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.
The regular registration period for current students is March 16th through March 27th 2026. Beginning March 28th, a $90 late-registration fee will go into effect for current students. (The late fee does not apply to new students, auditors, or to students returning after 3+ years.)
Summer courses run from 5/15/2026 through 7/31/26. See our EI Calendar/Year at a Glance for details.
*All classes, except where noted, will be available as dual synchronous access courses. Students can opt to attend either in person or online (via Zoom), and will choose their primary mode of attendance at registration.
PR = Prerequisite; CR = Co-requisite
BIBL660 First Corinthians 6 – 9 p.m. on the following Mondays and Thursdays: May 21 and 28; June 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, and 25. Dr. Michael J. Gorman A careful historical/social, literary/rhetorical, and theological analysis of Paul’s first canonical letter to the Corinthians as a letter that addresses both the ancient and the modern church, with special attention to such topics as Christ crucified as divine power and wisdom, counter-imperial existence, church unity, social status and social justice, holiness and sexual ethics, freedom and responsibility, love, worship, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection of the dead. Full Course Description Coming Soon.
THEO692 Faith and Fiction 6 – 9 p.m. Tuesdays: May 19 and 26; June 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30; July 7, 14 and 21 Dr. Brent Laytham and the EI Faculty This course explores theological and ethical dimensions of popular fictions, including short stories, novels, and movies. Each week the class analyzes and interprets one fiction using theological categories, asking both how faith illuminates our reading of the ‘text,’ and how this fiction contributes to our understanding of God and the world. It is a summer faculty book club, of sorts, with a different member of the EI faculty teaching a favorite novel or movie each week. The course is convened and coordinated by Dr. Brent Laytham. Full Course Description Coming Soon.
MNST500 Introduction to Ministry 6 – 9 p.m. on the following Mondays and Thursdays: May 21 and 28; June 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, and 25. Dr. Pat Fosarelli A survey of the biblical, theological, and spiritual foundations of ministry, of the expression of lay and ordained ministry in various Christian traditions, and of ministerial ethics. Required: MACM. (formerly PT601. Students who have successfully completed PT601 will not receive credit for this course.) PR=None Full Course Description Coming Soon.
MNST510 Spiritual Formation I, MNST511 Spiritual Formation II, MNST512 Spiritual Formation III The first, second, and third of three modules of required experiential learning. These 1-credit modules are guided learning experiences that integrate deepened spiritual practice with ministerial identity. They are sequential and should be taken in three successive semesters unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Required: MACM. This course is offered on a pass/fail basis only. Permission required.
MNST520 Mentored Ministry Mentored Ministry is a series of three practica taken in consecutive semesters beginning, during or immediately following MNST500 Introduction to Ministry. Students complete the practica in their current ministry setting with an appropriate supervisor. Required: MACM. PR=MNST500
DM815 Enculturating Ministry (DMin students only) July 13-16 from 8:30-4:30 daily Dr. Emily Ralph Servant Effective ministry incarnates the mission of God in the specific context and culture(s) in which the minister serves. This course will explore the influence of culture on religious experience and expression, provide opportunities for research and reflection on the intersections among cultures in the student’s ministry context, and equip the student with skills for intercultural listening, leading, and relationship-building in an environment of mutual respect and transformation. Full Course Description Coming Soon.
THEO622 Theology, Power, & the Common Good (online only) Thursday, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Dr. Eric J. Freeman This is the final course in a year-long cohort: National Civic Engagement & Moral Leadership Fellows. This capstone seminar equips civic, corporate, and nonprofit leaders to engage with systems of power with theological clarity and moral courage, integrating biblical wisdom, ethical analysis, and public leadership. Building on prior coursework in moral leadership (Fall 2025) and public vocation (Spring 2026), this course examines the theological foundations of power, the structural dynamics of injustice, and the formative practices that sustain ethical leadership in service of the common good. Enrollment by permission only. Full course description coming soon.