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.
First is a word used to describe St. Mary’s Seminary/School of Theology. St. Mary’s is the first Roman Catholic seminary in the United States. It was founded in 1791 by the first U.S. bishop, John Carroll. It is located in the first diocese, the Premier See, Baltimore.
St. Mary’s forms the kind of priests the people of God truly deserve. Alumni have included bishops and priests, including Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus (class of 1877).
The Society of Saint Sulpice, whose primary mission is to form candidates for the Roman Catholic priesthood, have led St. Mary’s for more than 235 years. The Sulpician tradition infuses the St. Mary’s community, which is primarily directed toward diocesan priestly service in the Church.
About the Seminary | St. Mary’s Seminary & University
St. Mary’s has always dedicated itself to training pastors attuned to the needs and the sensibilities of American Catholics. From St. Mary’s, more priests have been ordained for service in the U.S. than from any other seminary. St. Mary’s is America’s “cradle of pastors.”
The process of becoming a priest is established by the Vatican in the document, Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis (The Gift of the Priestly Vocation). St. Mary’s Seminary implements this document as the Program of Priestly Formation in the United States of America (sixth edition).
Learn more about this journey.
St. Mary’s students come from all over the United States and from around the world! Here is a list of all the dioceses that currently send students.
See a listing of the dioceses, countries, and religious communities from which St. Mary’s draws its students.
Dioceses & Students
What is it like to be a seminarian at St. Mary’s? These pages will introduce you to “life at the seminary.”
Learn about the experience of community life and the daily schedule of a seminarian. Uncover the many facets of St. Mary’s campus, building, living spaces and chapel. And get an introduction to the city and neighborhood that St. Mary’s calls home.
Learn about Life at the Seminary
St. Mary’s is owned and operated by the Society of Saint Sulpice, a community of diocesan priests committed to the formation of priests in the tradition Fr. Jean-Jacques Olier, founder of the Sulpicians.
Learn more about the distinctive approach to priestly formation in the Sulpician tradition
St. Mary’s School of Theology (Seminary) faculty represents the best in their field. The faculty continues the tradition of excellence in preparing candidates for the Roman Catholic diocesan priesthood.
Our Faculty and Administration | St. Mary’s Seminary & University
St. Mary’s administration directs the vibrant seminary and its 40-acre. The administration oversees all the operations related to academics, admissions, events, fundraising and maintenance that make St. Mary’s a premier house of priestly formation.
View the administration/staff of St. Mary’s seminary, including email contact information
St. Mary’s Board of Trustees oversees all operations at the historic seminary.
Members include sending bishops, Sulpician representatives, leaders in higher education, and respected business and legal professionals.
View the Board of Trustees listing