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 Master of Arts in Christian Ministries (MACM) is designed to equip persons for a competent ministry in congregational or other settings. Students take foundational studies, a ministry emphasis, and engage in integration and contextual study including a capstone ministry project in the course Ministry in Context.
This program of preparation includes not only intellectual but also ministerial and spiritual elements. In developing the understanding and skills necessary for ministry leadership, MACM graduates will be able to:
The curriculum of the Master of Arts in Christian Ministries program consists of 48 credits (16 three-credit courses) including seven foundational courses, three ministry integration courses, four ministry focus courses, and two electives.
Graduation requirements for the Master of Arts in Christian Ministries are as follows:
The following courses are required for the Master of Arts in Christian Ministries.
TH601 is normally a pre- or corequisite for other courses in the program; students with prior theological study may petition to waive this course and substitute a free elective.
BS600 is normally a pre- or corequisite for most other courses in biblical studies in the program; students with prior academic biblical study may petition to replace this course with a biblical elective.
Students take four courses in a focused area of ministry, which is declared an Emphasis with approval of the Director of the M.A. in Christian Ministries. These courses are generally PT or SP. However, students may choose not to focus.
Any course in the curriculum
Crucial to any educational program of preparation for ministry is supervised, practical experience and theological reflection on that experience. The Ministry-in-Context component of the M.A. in Christian Ministries (PT799) is the culminating and integrating experience of the degree program. Offered only in the spring semester, Ministry-in-Context is a three-credit course that includes a supervised field placement of approximately 10 hours per week (minimum of 120 hours total) and a bi-weekly theological reflection seminar with a faculty mentor and all other Ministry-in-Context students for that term. This culminating experience consists of three credits included in the 48 credits in the basic curriculum.
Enrollment in Ministry-in-Context is open only to fully matriculated MACM degree candidates who have completed at least 36 hours toward the degree, including at least 15 hours of the foundational curriculum and 12 hours of the requirements for their area of ministry emphasis. Normally, students should take Ministry-in-Context in the last term of their program.
Planning for Ministry-in-Context must begin in the spring or summer prior to the year in which the student will take the course, with final arrangements and approval by all involved parties to be completed before Thanksgiving during the fall term. A guide to planning Ministry-in-Context is provided by the program director. Placement is based on the area of student interest, site availability, and input from the student’s faculty advisor and the program director, after discussion with the individual student. Depending on the emphasis, site placement may be at the student’s own church, another church, or a different ministry site. Each student in a placement has both a faculty advisor and an on-site, approved and trained ministerial supervisor, normally a pastor. Expectations of the student include regular, enthusiastic participation at the site for the agreed-upon hours each week (totaling a minimum of 120 hours for the semester), growth in ministry skills, and collateral reading.
The purpose of the concurrent theological reflection seminar is to integrate a student’s theological education, personal spiritual development, and ministry experience. Since students have different emphases and are not ministering to the same groups of people, the seminar provides great opportunities for students to assist one another’s growth. A substantial integrative paper (both scholarly and reflective in character) is required.
Ministry-in-Context students are evaluated by the on-site supervisor and the seminar instructor. Students are assigned a course grade by the instructor. Successful completion of Ministry-in-Context requires a grade of B or better. Repeating the Ministry-in-Context experience may be required if the student does not fulfill the expectations agreed upon by the student, field supervisor, and instructor, or if he or she receives a grade below B.
My ministry has been enriched by the diversity of traditions and theological perspectives held by my fellow students and faculty. Derek Miller, MACM, MAT ’19