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 Program of Priestly Formation (6th edition) offers a renewed vision of the final stage of preparation for the priesthood. This requires a refocused set of skills and understanding for pastor-supervisors…inspiring this creative new program from The Center for Continuing Formation.
St. Mary’s Seminary & University is pleased to offer a comprehensive formation program of training, resources, and ongoing consultation/support for pastor-supervisors and their collaborators as they accompany and supervise transitional deacons during the Vocational Synthesis Stage of their priestly formation. Our hope is that this program will benefit the pastor-supervisors and their collaborators in the following ways:
I look forward to welcoming you to St. Mary’s in 2025.
Rev. Phillip J. Brown, P.S.S. President-Rector
View/download a full, four-color brochure on the program.
The Program of Priestly Formation (6th edition) offers a new vision of the final stage of preparation for the priesthood: the Vocational Synthesis stage.
Pastor-supervisors and their collaborators:
During this stage, the primary formator of the newly ordained cleric is the pastor of the parish where the deacon is assigned…. The pastor—who should be an exemplary model of the priesthood, aware of his formative task and of his duty to accompany the transitional deacon—should ensure that there are opportunities for discussion of pastoral situations and opportunities for priestly fraternity that will help the deacon transition well to active ministry and ongoing formation. (PPF § 140)
The pastor-supervisor and his collaborators need the training, resources, and ongoing consultation and support to embrace their responsibilities, further develop their skills, and expand their understanding of:
…the deacon to achieve his formational goals and the benchmarks of the Vocational Synthesis Stage.
The Spiritual foundation of the program is the art of accompaniment.
The program is built upon a comprehensive model, combining training (onsite and online), resourcing (print and digital), and ongoing support.
Over six months, from June through November, the program will offer onsite learning on campus in Baltimore, MD (June 16-19, 2025) along with online meetings (August-November 2025), print/digital resources, and personal consultation and support.
Explore all the components of the program: location, staff, and schedule through the following pages:
At the heart of Forming Supervisors for Vocational Synthesis is Accompaniment:
About Accompaniment…
The program employs a “comprehensive” approach in which the onsite and online training is combined with resources (print and digital) and ongoing consultation/support.
This page also outlines the specifics of the onsite training and Zoom meeting follow-ups.
About the Program…
The ultimate end of Forming Supervisors for Vocational Synthesis is the achievement of the formational goals of the transitional deacon, expressed as a set of “benchmarks” to be developed through this stage.
Benchmarks…
The program has been created and is managed by a team of formation professionals in all four dimensions of priestly formation and decades of combined seminary experience.
Meet the Team…
A succinct summary of key questions and answers about the program and what participants can expect of their commitment.
Get the Answers…
Find the details of the costs of the program, the services you can expect, and the link to online registration.
Register/Pay/Contact…
or to setup an online information session with Team member(s) contact:
contact: