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.
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.
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.
Registration for summer classes at St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute has been extended through Friday, May 5th, 2023, after which a $90 late fee applies. (The late fee does not apply to new students).
Summer Master’s courses run from 5/20/23 through 6/29/23.
*All summer classes 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 Form – SU23
Alum Audit Registration Form – SU23
Miracles MiniQuest Registration
DMin Registration Form – SU23
Saturdays, 9 – 2:30 May 20, June 3, 10, 17, 24, and July 22 (virtual only for the last session). C. Anthony Hunt, DMin, PhD PR = none. An analysis of Christian spirituality from various perspectives through the lenses of resistance and hope for the church and world today. The course will explore historical developments, theological literature, and recent trends in the practice of spirituality, and how resistance and hope are informed through the study and practice of spirituality, and how such spirituality can lead to human liberation and the actualization of hope in the churches and world today. Full Course Description (“Green Book” page)
M / Th 6-9 pm May 22, June 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 20 (b/c of Juneteenth), 22, 26, 29 Mike Gorman, PhD and Brent Laytham, PhD PR = none By engaging recent developments in both biblical studies and theology, this course will explore the scriptural revelation of the one Triune God. Full Course Description (“Green Book” page)
6 – 9 pm May 22, 25, June 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 22, 26, 29John M. Macias, PhD PR = none. A foundational claim in the Christian intellectual tradition is that the truths we discover through natural reason will never contradict what God has revealed. This confidence has allowed Christians to borrow the concepts and terminology of philosophy in order to express theological beliefs. In this course, we will discuss the many philosophical questions and topics that are presupposed by theology, in order to deepen our capacity for doing theology well. Full Course Description (“Green Book” page)
July 17 – 20 Emily Ralph Servant, PhD Effective ministry incarnates the mission of God in the specific context and culture(s) in which the minister serves. This course will explore the influence of culture on religious experience and expression, provide opportunities for research and reflection on the intersections among cultures in the student’s ministry context, and equip the student with skills for intercultural listening, leading, and relationship-building in an environment of mutual respect and transformation. Full Course Description (“Green Book” page)
If you want the satisfaction of fides quaerens intellectum (faith seeking understanding) without exams, papers, or grades, consider our first MiniQuest:
Th 6-9 pm June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Pat Fosarelli, MD, DMin A non-credit investigation with an affordable pricepoint ($300) and manageable schedule (5 sessions)
This be a 15 hour survey of miracles – across the ages, across world religions, in dialogue with science – so that students can have a better understanding of a phenomenon that often stands as the basis of religious faith but yet is misunderstood, even – and especially – in our own time. Full Course Description (“Green Book” page)