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.
New Program. Three levels, placement determined by pre-assessment diagnostic. Individualized instruction with lessons and feedback, in-person or online.
Each course will be six weeks long and will include both asynchronous and synchronous elements. Students should expect to spend 4-6 hours a week, which include lessons, feedback, and 30-60 minutes of real-time individualized instruction per week. Individualized instruction will occur either in-person or via Zoom, depending on students’ schedules and preferences. At enrollment, students will take a diagnostic which will determine which level would be most appropriate for the student.
Cost: $750 per six week session
This course will work through six detailed lessons, which include video and interactive software, to cover the following topics: Individual Sounds, Syllables and Word Endings, Word Stress, Sentence Stress and Thought Groups, Linking and Blending, Focus and Intonation. Students will record themselves with easy-to-use technology and will meet with the instructor on a weekly basis.
This course will focus on proclamation skills, with an emphasis on thought groups, intonation, and focus words. Students will practice proclaiming various genres contained in the lectionary as well as common prayers, including Eucharistic Prayers, required in ministry. Students will record themselves with easy-to-use technology and will meet with the instructor on a weekly basis.
This course will focus on North American conventions for homilies and will review pronunciation strategies clear preaching and effective dialogue. The course will review important concepts such as thought groups, sentence stress, and intonation. Looking at readings from various points in the liturgical calendar, students will analyze homilies as well as receive feedback on their pronunciation for their own homilies. Students will record themselves with easy-to-use technology and will meet with the instructor on a weekly basis.
Director of Language Resources and Intercultural Integration Assistant Professor of English and Culture
Emily Hicks came to St. Mary’s in 2012 as Coordinator of Academic Resources for International Students and lecturer in English. Ms. Hicks has a passion for international students and their successful preparation for priestly ministry in the U.S. context. In addition to the classes she teaches, she assesses the academic needs of incoming international students; tutors international seminarians weekly in writing, grammar, and accent modification; leads academic integrity workshops; and offers workshops for the St. Mary’s community to strengthen intercultural relationships and effective communication.
A graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville in Steubenville, Ohio with a major in English and a minor in education, she began her teaching journey at the Language and Catechetical Institute in Gaming, Austria, while serving in a missionary capacity, teaching English skills to students preparing for theological studies. She earned her English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Teaching Certificate there and also did graduate work at the International Theological Institute on Studies on Marriage and Family in the same city.
In 2018, Ms. Hicks earned the Master of Arts in Theology from St. Mary’s through the Ecumenical Institute, receiving the Robert S. Leavitt Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theological Studies. In 2022, she completed the S.T.L. at St. Mary’s School of Theology.
A mother of seven, Ms. Hicks enjoys spending time with her family and the great outdoors.
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