St. Mary's Seminary & University
| St. Mary's Seminary & University | |
|---|---|
| Short name | St. Mary's |
| Type | Seminary and University |
| Status | Active |
| Religious order | Society of St. Sulpice (Sulpicians) |
| City | Baltimore |
| Country | United States |
| Founded | 1791 |
| Website | Official site |
| Levels of formation | Propaedeutic Stage, Theology (School of Theology) |
| Degrees | Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theology, Master of Arts in Christian Ministries, Doctor of Ministry, Certificate of Advanced Studies in Theology, Certificate in Biblical Studies |
| Interdiocesan | Yes |
St. Mary's Seminary & University is a Roman Catholic seminary and graduate school of theology in Baltimore, founded in 1791 and described by the institution as the first Roman Catholic seminary in the nation. It prepares candidates for the diocesan priesthood in the Sulpician tradition, and through its Ecumenical Institute offers graduate theological education to students of all denominations.
History
St. Mary's Seminary has adhered to the Sulpician Tradition of priestly formation since 1791. It is located on the historic grounds of the original St. Mary's Seminary in downtown Baltimore. St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute was founded in 1968 by St. Mary's Seminary & University in cooperation with ecumenical leaders. The Associated Archives at St. Mary's Seminary & University opened in the spring of 2002, bringing 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).
Campus and Formation
Formation at St. Mary's follows the Sulpician tradition. St. Mary's Propaedeutic Stage implements the vision of the Program for Priestly Formation (6th edition) and takes place in the McGivney House on the seminary's historic grounds; it welcomes candidates from all dioceses and is not limited to those destined for St. Mary's Seminary & University. The Marion Burk Knott Library is described as the largest specialized theological library in the Baltimore area, receiving over 390 periodicals and maintaining a collection of 20,000 volumes of bound periodicals, along with newspapers, microfilm, and audio-visual materials.
Academics
St. Mary's School of Theology forms part of priestly formation through the pursuit of academic degrees. The seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. St. Mary's has established a specialized track in Hispanic ministry for those preparing for ministry in-part or in-full dedicated to that community. Through the Ecumenical Institute, the seminary offers the Master of Arts in Christian Ministries, the Master of Arts in Theology, a Certificate in Biblical Studies, a post-master's Certificate of Advanced Studies in Theology, and a Doctor of Ministry program.
Current Status
St. Mary's continues to offer seminary formation and Ecumenical Institute programs, including current Fall 2026 course schedules. Its Center for Continuing Formation provides ongoing formation programs for bishops, priests, deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers, and the campus hosts conference space rentals.