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.
St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ellen D. Hoadley and Rev. Dr. Paul Mundey to its Executive Board. Both bring a wealth of experience in higher education, ministry, and organizational leadership that will strengthen the Ecumenical Institute’s mission to provide excellent graduate theological education and ministry formation for all seeking a learning community that promotes ecumenical understanding and respect.
Dr. Hoadley retired from Loyola University Maryland in 2016 after 28 years of academic service in Information Systems and Operations Management. During her tenure, she taught at the undergraduate, graduate, and executive levels and served as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.
A 2019 graduate of the Ecumenical Institute’s Master of Arts in Theology program, Dr. Hoadley has remained closely connected to the EI community through committee service. She brings to the board both academic expertise and a deep commitment to the integration of faith and learning. Dr. Hoadley is also an avid fan of the Baltimore Orioles and Florida State Seminoles.
Rev. Dr. Paul Mundey is a minister, consultant, and writer with more than 45 years of service to the Church of the Brethren and the wider Christian community. He has served in numerous leadership roles, including Moderator of the Church of the Brethren (2019–2021) and Senior Pastor of the Frederick Church of the Brethren for two decades.
Earlier in his ministry, Dr. Mundey directed Evangelism and Congregational Growth for the denomination’s General Board, where he also led Korean ministry efforts and helped develop several denominational identity initiatives. He has also served as a Visiting Scholar at Princeton Theological Seminary and currently sits on the Board of Trustees of Bridgewater College in Virginia.
Dr. Mundey holds an M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary and a D.Min. from Princeton Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Robin Risser Mundey, live in Frederick, MD. Robin serves as Director of Traditional Worship and organist at Central Presbyterian Church in Baltimore. They have two adult children and three grandsons.
St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute has announced that their 2024 Annual Dunning Lecture will feature Peter Casarella, Ph.D., Professor of Theology at Duke Divinity School. The lecture will be entitled “MARY & THE HOLY SPIRIT: PASTORAL PARADIGMS & ECUMENICAL PROSPECTS” and will be held on Tuesday, October 15th, 7:30 p.m. in Laubacher Hall and broadcast via Zoom. The event is free to attend on campus or by Zoom, but registration is requested at https://2024dunning.eventbrite.com/
On Thursday August 8th, 2024 St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute will host a day-long workshop on the topic of Roman Catholic Canon Law. The cost is $60, lunch included. Attend in person or by Zoom.
Join St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute this Summer 2024 for a Mini-Quest on the topic of Biblical Storytelling, led by internationally-acclaimed storyteller Dr. Tracy Radosevic. This non-credit course with an affordable pricepoint ($300) and manageable schedule (4 Thursday evening sessions, offered exclusively on Zoom) will explore the power of embodying Scripture as an approach to spiritual growth, interpretation, and engaging proclamation.
Class meetings: Thursdays 6-8:30 p.m. May 23 and 30, June 6 and 13 2024
For more information, contact Galen gzook@stmarys.edu 410-864-4203
The 2023 Dunning Lecture, “Preaching from the Cross: A Reflection on Paul’s Theology of Preaching,” will be held in Laubacher Hall on Wednesday, November 8th, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. and also broadcast via Zoom. Our 2023 lecturer is Rev. Frank J. Matera, the Andrews-Kelly-Ryan Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at the Catholic University of America. This year’s Dunning Lecture also commemorates the 25th anniversary of the death of world-renowned Sulpician biblical scholar Raymond E. Brown, P.S.S., whose career began at St. Mary’s. The lecture is free to attend in person or online. Registration is requested at: 2023dunning.eventbrite.com (The Zoom link will be emailed to everyone who registers.)
This year’s Dunning Lecture also commemorates the 25th anniversary of the death of world-renowned Sulpician biblical scholar Raymond E. Brown, P.S.S., who died on August 8, 1998 and whose career began at St. Mary’s. Fr. Brown then taught at Union Theological Seminary in New York. He was the author of more than 40 books and had a major impact on biblical scholarship within and outside the Catholic Church. His multiple contributions to ecumenical and interfaith dialogues also reached a wide audience.
The 2023 lecturer is Rev. Frank J. Matera, the Andrews-Kelly-Ryan Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at The Catholic University of America. He has recently completed a book on the topic of this lecture.
Fr. Matera is a leading New Testament scholar, a past president of the Catholic Biblical Association, and a priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford. Deeply interested in the theological dimensions of the New Testament and its meaning for the Church, Fr. Matera has written commentaries on Romans, Galatians, and 2 Corinthians; several books on New Testament ethics, Christology, and theology; and a Pauline theology. His ecumenical service includes being a member of the Plenary Commission of Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches from 1994 to 2000.
Ordained in 1968, Fr. Matera spent ten years in pastoral ministry before receiving his Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. He then taught at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA before moving to Catholic University in 1988. Following his 2012 retirement from CUA, Fr. Matera returned to parish ministry. Now a senior retired pastor, he continues to teach, lecture, and do pastoral work. Download the flyer.
The lecture is free to attend in person or online, but registration is requested. The Zoom link will be emailed prior to the event to everyone who registers.
One of the highlights of the 2023 graduation at St. Mary’s Seminary & University was the awarding of the first-ever Doctor of Ministry degrees at St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute. The milestone event comes through the completion of studies and awarding of degrees to Allison Raye Harmon and Joyce E. Vance.
Dr. Allison Harmon’s thesis was titled “Reading Joseph in Community: Identity Matters.” Dr. Joyce Vance’s thesis was “Out of the Mouths of Babes: Revitalizing Greater Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church’s Children’s Ministry.”
Rev. Jason Poling is the Director of the D.Min. program. The program is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Learn more about the Doctor of Ministry program on the St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute pages.
This Spring, St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute is pleased to welcome 20+ new students, in addition to several new students who are returning to complete degrees that they started many years ago. Welcome (and Welcome Back) to the EI – we’re so glad to have you here!
St. Mary’s own Dr. Bill Scalia has just published his latest book of poetry, titled Signal / Noise.
Dr. Scalia describes the book in his own words: “Signal / Noise concerns our search for meaning amid the noise that is constituent of human experience. Part I, ‘Noise,’ examines the background–and foreground–radiant static of human experience, originating (perhaps) in the Fall. Part II, ‘Signal,’ surfaces hope, an inborn drive for meaningful existence. Part III, ‘Return,’ resolves that search at its genesis and terminus: the idea of home. The controlling themes of Signal / Noise are faith, experience, and the vagaries of God.”
Signal / Noise is available for purchase from:
Dr. Scalia teaches writing, rhetoric, and literature at St. Mary’s and has published widely in literature and film. He holds a Ph.D. in English from Louisiana State University.