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 President Rector, Rev. Phillip J. Brown, P.S.S. welcomes the appointment of Msgr. Marc Caron (Diocese of Portland) as new director of the Center for Continuing Formation.
View or download this statement.
Portland, ME Priest Named Director of the Center for Continuing Formation at St. Mary’s Seminary and University
Father Phillip J. Brown, PSS, President Rector of St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, the first Catholic seminary in the United States, announced the appointment of Msgr. Marc B. Caron, STD, as the new Director of the Center for Continuing Formation. Msgr. Caron is a priest of the Diocese of Portland, where he most recently served as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. In his new role, Msgr. Caron will oversee the Center’s many ongoing formation programs for clergy and lay ministers, which are conducted on site and online.
“I am very grateful to Bishop Ruggieri, the Bishop of Portland, and to St. Mary’s Seminary for this unique opportunity to be at the service of priests from all over our country. Drawing on the heritage of St. Sulpice, I look forward to guiding the Center for Ongoing Formation in its mission of promoting the intellectual, pastoral, spiritual, and human growth of priests and ecclesial ministers.”
Msgr. Marc Caron
The Center for Continuing Formation was built by St. Mary’s in 1996 in response to the teaching on the priesthood and priestly formation of St. John Paul II. The Center offers special programs each year for pastors, newly ordained priests, and senior priests. It also hosts various bishops’ meetings, ecumenical gatherings, and other conferences as well. Building on the directives in the Program for Priestly Formation (6th edition) and the Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests (USCCB, 2023), the Center has continued to expand its initiatives. Its offerings also include distance learning programs of varying lengths for priests. Programs for deacons and lay ecclesial ministers are offered as well.
Fr. Brown said of Msgr. Caron, “I have known Msgr. Caron for almost 40 years and have watched with admiration his outstanding, varied, and dedicated service to the Church, including several years of seminary formation work. No one understands priests and their needs for ongoing education and formation better than Msgr. Caron, and I know of no one who could fulfill this role better. St. Mary’s is extremely blessed to have Msgr. Caron join us as the Director of our Center for Continuing Formation.”
Monsignor Caron was ordained in 1989 with a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree from The Catholic University of America. In his home diocese of Portland, Msgr. Caron served in a number of parish and chancery positions. He also served as a member of the faculty at St. John Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts. Monsignor Caron will begin his new role on July 1, 2025.
The Center for Continuing Formation, which adjoins the main seminary building while providing necessary privacy to occupants, is a 30,000-square-feet facility with 30 private, three-star guest rooms and suites, and a variety of conference spaces and small meeting rooms. The Center also has an oratory and private chapel as well as its own dining room.
For more information about the Center for Continuing Formation at St. Mary’s, visit https://stmarys.edu/center/.
April 28, 2025 | St. Mary's News
St. Mary's President Rector, Rev. Phillip J. Brown, P.S.S. welcomes the appointment of Msgr. Marc Caron (Diocese of Portland) as new director of the Center for Continuing Formation....
April 21, 2025 | St. Mary's News
St. Mary's President-Rector, Rev. Phillip J. Brown, P.S.S. has issued a statement on the death of Pope Francis....