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.
The Center for Continuing Formation was built by St. Mary’s in 1996 in response to the teaching on the priesthood and priestly formation of St. John Paul II. The pastoral emphasis and spirit of St. Mary’s Seminary today is perfectly expressed in The Center for Continuing Formation. Here, we offer special programs each year for pastors, newly ordained priests, and senior priests. We also host various bishops’ meetings, ecumenical gatherings, and other conferences as well. The New Pastors Program, held every November, is the most popular priest program we offer.
Building on the directives in the Program for Priestly Formation (6th edition) and the Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests (USCCB, 2023), the Center has continued to expand its initiatives. Its offerings also include distance learning programs of varying lengths for priests. Programs for deacons and lay ecclesial ministers are offered as well.
The Center, which adjoins the main seminary building and yet provides great privacy, is a thirty thousand square foot facility with thirty private, three star guest rooms and suites, and a variety of conferencing space and small meeting rooms. The Center also has an oratory and private chapel as well as its own dining room.
The Program of Priestly Formation (6th edition) offers a renewed vision of the final stage of preparation for the priesthood. This requires a refocused set of skills and understanding for pastor-supervisors…inspiring this creative new program from The Center for Continuing Formation. The special program combines a 4-day onsite seminar with 8 follow-up Zoom sessions, print/digital resources and ongoing consultation/support.
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St. Mary’s Center for Continuing Formation offers a complete Distance Learning program for Continuing Formation opportunities. The program includes courses for priests, deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers. It includes asynchronous video sessions as well as opportunities for group discussion with the presenters. Most courses are three sessions of recorded content plus the extra live (and recorded) discussion session. Some courses will be single-session presentations with audio-only podcast options.
St. Mary’s Center for Continuing Formation offers and hosts a variety of continuing formation programs for priests in the spirit of the U.S. Bishops’ Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests. Programs include conference/retreats for recently ordained, international, and senior priests; hybrid programs with both onsite and online components, and the annual “New Pastors Program. Also: sabbaticals and special programs for presbyteral groups.”
Review the Offerings
Occasional other onsite programs for special groups/communities; for example, healthcare providers.
Review Other Programs
View/Download a Brochure.
The Center has a variety of options for gatherings of small staffs to large conferences, including thirty spacious guest rooms and several chapels suitable for individual prayer or large liturgies. Food service is available. Exercise facilities and several walking paths through the 40-acre private campus offer recreation, relaxation, or meditation.
Explore the Possibilities
St. Mary’s Seminary & University’s Pinkard Scholars is the cornerstone of Youth Theological Studies at SMSU. The program admits high school juniors admitted to a challenging course, RLST235: Thinking Theologically: Christian Hope in Today’s World. Students explore and increase their understanding of God and the existence of evil, the person and work of Jesus Christ, humanity, sin, grace, and hope and the application of theology to a contemporary cultural problem.
Find specific contact information for programs, space rentals, etc.
Directions to the Center for Continuing Formation.
“Ongoing formation helps the priest to be and act as a priest in the spirit and style of Jesus the Good Shepherd.” Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation PASTORES DABO VOBIS of St. John Paul II to the Bishops, Clergy and Faithful on the Formation of Priests