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.
Dear Seminarians, Faculty Members, Staff and all Members of the St. Mary’s Community, We awoke on the last day of 2022 to learn with sadness of the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, an important and great figure in the life of the Church and of the world, at the age of 95. We had known over his last few days that his health was failing, so this was not a surprise but nevertheless represents a very sad and also momentous event. Pope Benedict was in many ways a source of stability, consolation and strength in troubling times throughout his life. As a child he was subjected to the perversion of German society, his beloved homeland, by the tyranny of Adolph Hitler and the horrors of Nazism. Through the grace of a faithful Catholic family he grew up to become a holy and outstanding priest, theologian, teacher, curial official and eventually Pope. He was an important figure during the Second Vatican Council and a bulwark of doctrinal stability and fidelity thereafter, a moderating and transitional figure as our Holy Father during the ongoing post-Vatican II debates over the place of our faith in the world today, and in the lives of Catholics. He had the grace to recognize when his health was not adequate to carry the burdens of the office entrusted to him, and so be became the first Pope in 600 years to relinquish his office in favor of someone who could better sustain the important role of the Roman Pontiff in tumultuous times. Since 2013 he has continued his faithful service to God and to the Church as Emeritus Pope under Pope Francis. Let us give thanks for the life and service of Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, and as he has passed through the gates of death let us keep his legacy of sound theology and faithful service to God and the Church alive on our own fidelity and service in the vocations that have been given to us by God. Let us keep Pope Benedict, his family, and the Church in our prayers in a special way at this time. We will observe the traditional practices of mourning for a deceased Pope at St. Mary’s in the coming days. May he rest in peace and may his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen. Rev. Phillip J. Brown, P.S.S. President-Rector St. Mary’s Seminary & University
April 23, 2024 | Ecumenical Institute News, St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute
Dear Seminarians, Faculty Members, Staff and all Members of the St. Mary’s Community, We awoke on the last day of 2022 to learn with sadness of the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, an important and great figure in the life of the Church and of the wo...
April 22, 2024 | Ecumenical Institute News, St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute