Mission, History, Heritage
Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology
A Rich History and Heritage Rooted in Christ
Our mission is twofold: Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology of the Diocese of Cleveland prepares candidates for the Catholic priesthood while also serving as a center for advanced theological education. The Center for Pastoral Leadership, as a sign of the value we place on the universal call to ministry of all the baptized, comprises five formational and educational programs of the Diocese of Cleveland. Under the direction of the Council of Leaders, we strive to provide a setting for forming Christian men and women that authentically reflects the true collaborative nature of the whole Church and its ministries today (August 23, 1999).
Our Vision
Carrying on the Tradition of Priestly Formation
Our History and Heritage
The Cleveland Diocesan Seminary
The founding of Saint Mary Seminary nearly coincides with the founding of the Diocese of Cleveland, dating back to the consecration of the first Bishop of Cleveland—Bishop Amadeus Rappe—on October 10, 1847. Learn how Saint Mary Seminary became what it is today.


About the Seminary Coat of Arms
Discover the Significance
The Arms of Saint Mary Seminary are quartered with the basic colors and quarters of the Arms of Pope Pius IX, during whose pontificate the seminary was founded. Discover the meaning and significance of our coat of arms.