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.
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 Center for Continuing Formation offers and hosts a variety of continuing formation programs for priests in the spirit of the Bishops’ Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests.
Participants enjoy:
View/download a one-page flyer for the 2023-2024 onsite clergy programs.
Thursday
October 26, 2023
1:30-4:30 pm edt | Onsite and Online (for later viewing)
Preaching Advent is a workshop for priests and deacons to share resources and ideas for preparing homilies for the upcoming Sundays of Advent (Year B). Faculty members from St. Mary’s Seminary and other institutions will give presentations on the liturgical and scriptural themes of the Advent season and facilitate a group discussion.
More information…
January 18, 2024
1:30-4:30 pm est | Onsite and Online (for later viewing)
Preaching Lent is a workshop for priests and deacons to share resources and ideas for preparing homilies for the upcoming Sundays of Lent (Year B). Faculty members from St. Mary’s Seminary and other institutions will give presentations on the liturgical and scriptural themes of the Lenten season and facilitate a group discussion.
Sunday-Friday
November 5-10, 2023
6-Day Onsite Conference
The Center’s most popular program. For newly minted pastors or pastors soon to be appointed.
Learn more about the New Pastors Program
January 21-26, 2024
New program! Supporting the journey of priests who have been ordained 1-3 years.
Learn more about the Conference for Recently Ordained
May 12-17, 2023
6-Day Onsite Retreat
An annual event. For priests sixty-five year old or older. Come away and be refreshed.
Learn more about the Retreat for Senior Priests
available September 25, 2023
4-6 Session Courses (Synchronous and Asynchronous
New program! Three levels, placement determined by pre-assessment diagnostic. Individual instruction with lessons and feedback, in-person or online. Levels include: Basics, Lectionary/Prayers, or Homilies/Dialogue.
Learn more about Pronunciation for Pastors
Custom Designed
Designed with the priest himself. Each Sabbatical experience is different.
Learn more about Sabbaticals at St. Mary’s
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all package for presbyteral meetings, the Center offers to presbyteral leadership the possibility of designing specific programs to fit a diocese’s needs. The Center will work with diocesan directors and their commissions, construct and design a needs-particularized program, propose presenters to the diocese for its approval, and then contract with these presenters.
Contact the Center for additional details