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.
*All spring 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.
Registration for Spring 2025 is now open. Spring courses run from 1/7/25 through 5/5/25.
The regular registration period for current students is November 4th through November 15th, 2024. Beginning November 16th, 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.)
(A Course Schedule Matrix is provided at the bottom of this page.) PR = Prerequisite; CR = Co-requisite
BS600 Orientation to Biblical Studies Tuesday, 6 – 8:30 pm Dr. Katherine Brown PR=None 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. Full Course Description
BS612 Introduction to Biblical Hebrew II Monday 7 – 8:30 pm, and Wednesday 7 – 8 pm, online only Fr. Paul Maillet PR=BS611 A continuation of BS611, with reading in the Hebrew Bible. Full Course description coming soon.
BS622 Literature & Theology of the New Testament Monday, 6 – 8:30 pm Dr. Jennifer McNeel PR/CR=BS600 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. Full Course Description
BS630 Prophetic Literature Thursday, 6 – 8:30 pm Dr. Rebecca Hancock PR/CR=BS600, TH601. This course will examine the historical, literary, and theological dimensions of Prophetic Literature in the Old Testament, with particular attention to specific prophetic texts. Full Course Description
BS691 Readings in Biblical Greek Thursdays 4 – 5 p.m. Dr. Michael Gorman PR = one year of Greek. Reading of selected passages of the Gospel of John to develop facility in grammatical analysis and enlarge vocabulary. Note: depending on enrollment preferences, this course may be online only. Full Course Description Coming Soon
BS794 Currents in Pauline Theology Monday 3 – 5 p.m. Dr. Michael Gorman This seminar for seminary STL students, CAS students, and advanced MA students with permission of the instructor will focus on two main topics: (1) recent developments in various topics in Pauline theology and (2) the letter to the Philippians. Full Course Description Coming Soon
DM816 Leading Leaders (DMin only) Jan. 9-10, Feb. 6-7, Mar. 6-7, Apr. 3-4. Classes run from 6:00-8:30 on Thursday evenings and from 9:00-3:00 on Fridays, with a 1 hour break. Dr. Jason Poling Most ministry involves the exercise of leadership in some capacity. This course prepares students to meet the leadership challenges they are increasingly likely to encounter as their ministry matures. Instruction includes extended times of interaction with senior leaders from diverse denominational and ministry contexts. Full Course Description
MT600 Theological Ethics Wednesday, 6 – 8:30 pm, online only Dr. Dan Bell PR/CR=TH601. A survey of the major foundational themes in Christian ethics, such as sin and virtue, moral development, conscience and character, Scripture and ethics, and approaches to selected contemporary issues. Full Course Description
MT703 Theology of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Travel Course) Alabama Immersion FAQ Dr. Anthony Hunt PR=TH601 or permission from the instructor. An historical, theological, and socio-cultural analysis of King’s writings, with attention to influences on his thought and to his legacy. Full Course Description
PT718 Christian Worship: Principles and Practice Tuesday, 6 – 8:30 pm Dr. Joseph Donnella PR/CR=TH601 This course provides a biblical, theological, historical, and contemporary analysis of worship in the classical Christian tradition, emphasizing commonalities, denominational distinctives, and current issues. Full Course Description
PT799 Ministry-in-Context Thursday, 6 – 8:30 pm Dr. Pat Fosarelli PR=completion of degree requirements specified here, plus permission of the instructor and the approval of the placement experience by the middle of the term prior to enrollment in the course. A supervised field placement experience and concurrent theological reflection seminar, open only to M.A. in Christian Ministries candidates who have completed at least 36 credits. Full Course Description
TH799 Colloquium: Theology of Patience Monday, 6 – 8:30 pm Dr. Arthur Sutherland An interdisciplinary seminar, with classic readings from Scripture, theology, philosophy, and literature. Available to MAT students as their culminating degree experience, CAS students, and other advanced student with Dean’s permission. Full Course Description