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.
POLICY 2: Payments and Refunds Fees are not refundable but tuition and other charges are refundable according to the following schedule: 1 week, full refund; 2-3 weeks, 80% refund; 4-5 weeks, 60% refund; 6-7 weeks, 40% refund; after 7 weeks, no refund. The date used is that on which the Vice Rector sends to the Dean written notice of the seminarian’s withdrawal from the program. A copy of this notice is sent to the Vice President of Finance.
POLICY 4: Financial Aid Through the generosity of benefactors, the School of Theology has accumulated an endowment fund for restricted and unrestricted scholarships. The income from this fund is used to provide scholarships and employment. Such factors as scholastic achievement, participation in school or seminary activities, vocational commitment, and financial need, as well as the degree of participation in the formation program of St. Mary’s by the seminarian’s diocese are weighed.
*Note: Please contact St. Mary’s Finance Office for the Institutional Aid Application requesting your loan amount for the academic year or semester.
POLICY 6: Absences, Extensions, Incompletes and Latenesses An essential component of priestly formation for future priestly life and ministry is the development of proper time management skills. In the academic realm of formation, seminarians are expected to be present in their assigned classroom at the designated time as listed on the class schedule. Consistent unauthorized lateness or absence is unacceptable and carries a penalty as determined by the professor. In addition, seminarians are expected to abide by the due dates established by their professors for papers and preparations for quizzes, tests, examinations, class discussion and/or class presentations. Requests for extensions of work due during a semester or end-of-semester incompletes are also unacceptable. It is only in the event of very serious circumstances as determined and authorized by the professor, Academic Dean and/or Vice Rector, that an absence, extension, incomplete or lateness is authorized. All others are unauthorized and will be subject to academic penalties solely at the professor’s discretion. There may also be formational issues and penalties involved. It is the student’s responsibility to request an authorized absence, extension, incomplete, lateness according to appropriate protocols.
POLICY 18: Withdrawal Resident seminarians who withdraw from St. Mary’s follow the appropriate formational procedures. Should they wish to continue as matriculants at St. Mary’s, they must notify the Registrar that they are non-resident students. Students, who withdraw from the School of Theology and subsequently desire to re-enroll, must submit a new application for admission. Students who fail to complete a program at St. Mary’s have a statute of limitations of ten years to complete it without losing their original course work. However, they are obligated to whatever curricular standards are in force at the time they request to complete their degree.