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.
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.
Kaye Guidugli, the EI’s Director of Recruitment and Advancement has made the decision to move on from St. Mary’s to pursue new opportunities. We are most grateful to Kaye for her excellent work as the EI’s Director of Recruitment and Advancement and wish her the best very best. To hear a message from Dean Laytham on Kaye’s transition, see the video below.
The EI is currently seeking a Director of Admissions & Communications. Nominations, self-nominations, or inquiries are welcome. Please contact jobs@stmarys.edu for more information.
Dr. Pat Fosarelli, EI Alum, Associate Dean of Instruction, and Director of the MA in Christian Ministries, was recently elected to the board of directors of the Health Ministries Association (HMA), a national organization that “encourages, supports and empowers leaders in the integration of faith and health in their local communities.”
As one who has long integrated faith and health as a faculty leader in EI’s CONNECT: Faith, Health & Medicine Certificate program, as well as through her continuing faculty role at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, we couldn’t think of a better choice.
NOTE: The CONNECT Certificate program will run again beginning Spring 2023 (with a remote attendance option). If you would like more information on this cohort-based program for medical professionals, religious leaders, and anyone concerned with the challenges of integrating faith and health, please contact Galen Zook.
November 18, 7:30 pm Laubacher Hall or via livestream
Perhaps the central word in Scripture for the reality and ministry of the Son of God is ‘sending.’ He is the One sent, by His Father into the created realm, Incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. And He is sent throughout His earthly life, to do the work He is given to do, to enter into the night of the world, its chaos and indifference and cruelty, to be the world’s Light. He is sent to the Cross, an act at once Transcendent and altogether earthly. This talk will explore the Mission of the Holy Son under one, dominant and complex idea, that of sacrifice, which best captures the kind of ‘sending’ that characterizes Christ’s life. The Eternal Son is the Living Sacrifice, sent to be the world’s Sacrifice. He is the Holy One in an unholy world. In this way, the Temple worship of ancient Israel—its cultic sacrifice—comes to life and guides the teaching of the Church in its Doctrines of the Person and Work of Christ.
The Rev. Katherine Sonderegger holds the Wm Meade Chair in Systematic Theology at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA, where she has taught since 2002. She was educated at Smith College, Yale Divinity School, and Brown University, where she undertook research on the great 20th century Reformed theologian, Karl Barth. Prior to taking her position at VTS, Kate taught in the Religion department at Middlebury College in Vermont. While she grew up a Presbyterian, and her Reformed roots still run deep, she is now a priest of the Episcopal Church, resident in the diocese of Virginia. Her vocation is the study and writing of systematic theology. Two volumes of her Systematic Theology on the Doctrine of Divine Attributes and of the Holy Trinity have appeared under Fortress Press, 2015, 2020. Her current research for volume 3 is on the Missions of the Son and Spirit. When not at her desk, Kate can be found outdoors: gardening, hiking, sailing, riding her bike, or heading to a ball game.
To attend the event in-person, please register HERE, or attend online via livestream. Please contact Dr. Rebecca Hancock with any questions about the event.
Leading Leaders Through Another Year of COVID Wednesday, November 3, 12 pm
The Rev. Canon C. K. Robertson, Ph.D. has served for many years as Canon to the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church as well as Distinguished Visiting Professor at General Theological Seminary. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the development board of Durham University, Chuck previously served on the governing board of the National Council of Churches USA, and was vice president of the board of the Anglican Theological Review and guest editor of several ATR issues, as well as General Editor of Peter Lang Publishing’s “Studies in Episcopal & Anglican Theology” series. He holds honorary doctorates and canonships from several institutions, and has authored or edited over a dozen books and many journal articles.
Join the Theology Town Hall
Dean Laytham announced that the name of the MACM has been changed from Master of Arts in Church Ministries to Master of Arts in Christian Ministries. Both the EI faculty and the Executive Board voted to update the degree name to better reflect the variety of ministry settings within which EI students serve and for which the degree prepares them. In addition to parish and congregational settings, ministry sites of current students and alumni have included non-profits, hospitals, and parachurch ministries. The degree will continue to be a 48-credit degree, culminating in a final integrative ministry course. Those interested in pursing a Master of Arts in Christian Ministries should contact Galen Zook, the Director of Admissions, or Dr. Pat Fosarelli, the Director of the MACM program, for more information.
Hear from MACM Alumni Derek Miller and Catherine Liberatore about how the degree prepared them to serve in a variety of ministry settings.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the decision was made to remain fully online for the rest of the fall 2021 semester. A video message from Dean Laytham about the decision can be found below.
The library will remain open for current students and faculty. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Hancock.
Dr. Michael Gorman, Director, Certificate of Advanced Studies
(September 1, 2021) Dean Brent Laytham announced today that Dr. Michael Gorman was named the Director of the Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) program at St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute. He has been interim director for the last two terms.
Dear EI Community, We hope that you have had a restful and healthy summer, and we look forward to a wonderful fall semester of learning.
Our hope has been to offer each class simultaneously online and in person, from the very first session to the finale. However, in view of the surging Delta variant, and of the indoor mask mandate in Baltimore City, we have decided that all EI courses will begin entirely online. That will both protect the health of students, faculty, and their families, and promote effective learning. We do not expect this online only modality to last the whole semester, however. We will monitor conditions, and as quickly as possible return to dual mode instruction—onsite and online united as one learning community. At present, we plan to be online only through at least Sept. 17, with timely notification about what will follow. The library will remain open to current students and faculty. (Remember that presently everyone, regardless of vaccination status, is required to wear a mask at all times while in our building.)
Please know we are striving for the common good of our entire learning community, and those whom they love and serve. May the remainder of your summer bring health, peace, and continued rejuvenation. With hope, Deans Laytham, Fosarelli, and Hancock
St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute mourns the loss of Bishop Douglas Miles (MA in Theology, ’84; additional study ‘98) on Tuesday, August 3. Both in his service as a pastor of Koinonia Baptist Church and through leadership of BUILD (Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development), he embodied “faith seeking understanding, understanding making a difference.” We echo the sentiment of our emeritus Board member Dr. William C Calhoun: “Servant of God, well done!”
This fall, St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute is holding monthly Theology Town Hall meetings. You can view recordings of past town halls on the EI’s YouTube channel. For more information on upcoming Theology Town Halls, please contact Dr. Rebecca Hancock.
Outsider Within: A Womanist Reading of Hebrew Bible Narratives as the Politics of Belonging Wednesday, November 18 2020 12:30 p.m.
Rev. Vanessa Lovelace, Ph.D. Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean Lancaster Theological Seminary
Dr. Lovelace is Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and Dean and Vice President of Lancaster Theological Seminary, a school with which the EI has a partnership providing a pathway to the MDiv. Her teaching and research interests include interpreting biblical texts using literary criticism and theory of gender and nation through a womanist lens. The November Theology Town Hall will focus on her current research project, a monograph titled Outsider Within: A Womanist Reading of Hebrew Bible Narratives as the Politics of Belonging.
Join the Town Hall
Leading Leaders in a Time of Pandemic The Rt. Rev. Carl Walter Wright Bishop Suffragan for Armed Forces & Federal Ministries of the Episcopal Church
The Rt. Rev. Carl Wright is Bishop Suffragan for Armed Forces and Federal Ministry for the Episcopal Church. Next semester, he will be one of the presenters for the EI’s Leading Leaders course in the DMin program. His theology town hall focuses on the topic, “Leading Leaders in a Time of Pandemic.”
Might from the Margins Rev. Dennis R. Edwards, Ph.D. Associate Professor of New Testament, North Park Theological Seminary
Dr. Edwards is professor of New Testament and Biblical Greek at North Park Theological Seminary and also teaches in the EI’s DMin program. He holds an MDiv from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a PhD in Biblical Studies from The Catholic University of America. He has been in urban ministry for three decades, and has started churches in Brooklyn, NY and Washington DC. In the September Theology Town Hall, Dr. Edwards discusses one of his newest books, Might from the Margins: The Gospel’s Power to Turn the Tables on Injustice