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.
– Sandra L. Michocki, MBA, MA, BCC, CONNECT 2014
The certificate programs of St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute are designed primarily to serve the needs of laypersons interested in ministry in churches, schools, and religious or community organizations. The purpose of these programs is to provide students with the opportunity to do focused work in one area of ministry or theological study. Certificates do not certify that a student is competent to engage in any particular form of ministry but that he or she has completed a particular course of study.
The revised Certificate in Biblical Studies (BS) provides a 15-credit course of study in the essentials of responsible interpretation of the Bible. This certificate is designed for a variety of students: people seeking understanding and personal enrichment, those preparing for further theological study, students and scholars from other disciplines, teachers in private and parochial schools, teachers in churches or religious congregations, and clergy seeking to update or expand their biblical knowledge.
Required courses include:
The revised Certificate in Spirituality introduces students to the resources available for spiritual growth and for facilitating the spiritual formation of others. The program is intended for those interested in the study, practice, and/or transmission of spiritual traditions and practices.
The four courses can be taken in any order. There are no prerequisite courses. Each of the courses will be offered approximately every 2 years.
CONNECT is a 12-credit graduate theological certificate program for doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals; chaplains, pastors, and other ministers; and everyone concerned with the challenges of integrating faith and health.
The CONNECT certificate program is a cohort-based program organized as five sequential modules plus a practicum that together build understanding and competency (module descriptions can be found here.). The program runs every few years.
N.B. Program requirements are currently under revision.
The Certificate in Urban Ministry seeks to combine data and perspectives from the social sciences with theological reflection in order to understand the makeup of the inner city and to prepare for effective ministry. This program is intended for the unpaid church worker desiring training as well as the professional seeking continuing education or a new specialization in ministry.
All courses for the certificate must be taken at St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute (no transfer credits). Courses taken prior to enrollment in the certificate program are counted toward the certificate only with special permission. Courses not required for a certificate must be approved in advance by the student’s advisor or the administration before they are counted as part of a student’s certificate program.
All course work must be completed within three years. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7, which is required for completion of the certificate, or risk academic probation or dismissal. Students may enroll in more than one certificate program, or in a certificate and degree program simultaneously, with the approval of their advisor.
Some certificates still require a field-placement experience known as a practicum. The practicum must be approved by the student’s advisor, the instructor, and the Director of the M.A. in Christian Ministries program.
Certificates are awarded upon completion of the required courses, not at graduation. Students may normally transfer courses taken for a certificate into a degree program, provided that the courses fulfill degree requirements or can be used as electives.