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.
National Vocation Awareness Week is celebrated annually by the U.S. Catholic Church. It is dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated religious life through prayer and education. This year’s celebration is November 5-11, 2023.
Find a prayer for vocations and links to a number of resources on the USCCB website at: https://www.usccb.org/committees/clergy-consecrated-life-vocations/national-vocation-awareness-week.
Father Richard P. Prior received the Robert F. Leavitt Award for Leadership in Pastoral Excellence from his alma mater, St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore, Maryland. Fr. Prior graduated from St. Mary’s in 2001 and was ordained in June, 2001. The award is named for Fr. Robert Leavitt, former President Rector of St. Mary’s from 1980 -2007. Fr. Prior received the award at St. Mary’s annual Alumni Day celebration from Fr. Phillip J. Brown, P.S.S., President Rector, on October 19th, 2023.
Fr. Brown noted that the special award was established in honor of Fr. Leavitt and his outstanding leadership, particularly in pastoral leadership and excellence. The programs established under Fr. Leavitt’s long-time leadership are a true hallmark of St. Mary’s Seminary & University. Fr. Prior is the sixth recipient of this special honor and Fr. Leavitt was in attendance to congratulate his former student!
Fr. Prior is currently the Pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel (Endicott, NY) and Our Lady of Sorrows (Vestal, NY). Previously he was the Pastor of Sacred Heart in Cicero (2015-2022) and Holy Family in Syracuse (2003-2015). Fr. Prior also served as Parochial Vicar for the Diocese of Syracuse from 2001 – 2003.
Bishop Douglas J. Lucia remarked “ I am most grateful for the generous ministry that Rev. Richard Prior has provided the people of God in his role as pastor in the Diocese of Syracuse. He is a gifted shepherd with a heart for sharing the Good News.”
In accepting the honor Fr. Prior remarked on the three most important things he learned while at St. Mary’s: (1) that learning never ends, (2) how to foster a living relationship with Jesus Christ, and (3) the importance of human formation, enabling a priest to “accept the brokenness” (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:27).
St. Mary’s Seminary & University is very proud to honor Fr. Prior as an outstanding alumnus.
Below: (Left) Fr. Prior with Fr. Leavitt, his former teacher for whom the award is named; (Right) Fr. Prior expresses his thanks at the alumni luncheon.
Sulpician Seminary Sports: St. Mary’s Seminary & University played a rematch with Theological College (Washington, DC) on Saturday, October 28, 2023 and redeemed* their 2022 loss with an 8-2 victory. The game was played on the St. Mary’s front lawn under clear, unseasonably warm skies.
* in a sports-context; not speaking theologically.
St. Mary’s campus was bathed in “Orioles Orange” to commemorate the life of Brooks Robinson: Orioles third baseman, Catholic convert, and Baltimore icon. Robinson died September 26 at the age of 86. Raised Methodist, he converted to Catholicism in the late 1960s.
Read more about this legendary figure in the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Catholic Review at https://catholicreview.org/baltimores-beloved-brooks-robinson-catholic-convert-dies-at-86/.
As Baltimore celebrates the life, generosity, and faith of “Number 5” it has double the reason to celebrate: on Thursday, September 28 the Orioles clinched the AL East championship, their first division title since 2014.
St Mary’s joins in commemoration and celebration for a remarkable man and a talented team.
St. Mary’s Seminary & University welcomed four new faculty members this Fall:
Dr. Barnabas Aspray’s first degree is in Computer Science, and for a while he worked as a software engineer for the BBC website before changing career. He completed a theology PhD at Cambridge, and has spent the last four years teaching and researching for the Theology Faculty at Oxford (“the other place” as Cambridge calls it). Dr. Aspray is a regular contributor to “Seen and Unseen”, an online magazine aimed at explaining Christianity to a non-Christian audience. He is founder and host of “Faith at the Frontiers”, a podcast which confronts challenges to the Christian faith with hope. Dr. Aspray grew up mostly in Britain and partly in Ecuador. As an adult he has lived in France, Canada, and the UK, and he looks forward to making America his new home. He will be Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at St. Mary’s.
Fr. Dominic Ciriaco, P.S.S., Rector of Theological College (2020-2023) is a New Jersey native. He attended Caldwell University, received a Master’s of Divinity and a Master’s in Systematic Theology from Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., and was ordained for the Archdiocese of Newark in 1999. He became a permanent member of the Society of St. Sulpice in 2020 and received his D. Min. degree in preaching from the Aquinas Institute of Theology in 2023. He has authored two books: Witnesses to the Gospel: Reflections on Saints and Others Who Inspire (Authorhouse Publications, 2007) and A Woman for All Seasons: Margaret Anna Cusack “The Nun of Kenmare”: Reflections on Her Life and Liturgical Thought (Leonine Publications, 2015). Fr. Dominic Ciriaco will serve as the Director of the Homiletics Program and Director of Spiritual Life Programs.
Fr. Maximilian Maria Jaskowak, O.P. is a Dominican friar of the Province of St. Joseph (Eastern Province, USA). He entered the Order of Friars Preachers in 2016 and was ordained a priest in 2022. Earlier this year, he earned his licentiate in sacred theology (S.T.L.) from the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. His areas of research include the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Thomist Commentatorial Tradition, Sanjuanist and Teresian Theology, and Josephology. He is currently assigned to the Dominican convent of SS. Philip & James in Baltimore. He will be Instructor in Moral Theology.
Fr. Hy Nguyen, P.S.S., was ordained for the Diocese of Oakland, California, in 1997. He obtained an M. Div. and MA degree in theology from St. Patrick’s Seminary in San Francisco, and his doctorate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He has taught at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, and served as Vice-Rector and Director of Extern Spiritual Directors at Theological College at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He has also taught at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio and served as the Rector of Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, Texas. As a native of Vietnam, Father Hy has made significant contributions to the faith formation and growth of the Vietnamese community in the United States and Vietnam. Fr. Hy will be Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at St. Mary’s.
The Catholic Review of the Archdiocese of Baltimore published an article on the archdiocesan vocations program known as Quo Vadis which was held at St. Mary’s July 10-13.
View the article at the Catholic Review website.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore Ordained four 2023 graduates of St. Mary’s Seminary on June 24, 2023.
The Catholic Review published profiles of each of the ordinands. Links to each article follow:
The Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Catholic Review conducted an audio interview with the parents of St. Mary’s third-year seminarian Russ Sullivan.
See their post and listen to the interview on the Catholic Review website.
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.
On Thursday, May 11, 2023 St. Mary’s Seminary & University held its 2023 Commencement for graduates of St. Mary’s School of Theology (and the Ecclesiastical Faculty) and St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute. The Commencement Speaker and Recipient of an Honorary Degree was Mary Pat Seurkamp, Ph.D., President Emerita of Notre Dame of Maryland University.
For full size images of the class pictures in this article, use these links:
Twelve students were awarded degrees from the School of Theology:
In 1822, Pope Pius VII established the seminary the country’s first ecclesiastical (pontifical) faculty with the right to grant degrees in the name of the Holy See. The seminary continues to offer the pontifical STB (Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology) and STL (Licentiate in Sacred Theology) degrees for all qualified students. The 2023 degree recipients of the ecclesiastical faculty were:
St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute conferred master’s degrees on 14 students. Additionally, one individual received the graduate certificate of advanced studies:
One of the highlights of this year’s graduation was the awarding of the first-ever Doctor of Ministry degrees at St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute. The two recipients with the titles of their theses are:
The 2023 Commencement Speaker was Dr. Mary Pat Seurkamp, President Emerita of Notre Dame of Maryland University and past member of the St. Mary’s Board of Trustees. She was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa.