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.
Some courses are special single-session presentations, some are three sessions of recorded content plus an extra live discussion session (which will be recorded for later playback), and some courses have more than three sessions.
All courses will link to their own private web page which include:
Most courses are available and registration is now open.
Description This course is being offered to all ministry personnel (priests, deacons, lay ecclesial ministers, other parish leaders). Dr. Barnabas Aspray applies his particular interest in theology to the reality of migrants, refugees, and modern society’s response to them today. In this single session, he looks to the experience of Jesus as a refugee for insight to our current experiences.
Presenter Dr. Barnabas Aspray Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore
Dr. Aspray brings a special research interest in the theological implications of migrants and refugees in the modern world. He also hosts a podcast called “Faith at the Frontiers.”
Sessions 1 Session
Cost $50
Description Many deacons have responsibility for parish RCIA processes or sacramental preparation programs. This course examines ways the deacon can more effectively guide sponsors and candidates on their faith journeys.
Presenter Rev. Mr. Lawrence Sutton, Ph.D. Director of Pre-Theology Formation, Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, PA
Sessions 3 Sessions plus 1 live/recorded discussion session with the presenter
Cost $200
Description Most deacons come into their ministry and exercise it as a married person. They live through the peaks and valleys, graces and challenges of family life. This course examines the ways the deacon brings his experience of marriage and family into a more effective ministry in his diaconal role.
Presenter Deacon Frank Laws St. Stephen Parish, Bradshaw, MD
Description This course is being offered to all ministry personnel (priests, deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers). Dr. Lawrence Sutton is the author of How to Welcome, Include, and Catechize Children with Autism and Other Special Needs: A Parish-Based Approach and Teaching Students with Autism in a Catholic Setting. In this course, he brings his expertise to address all ministers, inviting us to explore the challenges and opportunities of ministry with persons with autism.
Cost $150
Description Good preparation is absolutely necessary to the office of those entrusted with the responsibility of giving homilies, and it begins even before reading the lectionary’s scriptures for that day.
This course will discuss strategies for preparation and delivery that will ease the jitters and hopefully provide a better, more enriching experience for those in the pews. Among the topics we’ll discuss will be – getting our hearts right, trying to reach those people “you just can’t reach,” the rule of primacy and recency, empathic delivery, two heads or more are better than one, and how to find that good story.
Sessions 3 Sessions (2 more to be added soon)
Description This course will explore how necessary on-going formation is critical to keeping a balance between our marriage and family responsibilities (our first vocation), the work we do in the world to support and care for our households, and seeking to be a faithful and effective minister of Word and Sacrament to, with, by, and for the people of God.
Presenter Deacon Larry Matheny St. Ignatius Parish, Ijamsville, MD
Sessions 5 Sessions
Session 1—Definitions and Discoveries Who we are and where we are called to minister. Overview of the pillars of on-going formation (Personal, Intellectual, Spiritual and Pastoral); review of other sessions.
Session 2—Personal Pillar of Formation “Physician know thyself.” Exploring how we care for our own selves (body, spirit and soul). Introduction of stress and trauma, and how if effects the body. Strategies for managing stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, etc. How do I keep myself in balance?
Session 3—Intellectual Pillar of Formation “Teach me your paths, O Lord.” What have I learned, what do I need to learn; how do I establish a plan to increase my knowledge and understanding of scripture, church teaching, ministry, etc.
Session 4—Spiritual Pillar of formation “Be still, and know that I am God!” Patterns of prayer life, retreat/recollection, deepening prayer movements (lectio, meditatio, oratio, contemplatio) achieving more balance in prayer life. Becoming more observant of god’s movement in daily life; pastoral reflection as the precursor to homiletics.
Session 5—Where we find ourselves in diaconal ministry “Better to light one candle, than to curse the darkness.” Understanding and responding to the context of ministry in a world fraught with strife , division and upheaval. Plus: mapping out my personal strategy to stay balanced; knowing when I am out of balance; recovery of balance.