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.
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.
October 18-19, 2023
If you would like to concelebrate the Alumni Day Mass, the Archdiocese of Baltimore requires a Letter of Suitability so that you can receive event faculties for Alumni Day Mass. Please send letter to the Archdiocese Office of Clergy Personnel at clergy@archbalt.org no later than October 11, 2023. A template for the Letter of Suitability from your home diocese can be found here.
Please bring an alb and a white stole. Vesting rooms will be available on the first floor.
Download a copy of the registration brochure for events at St. Mary’s here.
Knott Library Expansion
Including the Raymond E. Brown Center; the Associated Archives of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the Society of St. Sulpice and St. Mary’s Seminary & University; a state-of-the-art Pastoral Communications Studio.
Historic Paca Street Tour
On September 8th 2012, the Historic Seminary Chapel at Paca Street was officially opened, the newly restored Chapel with its modern amenities including new lighting, HVAC, ADA access to the nave along with a new marble altar and sanctuary flooring. The chapel was referred to as a “real jewel” of the Seton Hill Historic Neighborhood. As part of your SMSU Alumni day, come and visit the site “where it all began”!
St. Mary’s has a very limited number of guest rooms available. To reserve a room in the Seminary or the Center for Continuing Formation ($100/night), call Victoria Gaunt at 410-864-4102 or e-mail at vgaunt@stmarys.edu.
Rooms have also been reserved at special rates at the following area hotel. These must be reserved prior to 9/18/2023 to guarantee this rate. Call the phone number listed below. (Please check back later for updates on hotel information for 2023 Alumni Days, including Marriott’s online reservation system.)
Delta Hotels by Marriott Baltimore North (formerly Radisson Hotel at Cross Keys) $149 per night single/double 410-532-6900 To reserve a room online, please click here.
Prices do not include tax. Please mention you are a St. Mary’s or St. Charles alumnus attending Alumni Day when you make your reservation in order to receive the special rate. A limited number of rooms are available at these rates.
Below are some homilies from former president-rector, Rev. Robert F. Leavitt, P.S.S.:
View/download the latest issue of Class Notes.
Keep your classmates and St. Mary’s informed of your recent activities. Complete the Alumni Update Form: