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 Center for Continuing Formation, in collaboration with St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute, present two full-day workshops exploring vital foundations for effective evangelization. Both programs are open to all pastoral ministry leaders.
The workshops may be taken onsite/in person or online through Zoom. Participants may choose one workshop or use the “2 workshop bundle” for a $10 dual registration discount. See the descriptions below and use the registration/shopping cart buttons for easy enrollment and payment.
View/download the flyer for this program.
Having a conversation when you don’t speak the same language brings misunderstandings, mistaken intentions, and ultimately, an inability to connect.
Likewise, evangelization without intercultural competencies can be filled with missed opportunities and miscommunication.
In this workshop, participants will engage with a series of activities to raise awareness of and strengthen intercultural competencies for effective intercultural communication towards the goal of evangelization.
Participants have the option to complete an online pre-assessment on the intercultural competencies before the workshop is held. If you are interested in this option, select the registration button for it to add to your “cart” before final checkout.
DATE: June 5, 2025
TIME: 9:30 am-4:30 pm edt
COST: $60.00
LOCATION: The Center for Continuing Formation, St. Mary’s Seminary & University (directions)
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 30, 2025
Notes:
For centuries, Christians have used titles for Jesus like “friend of the alienated,” “friend of the poor,” or “friend of the oppressed.”
Acknowledging that leads to a theology of friendship and unpacking a toolbox of skills for meeting people as friends in faith.
This workshop will focus on practical applications of a theology of friendship for developing interpersonal and community relationships towards the goal of evangelization.
DATE: July 10, 2025
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: July 3, 2025
Note:
Participants have the option to complete an online pre-assessment on the intercultural competencies before the workshop is held.
This assessment will be administered at a mutually convenient time prior to the June 5, 2025 workshop, “Intercultural Readiness for Evangelization.”
Registrants will be contacted individually after purchase notification.
TIME: when convenient
COST: $50.00
LOCATION: Online
Consisting of:
$10 discount for dual registration to the 2025 Evangelization Summer Programs.
DATE: June 5 & July 10, 2025
COST: $110.00
Both workshops will include presentation/facilitation by each presenter.
Director of Language Resources and Intercultural Integration Assistant Professor of English and Culture
St. Mary’s Seminary & University, Baltimore, MD
Ms. Hicks (S.T.D. cand.) is an experienced English instructor for international students, trains seminarians and faculty in intercultural communication, and works in adult faith formation. She presents workshops on intercultural competence nationally.
Associate Pastor
Rev. Evan Ponton, M.Div., S.T.L., Baltimore, MD
Rev. Evan Ponton (S.T.D. Cand.), a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, is the Associate Pastor of St. Matthew parish (consisting of seven recently merged churches in Northeast Baltimore City) and chaplain to the Baltimore City Fire Department. Previously, he served as chaplain of Archbishop Spalding High School and a lay staff member of Church of the Nativity in Timonium, MD.
For more information, contact:
Center for Continuing Formation St. Mary’s Seminary and University 5400 Roland Avenue Baltimore, MD 21210 410-864-4102
center (at) stmarys.edu