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.
Named after the founder of the Society of Sulpice, the Olier Award is given to alumni who, through extraordinary contribution to the church and community, embody the mission of St. Mary’s to form priests after the heart of Christ, the Good Shepherd.
Previous recipients of this award include Cardinal Adam Maida, Msgr. Scotty Macdonald, Msgr. Charles Kelly of Richmond, Msgr. James Cronin of Baltimore and Sulpician fathers Howard Bleichner, Lawrence Terrien, Michael Barré and John Kselman, and Msgr. Owen Campion.
In his address to the plenary session of the congregation of clergy held earlier this month, Pope Francis said:
God does not cease to call some men to follow and serve him in the ordained ministry. However, we also must do our part, through formation, which is the response of man, of the church to god’s gift, that gift which god makes through vocations. Formation is about protecting vocations and having them grow so that they bear mature fruit. They are “a diamond in the rough”, to be worked with care, respect of conscience of persons and patience, so that they shine in the midst of the people of God.
Each generation in the church faces certain particular challenges in the formation process. In our time, before men come to a major seminary, they often need time for discernment, for human and spiritual and pastoral growth as well as instruction in the faith, and a knowledge of philosophy.
In addition, the arrival of men from other countries and cultures who wish to serve as priests in the United States requires special attention with programs not only in the English language but in knowledge of and adjustment to cultural and ecclesial differences. All of this requires openness, honesty, patience, and time. One of St. Mary’s alumni has brought his personal qualities, his ministerial – priestly dedication and the care for formation of which Pope Francis spoke to work in formation as men prepare to go to a theologate.
Father James Mazzone was ordained for the Diocese of Worcester in 1999 after having completed his college education at St. Anselm’s College in Manchester, NH and his S.T.B and M.Div. at St. Mary’s Seminary and University. After two years in parish work in his diocese, Jim returned to St. Mary’s where he spent three years as an instructor in pastoral theology and co-director in the Center for Continuing Formation. During that time he also completed his licentiate in sacred theology.
In 2004 Jim returned to his diocese and became the Director of Vocations and mentor to newly ordained priests. Two years into his ministry, as the Director of Vocations, and in response to the ever-growing Spanish-speaking Catholic demographic in the Diocese of Worcester, in May of 2006, Fr. Jim Mazzone began to make plans for a “House of Studies,” primarily for foreign-born, Hispanic seminarians who were open to life-long priestly ministry in the United States. The House of Studies also would serve as a residence for American, college-level seminarians attending the three catholic colleges within the Diocese of Worcester: Holy Cross College, Assumption College, and Anna Maria.
Among Worcester County’s 12 Catholic, private, and state colleges and universities, two institutions offered accredited, international ESLprograms –– Worcester State University, and Clark University. An ideal property was located only minutes from Clark University –– a 46 room rectory of the Holy Name of Jesus parish in Worcester (a French national parish).
The present pastor, Msgr. Joseph Sirois, was open to the idea, and the proposal was soon met with Bishop McManus’ approval. In August of 2006, a donation of $35,000 was received from a benefactor to assist with required renovations and upgrades to the property. Over the following months Fr. Mazzone organized scores of volunteers and coordinated numerous contractors to ready the property.
With the assistance of SMSU alumnus, Fr. Edwin Gomez, interviews for the first class of prospective international seminarians was conducted in the country of Colombia in April of 2007. In August of 2007, the first class of six Colombian seminarians arrived to the U.S. to begin ESL studies at Clark University with residency and formation at the new Holy Name of Jesus House of Studies.
Since the arrival of its first class in 2007, the Holy Name of Jesus House of Studies has also received seminarians from the Archdioceses of New York and Boston, as well as from the Dioceses of Providence, Rhode island; Norwich, Connecticut; and Rochester, New York. To date, seminarians from the countries of Colombia, Haiti, Brazil, Venezuela, El Salvador and Vietnam have resided there.
The ESL and American Culture Program at the Holy Name of Jesus House of Studies and Clark University has been developed into a 2-year comprehensive learning experience which well prepares today’s international seminarians for successful American seminary studies and diocesan priestly ministry.
Fr. Mazzone has served as a consultant for many dioceses in the field of immigration, student and religious worker visas, permanent residency and U.S. citizenship. Among its more than 30 students and alumni to date, seven have been ordained to the priesthood, and three to the diaconate. For his dedication to the formation of priests , and in particular, for the insight, creativity and energy he has brought to the pre-theology phase of formation for priestly ministry, St. Mary’s Seminary and University awards father James Mazzone the Jean Jacques Olier Distinguished Alumnus Medal.
Rev. Thomas R. Hurst, S.S., S.T.L., Ph.D.,President-Rector and Vice Chancellor October 16, 2014