and content for the Archbishop or his authorized representative, presenting individual documents of particular concern; in cases of requests for innocuous materials, a less formal review process may be invoked, consisting of a telephone call by the Director; 5) decisions made by the Director and the Archbishop or his authorized representative shall be final.
Restricted Records Access Request Form