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 reference and research services offered by the Associated Archives are designed to accommodate requests for access to information found in our holdings while ensuring the long-term preservation of the collections and protecting the privacy of its individuals. Detailed information on our policies and procedures is listed below.
The Reading Room is part of the climate-controlled facility that houses the collections of the Associated Archives. Large tables and chairs provide a comfortable work space that can accommodate up to four researchers at a time. Archival records are examined in the Reading Room and cannot be removed. Digital cameras are not allowed in the Reading Room. A microfilm reader/printer is available for use by visitors (.25 cents per copy). Outlets are available for connecting laptop computers. Lockers and a coat rack are also provided for storing personal belongings during visits. It is recommended that researchers pack a sweater or jacket.
The staff of the Associated Archives is friendly, knowledgeable, and available to assist patrons during Reading Room hours. The Visitor Policy and information on hours, scheduling an appointment, directions, and parking can be found in the About the Archives section of the website.
All visitors using the Reading Room are required to read and sign the Archives Policy Statement before being permitted access to records.
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If you are unable to visit the Archives in person, the staff does provide limited reference services. To see a copy of our Reference Services and Fees policy and request form, please click on the link below.
Reference Service Policy
The charge is $20.00 per hour (1-hour minimum) and is limited to four (4) hours per written request. The Associated Archives reserves the right to limit or refuse to conduct research on a patron’s behalf.
Reference services are limited due to the large number of requests that are received each week. The Associated Archives staff is available by telephone or e-mail to assist patrons in the following ways: to make an appointment, to send an inquiry by fax, mail, or e-mail, and to explain the scope of the services offered by the Archives. We DO NOT take research requests over the telephone. All requests must be submitted in writing. Please see the section above for information on submitting written research requests.
Archives staff will provide without charge research services that are limited to a brief inspection of the archives’ card catalogs, inventories, directories, and library. Requests that require lengthy use of multiple sources and/or research and reading of the collections will incur research fees.
Limited on-site document and image reproduction services are available at the Associated Archives. Reproduction of documents that are of legal or letter size are available in two formats: paper and .pdf files. Please indicate format on the request form. The cost for reproduction is based on the number of pages. Additional charges will be incurred for volume and long-distance requests.
Photographs and Digital Images may be requested for reproduction as digital images only. The cost for images is based on the resolution and file format of the image requested.
Materials that are deemed by staff too fragile to handle will not be reproduced.
Document Reproduction Policy and Billing Form
Image Reproduction Policy & Billing Form
All sacramental records for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore are kept at the parish level unless the parish has been closed. The sacramental registers for the following closed parishes have been transferred to the Archdiocesan Archives:
St. Andrew (1878-1974) St. Bernard (1891-1989)* St. James the Less (1834-1986) St. John the Evangelist (1853-1986) St. Monica (1883-1959)
*: Became St. Bernard Korean National Parish in 1989. In 1997 the community was renamed Holy Korean Martyrs and relocated to the Woodlawn area of Baltimore County.
Sacramental records for parishes that have been closed and incorporated into another parish are available at the new parish. If the closed parish you are interested in is not listed above, please click here for information on where these records are now located.
If you do not have information on the parish where you received the sacrament, the following questions may help to identify it:
Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA P.O. Box 4469 Washington, DC 20017-0469
The Associated Archives does not charge for official copies of sacramental certificates for the individual named on the certificate. This service is provided only to those individuals whose parish has been closed and its sacramental registers transferred to the Associated Archives (see above). To see a copy of our Sacramental Records Release form, please click on the link below. When submitting your request, please include a photocopy of your current driver’s license or other valid form of photo identification.
Sacramental Records Release Form
If you have any questions regarding these policies, or need further assistance, you can e-mail us at: [email protected].
All other requests for duplicate copies of sacramental certificates must be sent to the parish directly. Contact information for all parishes can be found on the website of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
No matter which parish provides you with the official certificate, it would be appropriate to send a donation to help the parish recover its expenses (searching the records, typing up the certificate, and postage).
Archdiocesan Schools Individuals interested in obtaining a copy of their student transcript should contact the elementary, middle, or secondary school directly if it is still open. If the school has been closed but the parish is still open, contact the parish for assistance.* (Click here to search for school and parish contact information.)
*: Please note that in accordance with Maryland State law, the Archdiocese is not required to maintain the records for closed elementary schools.
The records for the following closed schools are maintained by the Maryland State Department of Education: The Cardinal Gibbons School, Baltimore, Mt. St. Agnes High School, Baltimore, St. Andrew’s Business School, Baltimore, St. Martin’s High School, Baltimore, St. Michael the Archangel Business School for Girls, Baltimore, St. Michael the Archangel High School, Baltimore, St. Paul’s Commercial School, Baltimore, Seton Keough High School, Baltimore, and Trinity Preparatory School, Ellicott City. Individuals interested in obtaining a copy of their student transcript should contact the Nonpublic Schools Approval Branch of the Maryland State Department of Education directly for assistance.
If you are interested in the records of a private school that has been closed, contact the religious community that operated the school directly for assistance:
Men’s Religious Communities
Women’s Religious Communities
Individuals interested in post-secondary school records will need to contact the institution’s Registrar’s Office directly.
Permission to reproduce or publish archives materials in their entirety or a substantial portion thereof requires the written authorization of the Director of the Associated Archives. Permission to cite consulted materials is included in the agreement to use the archives and is governed by scholarly practice and copyright. Written consent to publish or reproduce materials does not restrict the Archives’ right to publish the same materials or allow others to do so. To see a copy of our Permission to Use Form, please click on the link below.
Proper credit must be given to the Associated Archives at St. Mary’s Seminary & University when materials are cited or published in scholarly works. To see a copy of the sample Citation Sheet we have compiled, please click on the link below.
A list of online resources has been prepared to assist you with organizing and caring for your private or family collection and what to do should it be damaged by fire and/or water.