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.
This resource has been prepared to assist individuals applying for foreign or dual citizenship. It provides information on the services the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore* can provide to assist in the application process (e.g., issuance of official copies of sacramental certificates and assistance in locating the church of record), as well as instructions on how to submit a request and the fees for providing these services.
*: Please note that the Archdiocese of Baltimore (est. 1789) maintains only the sacramental registers for churches within its current boundaries, which is compromised of the following Maryland counties: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, and Washington. Individuals in need of sacramental records from churches outside the current boundaries of the Archdiocese of Baltimore will need to contact the diocese responsible for that territory for assistance.
Access to Sacramental Records
To protect the privacy of individuals named in the records, the Archbishop of Baltimore has approved the following policy:
Baptism: Records less than 100 years old are closed to the public. Records more than 100 years old are open to the public without restriction.
Marriage: Record less than 50 years old are closed to the public. Records more than 50 years old are open to the public without restriction.
Who Can Access Closed Sacramental Records?
Individuals who have legal access to closed registers include:
Baptism: A copy of the official death certificate and proof of relationship (ex., a published obituary that lists surviving family members.)
Marriage: Copies of death certificates for both parties and proof of relationship to one of the principal parties named in the record (ex., a published obituary that lists surviving family members).
How to Request an Official Copy of a Sacramental Record
Submit a complete Foreign Citizenship Records Request Form. (One name per form.) Please keep in mind that a centralized index of names for persons that have received sacraments in the Archdiocese of Baltimore does not exist. Records must be searched by parish, year, and sacrament.
Foreign Citizenship Records Request Form
The following information will be requested:
Complete name(s) of the person(s) named in the record. (Included possible spelling variations.) For baptism, full names are also requested for the mother and the father. For marriage, full names are requested for the bride and groom at the time of sacrament.
If you are missing some of the requested information:
Documentation required to submit a request for a closed record:
Where Do I Submit a Foreign Citizenship Records Request Form?
Form and required documentation can be submitted to:
For Open Sacramental Records
Church of record. (Contact information can be found on the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s webpage.)
For Closed Sacramental Records
Associated Archives at St. Mary’s Seminary & University
Fees for Services
Research Services: $30/hour
Official Sacramental Certificate: $10
Public Notary: $8/certificate.
Payment
Check or money order: Address payment of $30.00 made payable to “Associated Archives at SMSU” (memo line: Foreign Citizenship), include with request, and send to the Associated Archives at St. Mary’s Seminary & University, 5400 Roland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21210.
Credit Card: Call 410/864-4074 to provide credit card information over the phone.
Note: Do not send more than $30.00 with the initial request. If the request requires more than one hour to complete, the researcher will be notified to authorize additional charges. If the record(s) is located, the requestor will be notified about issuing an official sacramental certificate(s), payment, and any further instructions.
Additional Information
Incomplete Requests: Staff will contact the requestor if there are any issues (ex., missing documentation or incomplete information).
Name Printed on Certificate: The name printed on the certificate will appear as recorded in the sacramental register. In some cases, the name might have been Latinized, ex., Johannes for John, or it will be discovered that a person was known by a different name or changed the spelling of a name. We will not change the spelling or enter a new name in the record.
Authentication: The sacramental certificate issued by a church of the Archdiocese of Baltimore will have a signature and a seal to authenticate it as an official document. The application process for foreign or dual citizenship may also require an apostille+ or public notary signature be affixed to a sacramental certificate. The Archdiocese of Baltimore can notarize certificate(s) for an additional fee. Please confirm with the foreign consulate processing the application if this additional form of authentication is required and request that the certificate(s) be notarized at the time the request is submitted.
+: An apostille is a specific form of authentication that is made by a state’s Secretary of State. If an apostille is required, please contact the appropriate office for assistance. For Maryland, information on the certifications and authentication services the Secretary of State’s Office provides can be found on its webpage.