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.
St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute has limited scholarship funds that are awarded to students on the basis of financial need, academic achievement, sponsorship by a church or other institution, or other criteria. (Auditors are not eligible for scholarships or other forms of financial aid.) Scholarship applications are due August 1, December 1, and May 1 for the following term. Once an award is made in an academic year, no additional materials need to be submitted until the following academic year. Late applications are considered only in extenuating circumstances.
The Dunning Memorial Fund provides partial tuition scholarships for fully matriculated master’s degree candidates who (a) have completed at least five hours at St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and (b) have demonstrated financial need.
The Olin P. Moyd Memorial Scholarship Fund, honoring a long-term, beloved member of the St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute faculty who died in 2005, provides partial tuition scholarships to students with demonstrated academic success and potential for theological and/or ministerial leadership in the African-American community and have demonstrated financial need.
Dean’s List Scholarships (partial tuition for one course) are awarded annually to fully matriculated master’s degree candidates with the highest cumulative GPA (minimum 3.85) who have completed at least 8 hours at St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute, including a total of six or more credits within two of the three terms preceding the announcement of the Dean’s List. Recipients of Dean’s List scholarships may choose to offer their scholarship to benefit a student in need.
The Abrahams Family Foundation Fund provides partial tuition scholarships for students, called “Abrahams Fellows,” who have completed at least five hours at St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Preference is given to Methodist ministers and ministerial candidates, and to fully matriculated degree candidates.
The Bishop Doll Scholarship is awarded to an admitted D.Min. student from the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland from an historically underprivileged background.
Partnership scholarships are given to master’s level students each term (subject to availability) who have the financial support of their church or employer. The partner agrees to provide a scholarship and the Ecumenical Institute provides a matching scholarship up to 1/3 of the tuition. New students are eligible.
The Patterson Memorial Scholarship Fund provides partial tuition scholarships, preferably to Methodist students, called “Patterson Fellows,” who are committed to lay or ordained ministry, preferably in an urban context.
Rafferty Scholarships are available to highly qualified Roman Catholic students preparing for lay ecclesial ministry.
Local judicatories and religious bodies offer denominational or congregational scholarships from time to time. Students should inquire at their churches or denominational offices.
Various other forms of financial aid (e.g., VA benefits) are also available.