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.
As advanced Spanish is required for effective Hispanic ministry, the track places a special emphasis on the seminarians’ linguistic preparation. Prior to acceptance into the track, the seminarian must sit for an in-house program-specific test in Spanish. In addition to assessing whether or not a seminarian is qualified for the track, the test will also provide an indication as to any need for additional tutoring in Spanish.
Seminarians intended by their dioceses for the track who have not studied Spanish at high school or college (or have only limited Spanish studies) should attend a summer immersion course or its equivalent before sitting for the test. SMSU will provide recommendations on such programs if needed. Native-Spanish speaking seminarians are obliged to sit for the test, but may be excused from courses in Pastoral Spanish. Seminarians who have completed more advanced studies in Spanish, during pre-theology or before entering formation, may take the test without a summer immersion program.
During the specialized track, seminarians will take two 3-credit courses in Pastoral Spanish (in Theology I and Theology IV) and complete a 6-week summer immersion course at MACC.
Theology 1—Spring Semester
Summer Before Entering Theology 3
Theology 4—Spring Semester
The diverse social, cultural, economic, and pastoral reality that is the Hispanic Catholic community in the United States necessitates that priests engaged in Hispanic ministry are truly familiar with the community and its pastoral and other challenges and needs.
Priests engaged in Hispanic ministry in the United States must further possess significant competency in intercultural ministry. The specialized track will, therefore, include a general course on intercultural ministry. In addition, the seminarians will—as all seminarians at St. Mary’s—participate in the seminary-wide workshops on intercultural competency.
Theology 1—After Spring Semester
Theology 2—Fall / Theology 2—Spring
During the third year of theology at St. Mary’s, the seminarians will be given pastoral internships in a Hispanic context. These internships will provide the seminarians with supervised ministry experience related to catechesis (First Communion/Confirmation/Christian Initiation of Adults) in parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
In addition to these two specific “Hispanic Pastoral Internships,” the seminarians on the track will be encouraged to continuously engage with Hispanic ministry throughout their four years of theology. This applies notably to any pastoral placements in their home diocese.
Theology 3—Fall Semester
Theology 3—Spring Semester