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.
St. Mary’s Center for Continuing Formation offers and hosts a variety of continuing formation programs for priests in the spirit of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Guide to Ongoing Formation of Priests (2023).
Participants enjoy:
View/download a the latest brochure booklet for 2024-2025 onsite clergy programs.
Wednesday-Thursday
March 11-12, 2026
Overnight Program with Accommodations Available
Arrival: Wednesday, 4:00 pm | Presentations, breaks, meals, social opportunities. | Departure: Thursday, 4:00 pm
Keynote Presentation: Most Rev. James Massa, Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn Title: “The Contemporary Challenges to Priestly Formation”
Major Presentation: Rev. Msgr. Paul McPartlan, Rector, Professor of Theology; Mater Ecclesiae College Title: “Lumen gentium and Presbyterorum ordinis“
Learn more and Register
Wednesday
May 6, 2026
9:30 am-4:00 pm edt
Suscitatio spiritus sacerdotalis: The Awakening of the Priestly Spirit.
“What does a seventeenth century endeavor of priestly renewal from the French School of Spirituality have to teach us in the twenty-first?”
The Most Rev. Erik Varden, Bishop of Trondheim, Norway was formerly the abbot of the Cisterican Abbey of St. Bernard in the UK. He is the first Norwegian to serve as the Roman Catholic Bishop of Trondheim in modern times. He is the author of several internationally recognized books on spirituality, including Healing Wounds: The 2025 Lent Book, Chastity: Reconciliation of the Senses, and The Shattering of Loneliness: On Christian Remembrance. Bishop Varden’s website is titled Coram fratribus intellexi (coramfratribus.com) after his episcopal motto.
Monday-Thursday
Coming in 2026
4-Day Onsite Conference / optional Day of Recollection
New program! Supporting the journey of priests who have been ordained 1-3 years.
Learn more about the Conference for Recently Ordained
Monday-Friday
November 2026
5-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
Beginning Monday-Thursday
4-Day Onsite Training Followed by 8 Online Sessions and Individual Resourcing/Consulation
A program for pastor-supervisors and their collaborators. We are pleased to offer a comprehensive formation program of training, resources, and ongoing consultation/support for pastor-supervisors and their collaborators as they accompany and supervise transitional deacons during the Vocational Synthesis Stage of their priestly formation.
Learn more about Forming Supervisors for Vocational Synthesis
4-Day Onsite Retreat
An annual event. For priests sixty-five year old or older. Come away and be refreshed. Whether you are anticipating, transitioning into, or living in retirement, this conference retreat provides you with the opportunities of practical wisdom and spiritual insights to enable you to flourish in this “Third Act” of priestly life.
Learn more about Embracing the Third Act
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. The core of the Sabbatical is the opportunity to audit classes in the School of Theology and St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute and to sit in on other offered programs during his Sabbatical time. Onsite spiritual direction is available.
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