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.
Stay connected with St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute after graduation through alumni resources, newsletters, events, library access, discounted audit opportunities, EI apparel, diploma frames, and transcript request information.
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 is proud to have seminarians from the following dioceses.
Most Rev. William E. Lori, S.T.D. Archbishop of Baltimore
Rev. Steven Roth Director of Vocations 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. Michael F. Olsen, S.T.D. Bishop of Fort Worth
Rev. Brett Metzler Director of Vocations Very Rev. Jonathan Wallis Director of Theologian Seminarian Formation Vocations Office Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth 800 West Loop 820 Sotuh Fort Worth, TX 76108-2919 Phone: 817-945-9321
Most Rev. George Nkuo Bishop of Kumbo
Very Rev. Emmanuel Fale Vocations Director Bishop’s House P.O. Box 115, Kumbo N.W. Region, Cameroon
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. Fredrik Hansen, J.C.D. Bishop of Oslo
Rev. Bjørn Tao Quoc Nguyen Vocations Director Oslo Katolske Bispedømme Akersveien 5, 0177 Oslo Phone: 23 21 95 00
Most Rev. David A. Zubik, D.D. Bishop of Pittsburgh
Rev. Kenneth Dominik Vocations Director 2900 Noblestown Road Pittsburgh, PA 15205 Phone: 412-456-3048
Most Rev. James T. Ruggieri, D.D. Bishop of Portland
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. Matthew A. Kiehl 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. Richard Prior, Jr. Director of Seminarian Formation 240 E. Onondaga Street Syracuse, NY 13202 Phone: 315-470-1490
Most Rev. William E. Koenig, D.D. Bishop of Wilmington
Very Rev. John T. Solomon 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:
Very Rev. William J. Sullivan, O.SS.T. Minister Provincial and Director of Vocations
Rev. Joshua Warshak, O.SS.T. Vocations Director
Holy Trinity Monastery P.O. Box 1828 1400 Underwood Road Sykesville, MD 21784 Phone: 410-486-5171
Our phone system is currently unable to receive external calls. For the quickest response, please contact us by email.