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.
Stay connected with St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute after graduation through alumni resources, newsletters, events, library access, discounted audit opportunities, EI apparel, diploma frames, and transcript request information.
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 page provides information on the faith communities that existed within the current boundaries of the Archdiocese of Baltimore at the time of the American Revolution. Several communities still exist today, while others were succeeded by parishes located a short distance away.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
The Charles Carroll House, Annapolis (Anne Arundel County)
The Charles Carroll House dates to the early eighteenth century. The family’s private chapel served as the center of Catholic life in the state capital until 1823, when St. Mary’s Church was built on property donated by the Carroll family. Today, the Charles Carroll House is included in the grounds of the parish. See the website for this historic house to learn more or plan a visit: https://charlescarrollhouse.org/
St. Peter Church, Baltimore (Baltimore City)
St. Peter’s (building on right) was Baltimore’s first church and served as the pro-Cathedral until the Cathedral of the Assumption was dedicated in 1821. Built in 1770 as a mass house, it served the Catholic families (principally Acadian refugees, Irish immigrants, and native Marylanders) who lived in Baltimore before the Revolution. The parish was closed in 1841.
St. Joseph-on-Carrollton Manor, Buckeystown (Frederick County)
A Catholic presence on Carrollton Manor (owned by the Charles Carroll family) dates to the end of the colonial period. The first documented place of worship on the Manor was the home of Robert Pearle, a free Black man who had moved his family to Frederick County in the 1740s. The family’s home remained the center of Catholic life on the Manor until first church was built in 1811. See the parish website to learn more or to plan a visit: https://stjoesbuckeystown.org/history-of-st-joseph-on-carrollton-manor/
Elder Family Mass House, Emmitsburg (Frederick County)
Catholic families in the Emmitsburg-area gathered at the Elder family home for Mass, c. 1728-1805. They were visited by Jesuit missionaries from Goshenhoppen, PA. In the years since, three churches have been established to serve Emmitsburg’s Catholic population: St. Joseph (est. 1793); St. Mary of the Mountain (1805-1895); and St. Anthony Shrine (est. 1897). Mt. St. Mary’s University and Seminary (est. 1808) was built on property owned by the Elder family.
St. John the Evangelist Church, Frederick (Frederick County)
The origin of this parish dates to the middle of the 18th century, when Jesuit missionaries from southern Maryland began to visit the Catholic families in Frederick. The small brick house where they gathered was Frederick County’s first Catholic worship site. Construction on the church began in 1800 and remains in use today. See the parish website to learn more or plan a visit: https://stjohn-frederick.org/
St. Joseph Mission, Deer Creek (Harford County)
This community dates to the Revolutionary-era and was initially known as Priest Neale’s Mass House. It was Harford County’s first Catholic worship site and served the Catholic families of the area until it was succeeded by St. Ignatius Church (est. 1792) in Forest Hill (formerly Hickory).
Photo credit: Reproduced from Library of Congress Collections, E.H. Pickering, 09/1936
St. Mary Chapel, Doughoregan Manor, Ellicott City (Howard County)
This chapel was built on a plantation belonging to the Charles Carroll family outside of Ellicott City and dates to the middle of the eighteenth century. The Carroll family opened the chapel to Catholics residing on the Manor and in the surrounding neighborhoods for use as a worship space until 1982. A cemetery was also located on the grounds. It was a mission of St. Louis, Clarksville, for many years.