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.
Members of the St. Mary’s community have an impact far beyond our Baltimore location. These are some of the latest examples.
Drs. Eric Mabry and Innocent Smith, O.P. were presenters at Villanova University’s 46th International Patristic, Medieval, and Renaissance Conference (PMR). The conference was held October 15-17, 2021 on the theme “Cum Dilatasti Cor Meum: Knowledge, Affect, and the Dilation of the Heart.”
Fr. Innocent presented on “Beauty, Devotion, and the Medieval Liturgy” during the session on Beauty and Emotion in Christian Material Culture.
Dr. Eric Mabry presented on “Paratum cor meum, Deus: Christological Affectivity in Medieval Exegesis of the Psalms” during a session on Medieval Exegesis. He also chaired the session on the Theology of Bonaventure.
Fr. William Burton, O.F.M., S.T.D. is presenting an adult formation series on “Paul & the Early Church” at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Charles Street, Baltimore. The 4-part series takes place on the first four Tuesday evenings of November.
St. Mary’s own music director, Samuel Rowe, directed the Schola Cantorum at First Vespers of All Saints at the Baltimore Basilica on Sunday, October 31. See fb.me/e/KvakrABu.
On November 15, St. Mary’s Seminary & University collaborated with Saint Luke Institute to host an evening for Bishops during their November meeting in Baltimore. St. Mary’s President Rector, Rev. Phillip Brown, P.S.S. and Saint Luke’s CEO, Rev. David Songy, O.F.M. Cap. gave brief presentations during the dinner. St. Mary’s was also represented by six seminarians.
St. Mary’s already partners with Saint Luke Institute on a number of initiatives including candidate assessments, counseling, and human formation. Several Saint Luke staff members have done workshops in pastoral skills for seminarians and resourcing for faculty and formators.
Dr. Michael Gorman, Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology, attended the Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting in San Antonio, TX from November 20-23. He was a respondent in a session devoted to Pauline Theology, specifically the meaning of justice in the letters of Paul.
See last month’s “On the Road”…
April 23, 2024 | Ecumenical Institute News, St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute
November 2021
Read More
April 22, 2024 | Ecumenical Institute News, St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute