Forming the Heart of a Shepherd

“The goal of pastoral formation is to form shepherds of God’s People.”

– PPF 6, no 367

Serving as a House of Formation

“Listen to the Lord, walk together, give witness.”

– Pope Francis

Providing Advanced Theological Education

“Intellectual formation centers on theology as a search for “an even deeper knowledge of the divine mysteries.”

– Pastores Dabo Vobis, no. 51

Have You Prayed for Us?

“The ministry of the priest is entirely on behalf of the church.”

– Pastores Dabo Vobis, no. 45

Our Mission

Priestly Formation and Theological Education

We are preparing men for the Roman Catholic priesthood in the Diocese of Cleveland and serving as a center for advanced theological education for ministerial service.

Recent News

See What’s Happening at Saint Mary Seminary

As a house of formation, seminarians engage in human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation. We invite you to be part of our story.

Summer/Fall 2024 

Welcome Master of Arts (Theology) and Continuing Education Students

For information or questions about registration, your schedule, or your tuition payments, please contact the Registrar’s office.
meeting in the library

Accreditations & Affiliatons

Founded in 1848

Incorporated in the State of Ohio on August 16, 1968

smiling group of men in suits

Vocations & Seminary

Program of Priestly Formation

Forming men of prayer, service, and holiness for God’s people

recent graduates

Graduate Degree Programs

Advanced Theological Education

A center for advanced theological education for ministerial service.

Kyle Lorek, MA (Theology), 2022

Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology enhanced my work as a Music Director and inspired me to use the theological knowledge to bring those I ministered to and with closer to God. The knowledge I obtained led me to new ways of strengthening the ministerial work that I do at the parish.

Kyle Lorek, MA (Theology), 2022

Music Director
SS. Robert & William Parish, Euclid

Debra Kacsala, MA (Theology), 2022

My time at the seminary was challenging, fruitful, faith-filled, and completely worth the time. It has guided and influenced how I approach religious education for children and I suspect it will continue to help me in any future ministry the Lord sends my way.

Debra Kacsala, MA (Theology), 2022

DRE-St. Cyprian Parish, Perry, OH

Fr. David M. Misbrener, DMin, 2022

It was a great joy and a challenge to return to the classroom after an absence of over 20 years. I needed to rejuvenate my priestly ministry, and the Doctor of Ministry program did that for me. Not only did it help strengthen my ministry in the service, but it helped return and renew a sense of joy in serving.

Fr. David M. Misbrener, DMin, 2022

Pastor
St. Jude Catholic Church, Columbiana, Ohio
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, East Palestine, Ohio

 

Deobrah Nemecek, MA (Theology), 2022

My theology degree from Saint Mary Seminary has enhanced my life in every possible way. The instructors, the resources, and the theological education brought an even greater depth of meaning not only to my volunteer work with those incarcerated, but to my patients that I care for as a nurse in Case Management.

Deobrah Nemecek, MA (Theology), 2022

Nurse Case Manager, UH;
Catholic Jail Ministry, Geauga Safety Center

 

Teresa Durbak Sipos, DMin, RN, MSED, LPC, 2022

The kind encouragement and many dedicated hours of the faculty greatly helped improve my writing skills and has opened many doors to speak. This Doctor of Ministry degree is just the beginning of a teaching ministry in the healthcare marketplace.

Teresa Durbak Sipos, DMin, RN, MSED, LPC, 2022

Trinity Counseling, Lancaster, OH

 

Sr. Katherine McCloskey

Saint Mary’s has helped form my heart to be bold in sharing the richness of our faith with people of diverse ages and backgrounds. I have consistently come across the capacity of children/teens to receive, understand, and live out convicting topics that I learned in graduate-level courses at Saint Mary’s.

Sr. Katherine Marie McCloskey, HMSS, MA (Theology), 2019

St. Michael the Archangel High School, Campus Ministry Assistant
Vocations Director, Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Baton Rouge, LA

 

Saint Mary Seminary Library

Supporting Study and Research

Our strong collection of materials—including more than 85,000 volumes, nearly 500 units of audio-visual media, and more than 18,000 bound and electronic journals—supports graduate research in theology at the Masters and Doctor of Ministry levels.