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’s most popular program returns.
The 2025 New Pastors Program will be held November 10-14, 2025 at the Center for Continuing Formation on St. Mary’s Campus. This conference is for newly minted pastors or for priests who will soon be appointed to the pastorate. “Becoming a Pastor” is not just a change in title or role, but a time to acquire new skills.
The five-day program includes sessions on:
Plan for 2025! New Pastors Program will be held November 10-14, 2025.
Cost: $1,550.00 (room and board included)
Registration Deadline: October 27, 2025 (Note: this program has historically sold-out before the deadline date).
Rev. Msgr. Roger E. McGrath, Ph.D. Diocese of Camden
Msgr. Roger McGrath, of the Diocese of Camden, was ordained in 1971 and has served in parish ministry, seminary formation and diocesan administration. He received his doctorate in systematic theology from Notre Dame. In Camden, he served as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Religious Education and directed the offices of pastoral planning, communications, evangelization and development. He taught systematic theology and was vice rector at St. Mary’s Seminary and University. After serving as vice rector at Theological College, he returned to Camden as pastor of Our Lady of Grace in Somerdale, NJ, served as vicar general and moderator of the curia and, finally as pastor of Saints Peter and Paul in Turnersville, NJ until his retirement in 2019.
Msgr. McGrath celebrated his 50th anniversary as a priest in 2021.
Past participants and current registrants include:
(2025 Schedule will be posted in early Fall 2025)
Diane L. Barr, J.D., J.C.D., Ph.D. Chancellor Archdiocese of Baltimore
presenting: Documentary Responsibilities
Rev. Phillip J. Brown, J.D., J.C.D. President-Rector St. Mary’s Seminary & University
Welcoming
Rev. Msgr. Richard Bozzelli, J.D. Pastor St. Bernadine Church (Archdiocese of Baltimore)
presenting: Civil Law and Pastoral Administration
Rev. Patrick M. Carrion Pastor St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Baltimore MD (Archdiocese of Baltimore)
presenting: Budget and Finance I / II
Rev. Gerard Francik Pastor Sacred Heart Parish, Glyndon MD (Archdiocese of Baltimore)
presenting: Pastoral and Finance Councils and Staff / Stewardship and Fundraising
Pat Fossarelli, M.D., D.Min. Adjunct Instructor of Pastoral Theology St. Mary’s Seminary & University
presenting: Stress (Physical and Spiritual Self-Care) / Pastor’s Role in Catechesis / Male and Female Created
Rev. Msgr. Fredrik Hansen, J.C.L. Dean of Seminarians, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Studies St. Mary’s Seminary & University
presenting: Canonical Role of the Pastor
Rev. Edward S. Hendricks Pastor Divine Mercy Parish, Frostburg MD (Archdiocese of Baltimore)
presenting: Pastoring More Than One Parish I / II
Rev. Thomas R. Hurst, P.S.S., Ph.D. Adjunct Faculty, Sacred Scripture St. Mary’s Seminary & University
presenting: Peter: A Transformed Shepherd / Reflection on the Great Commission and Sending Forth Prayer
Mr. Nolan McCoy Director, Facilities Management & Real Estate Archdiocese of Baltimore
presenting: Physical Plant Audit and Responsibilities
Ms. Margaret M. Myers Director of Mission Divine Mercy Parish, Frostburg MD (Archdiocese of Baltimore)
Mrs. Elizabeth Visconage, B.S. Senior Vice President of Administration and Advancement St. Mary’s Seminary & University
presenting: Parish Staffs and Personnel Management
For more information, contact:
Center for Continuing Formation St. Mary’s Seminary and University 5400 Roland Avenue Baltimore, MD 21210 410-864-4102
center (at) stmarys.edu