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.
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 have seminarians from the following dioceses.
Most Rev. Edward B. Scharfenberger, D.D. Bishop of Albany
Fr. Thomas Hoar, S.S.E. Director of Vocations Rev. Quy Vo Office of Vocations 40 N. Main Avenue Albany, New York 12203 Phone: 518-453-6690
Most Rev. William E. Lori, S.T.D. Archbishop of Baltimore
Rev. Steven Roth Vocations Director 320 Cathedral Street Baltimore, MD 21201 Phone: 410-547-5426
Most Rev. Michael W. Fisher Bishop of Buffalo
Rev. David Baker Director of Vocations 795 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14203 Phone: 716-847-5535
Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, J.C.L. Bishop of Erie
Rev. Scott Jabo Vocations Director Rev. David Renne Vice-Rector of St. Mark Seminary/Asst. Vocation Director St. Mark’s Seminary P.O. Box 10397 429 E. Grandview Boulevard Erie, PA 16514-0397 Phone: 814-824-1200
Most Rev. George Nkuo Bishop of Kumbo
Very Rev. Kilian Nyohnunfon, S.D. Vocations Director Bishop’s House P.O. Box 115, Kumbo N.W. Region, Cameroon
Most Rev. Shelton J. Fabre Archbishop of Louisville
Rev. Msgr. Martin Linebach Vocation Director Sr. Sarah Yungwirth, OSB Associate Vocation Director The Maloney Center 1200 S. Shelby Street Louisville, KY 40203-2600 Phone: 502-636-0296 x1273
Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D. Archbishop of Louisville
Rev. Matthew Gray Vocation Director 1025 Michigan Avenue, NE PO Box 4469 Washington, DC 20017 Phone: 202-719-3677
Most Rev. David A. Zubik, D.D. Bishop of Pittsburgh
Rev. Thomas A Sparacino Vocations Director 2900 Noblestown Road Pittsburgh, PA 15205 Phone: 412-456-3048
Most Rev. Robert P. Deeley, J.C.D. Bishop of Harrisburg
Rev. Msgr. Andrew Dubois, VG Director, Office of Seminarians 5100 Ocean Ave. Portland, ME 04103-4936 Phone: 207-773-6471
Most Rev. Barry C. Knestout, D.D. Bishop of Richmond
Very Rev. Brian W. Capuano, J.C.L. Vicar for Vocations 7800 Carousel Lane Richmond, VA 23294 Phone: 804-359-5661
Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L. Bishop of Scranton
Rev. Alex Roche Director of Vocations 300 Wyoming Avenue Scranton, PA 18503 Phone: 570-207-1452
Most Rev. Douglas J. Lucia Bishop of Syracuse
Rev. Joseph O’Connor Director of Seminarian Formation 240 E. Onondaga Street Syracuse, NY 13202 Phone: 315-488-3139
Most Rev. William E. Koenig, D.D. Bishop of Wilmington
Very Rev. Norman Carroll Vocations Director P.O. Box 2030 Wilmington, DE 19899-2030 Phone: 302-573-3113
Most Rev. Joseph Zhang Wenxi Administrator of the Zhao Xian Dioceses
Bian cun Catholic Church Huan ma dian Township Ningjin County Hebei Province P.R. China
St. Mary’s also provides priestly formation for the following:
Fr. Thaddeus-Nguyen Dinh Nguyen Prior
1671 Pleasant Valley Road Aptos, CA 95003 Phone: 831-761-9659
Very Rev. Fr. Albert Anusewski Minister Provincial and Director of Vocations
Holy Trinity Monastery 1400 Underwood Road Sykesville, MD 21784 Phone: 410-486-5171
Bro. Joseph Guyon, C.O. Formation Director
434 Charlotte Avenue P.O. Box 11586 Rock Hill, SC 29731-1586 Phone: 803-327-2097