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.
Registered Seminary and Ecumenical Institute students, as well as faculty and staff, have full library privileges. St. Mary’s also has reciprocal borrowing privileges with select area colleges. The library is open for any visitors to use the facility on site. Community members who wish may purchase a yearly library card to check out materials.
Community patrons are asked to use the library entrance, on the far right side of the building, using the buzzer located by the door. Durring class sessions, EI students are asked to use the main/front door entrance. There is no entrance for the disabled directly into the library from outside; however, arrangements may be made to enter the building by previous arrangement.
Cards are issued at the circulation desk upon completion of a registration form and verification of status. To borrow books, library patrons must have their card. Cardholders should not lend their card to others, since they are responsible for all materials checked out on their cards.
Circulating books may be renewed if no one else has requested them. They may be renewed over the phone, or in person at the circulation desk, and in some cases online. All student materials are due back in the library by the close of each semester. Reserve books may be borrowed for use in the library for a period of three (3) hours unless the instructor has specified other terms. They may be renewed for an additional three-hour period if no one else has requested them. Reserve books do not leave the library unless the instructor personally has contacted the staff directly with such instructions.
Audio-visual items may also be renewed if there are no other patron requests. Periodicals, reference works, theses, and items published prior to 1900 are not available for circulation.
A fine of 25 cents per day per book is charged for overdue books; a fine of $1.00 per day is charged for A/V or CD-ROM works. Fines are paid at the circulation desk. Non-payment of fines will result in suspension of library privileges. One notice will be sent for items about to become overdue, and two notices (over two weeks) will be sent once items are past their due date. If items are not returned within the two weeks following the final notice, a bill will be sent for replacement costs. The library does not assume responsibility for receipt of notices. The names of students with outstanding books and/or fines will be sent to the Registrar at the end of the semester. Grades will not be available and registration for a new term will not be processed until the bill and/or fines are paid. Students with outstanding library books or fines may not graduate.
Lost books are the responsibility of the patron on whose card the books were charged out. The cardholder responsible for lost books will be charged the replacement cost per book plus overdue fines and a processing fee. The replacement cost for out-of-print books will be $100.00 or replacement cost of the book plus fees.
Borrowers will be charged for materials which are returned damaged. Borrowers may not write in books, turn down page corners, attach post-it notes, highlight, or underline in books or journals. Borrowers will be financially responsible for loss or damage to materials while checked out, including replacement costs if necessary.
A photocopier is available for use in the library. Personal copies may be made through the use of change, bills, or a copy card. Change and copy cards may be obtained at the circulation desk. Copies are 10 cents per page. Although change is available for bills of small denominations ($10.00 or less), change for bills of larger denominations cannot be guaranteed. Patrons are responsible for obeying copyright laws.
Eight computers are located in the reading room for student use. The computers permit access to the library catalog, the Internet, and a variety of reference tools. All computers are also equipped for word processing. Wi-fi is available in the library for students with laptops. The library staff will gladly advise and guide students in the use of electronic research resources; they cannot, however, assist with word-processing matters. At busy times, the staff may limit the time a student may spend on the computers, in order to assure that others may use them.
Knott library offers a number of electronic research resources located on the library’s website. Because of licensing restrictions, remote access to databases is limited to registered students, faculty and staff. However, remote access to the online catalog is available through the internet.
St Mary’s students and faculty may request materials from other libraries via interlibrary loan. The service is free, but if the lending library charges a fee, it will be passed on to the patron. Patrons should provide as much information (author, title, date of publication) as possible when filling out the online ILL form. When requested materials arrive, the staff will notify the patron. Materials may be picked up at the Circulation Desk. They should be returned directly to a member of the staff with the statement that the items are on interlibrary loan. The due date for books on loan is determined by the lending library.