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 regular registration period for current students is November 3rd through November 14th, 2025. Beginning November 15th, a $90 late-registration fee will go into effect for current students. (The late fee does not apply to new students, auditors, or to students returning after 3+ years.)
Spring courses run from 1/6/26 through 5/4/26. See our EI Calendar/Year at a Glance for details.
*All classes, except where noted, will be available as dual synchronous access courses. Students can opt to attend either in person or online (via Zoom), and will choose their primary mode of attendance at registration.
PR = Prerequisite; CR = Co-requisite
BIBL500 Introduction to Biblical Studies Tuesdays, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Dr. Katherine Brown An introduction to academic biblical studies, with attention to the nature and development of biblical literature, tools for research, and methods of interpretation (exegesis). This course is a pre- or co-requisite for most other courses in biblical studies. Required: MACM, MAT. (Formerly BS600. Students who have successfully completed BS600 will not receive credit for this course.) PR=None. Full Course Description
BIBL502 New Testament Thursdays, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Dr. Jennifer McNeel An exploration of the New Testament in its historical and social settings, focusing on the unique purpose and theology of each writing, with attention to the origins of the New Testament canon. Required: MACM, MAT. (Formerly BS622. Students who have successfully completed BS622 will not receive credit for this course.) PR/CR=BIBL500. Full Course Description
BIBL614 Biblical Greek II (online only) Mondays 7 – 8:30 p.m., and Wednesdays 7 – 8 p.m. Fr. Paul Maillet A continuation of BIBL613 New Testament Greek I. (Formerly BS614. Students who have successfully completed BS614 will not receive credit for this course.) PR=BIBL613. Full course description coming soon. Full Course Description
BIBL640 Parables of Jesus Mondays, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Dr. Jennifer McNeel This course is a study of the parables of Jesus with reference to their role in Jesus’s ministry and their context in each Synoptic Gospel. Students will practice responsible historical and literary interpretation of the parables and explore the meanings and implications of the parables for life and ministry today. PR/CR=BIBL500. Full Course Description
MNST501 Christian Worship Tuesdays, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Dr. Joseph Donnella An introduction to the history, practices, and theology of Christian worship with particular attention to developments in North American and ecumenical contexts. Required: MACM. (Formerly ES718 and PT718. Students who have successfully completed either of these courses will not receive credit for this course.) PR=None. Full Course Description
MNST510 Spiritual Formation I, and MNST511 Spiritual Formation II The first and second of three modules of required experiential learning. These 1-credit modules are guided learning experiences that integrate deepened spiritual practice with ministerial identity. They are sequential and should be taken in three successive semesters unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Required: MACM. This course is offered on a pass/fail basis only. Permission required.
MNST520 Mentored Ministry Mentored Ministry is a series of three practica taken in consecutive semesters beginning, during or immediately following MNST500 Introduction to Ministry. Students complete the practica in their current ministry setting with an appropriate supervisor. Required: MACM. PR=MNST500
SS892 Participation, Transformation and Deification in Scripture (Open only to CAS students and advanced MA students with instructor’s permission) Mondays 3 – 5 p.m. Dr. Michael J. Gorman A seminar on the topic of transformative participation in the life of God from Genesis to Revelation, including themes such as dwelling in God’s presence, likeness to God, abiding in Jesus, union with Christ, and eschatological bodily transformation. Full Course Description
THEO503 Christian Ethics (online only) Thursdays, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Dr. Dan Bell An introduction to Christian ethics, including its historical, theological, and philosophical foundations, major contemporary approaches, and applied issues. Required: MACM, MAT. (Formerly MT600. Students who have successfully completed MT600 will not receive credit for this course.) PR=THEO500. Full Course Description
THEO799 Colloquium: Naming God Tuesdays, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Dr. Brent Laytham The Spring 2026 Colloquium focuses on Naming God in Christian scripture, tradition, prayer and praise. We’ll read three recent studies, alongside substantial portions of Augustine’s Confessions, Dionysius the Areopagite, Catherine of Siena, and Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love. We will also engage poetry, liturgy, song, and visual art. Available to CAS and MAT students. (Permission required for students who have not completed their THEO requirements.) Full Course Description
DM868 Living Doctrine (DMin students only) January 8-9, February 12-13, March 12-13, April 16-17 Thursday, 6 – 8:30 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Dr. Mark Gorman An exploration of how theology enlivens Christian understanding, formation and ministry. Working through the full spectrum of Christian doctrine serves as a 1) lens for analysis of our current historical situation 2) script for Christian speaking, living and ministry 3) foundational component of the student’s ministry and D.Min. project. Full Course Description
THEO621 The Public Vocation of Leadership (online only) Thursday, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Dr. C. Anthony Hunt This is the second course in a year-long cohort: National Civic Engagement & Moral Leadership Fellows. Enrollment by permission only. Full course description coming soon.