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.
Stay connected with St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute after graduation through alumni resources, newsletters, events, library access, discounted audit opportunities, EI apparel, diploma frames, and transcript request information.
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.
Join this three-day, seven-session conference led by five outstanding presenters exploring the hierarchies of spiritual fatherhood in pastoral ministry. During the three-day program participants will be immersed in the pastoral, spiritual, theological, liturgical and psychological dimensions of the priesthood.
Dates: Monday – Wednesday, Nov. 16-18, 2026 Arrive: Monday, 4 p.m. Depart: Wednesday, 3 p.m. Cost: $475 Overnight Stay (Includes all meals, room stay, use of the grounds, and facilities) $275 Commuter Rate (Includes all meals)
View/Download the event flyer.
Schedule
Registration Deadline: Monday, November 2, 2026
Father Bradley, a priest of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham (UK) is an assistant professor of Canon Law at The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. He is a participant in the international research project, “Anglican Traditions in the Catholic Church.” He is published in a number of canonical and liturgical journals as well as reading music, theology and canon law at the universities of Bristol, Oxford and London. He earned a doctorate in canon law from The Catholic University of America and is completing a doctorate in Liturgical Studies and Sacramental Theology at the University of Vienna, Austria.
Father Gahl is associate professor in the Busch School of Business at the Catholic University of America and Director of the Church Management Program. He is also associate professor of Ethics in the School of Philosophy of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. He also taught courses at Harvard, MIT and Italy’s Center for Advanced Defense Studies. Ordained to the priesthood by St. John Paul II, Father Gahl has published on the narrative structure of the moral life, cognitive behavioral therapy, corporate social behavior and Catholic social doctrine.
Mr. Nichols, president and founder of the St. John Paul II Foundation since 2014, is an educator and non-profit executive. He is popular speaker and successful writer, recently authoring the 4th edition of the Handbook on Critical Life Issues. Mr. Nichols earned a B.A. in philosophy from Texas A&M, an M.Div. in Theology from University of St. Thomas, and pursued doctoral studies in bioethics at Regina Apostolorum in Rome. He leads the St. John Paul II Foundation as it serves, educates and supports medical professionals, married couples and clergy.
Dr. Paris, a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Virginia, specializes in trauma-focused modalities. Dr. Paris has experience working in community mental health agencies, university counseling centers, psychiatric hospitals and the U.S. intelligence community. Dr. Paris is an adjunct faculty member in the psychology program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and at Divine Mercy University. With masters and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from Divine Mercy University, he also holds a masters in theology from the Augustine Institute and has over a decade of experience in the formation of Catholic missionaries with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students.
Mr. Toscano is Senior Fellow, director of the Family First Technology Initiative for the Institute for Family Studies, which was awarded a Heritage Innovation Prize in recognition of his efforts to advance laws nationwide to make technology safer for kids. He is a leader of the “Future for the Family” movement and his writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, The New York Post, National Affairs, First Things, Compact, The American Conservative, National Review, and elsewhere. He is co-author with Peter Wood of “What Does Bowdoin Teach? How a Liberal Arts College Shapes Students.”
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