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 is proud to support a unique celebration of music and faith: The Gregorian Choir of Paris will perform in Baltimore at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. The Cathedral is located at 5200 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210.
St. Mary’s is proud to support a unique celebration of music and faith.
The Gregorian Choir of Paris will perform in Baltimore at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. The Cathedral is located at 5200 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210.
In celebration of its 50th anniversary and ahead of the much anticipated reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on December 8, the Gregorian Choir of Paris is embarking on its inaugural tour of the United States from October 22 to November 1, 2024. The tour aims to highlight the enduring significance of Gregorian chant as both a form of music and prayer, with concerts, masses, and services in Washington DC, Annapolis, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City.
This event is FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. A free-will offering will be taken during the concert in support of the Cathedral and to cover associated costs related to hosting the Gregorian Choir of Paris.
The Gregorian Choir of Paris (Le Choeur grégorien de Paris), was established in 1974 by Louis-Marie Vigne with the aim of rediscovering the rich and beautiful musical art of Gregorian chant which dates to the early Middle Ages. The Choir is made up of thirty singers, both men and women, including several professional soloists and features a diverse repertoire including polyphonies from the renowned School of Notre-Dame and timeless motets by Palestrina. The Choir is now one of the leading institutions carrying on the tradition of the Gregorian chant and received training from monks who are considered experts in Gregorian musicology and spirituality, such as Dom Eugène Cardine, Dom Jean Claire, and Dom Jacques Hourlier. Over time, the Choir’s dedication to the Latin liturgy in Parisian churches culminated in regular performances at Val-de-Grâce and at the Chapelle des Lazaristes. A women’s choir was also established, which performs regularly at the Church of Saint-Sulpice.
The Choir’s other US tour events will take place during Mass and Vespers at La Maison Française in Washington, DC; Saint-Louis de France in Northwest Washington, DC, as well as special performances at North Bethesda United Methodist Church; St. John’s College in Annapolis; the Old First Reformed Church, Columbia University Chapel; and All Saints Mass at the Church of Corpus Christi in New York.
The Gregorian Choir of Paris is supported by the Amis du Choeur Grégorien de Paris, a nonprofit organization founded in 1981 for the promotion of Gregorian chant. Together, they have organized global summits to share practices and knowledge of the Gregorian chant, including at major international conferences and gatherings organized for the preservation and promotion of Gregorian Chant.
The Choeur grégorien de Paris is a true family of nations, having welcomed international choirmasters for thirty years from Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Colombia, South Korea, and Madagascar, places where the choir has developed a strong presence through institutional partnerships and international festivals. Their discography covers varied repertoires, including those for Christmas and the Holy Week, Cistercian melodies, and songs composed in honor of Saint Louis. Discover their music on streaming platforms like Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music.