We Celebrate a Fruitful Academic Year and Look Ahead with Renewed Vision

We at the Pastoral Formation Institute (PFI) concluded another academic year on Tuesday 17th June 2025, having accompanied over 2,000 applicants across 78 course occurrences—an increase from last year’s 1,052 participants across 28 courses.

The evening began with a Thanksgiving Mass, presided over by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi, followed by a moment of communion between our students, lecturers, and staff. This gathering beautifully encapsulated the spirit and journey of the past year.

A Year of Growth and Renewal

Throughout this academic year, we continued to build on the strong foundations established in previous years, while also embracing a spirit of renewal. Our courses spanned a wide range of themes, including Scripture and Theology, Spirituality and Pastoral Care, Liturgy and Ministry, Safeguarding, and Formation.

We remained committed to delivering skills-based micro-credentials—short, targeted courses that certify specific skills—primarily in Maltese, with English-language options available upon request. Whether through traditional in-person classes, hybrid formats that allow participation both in person and via Zoom, or self-paced learning through our virtual learning environment, we strive to meet participants where they are.

This commitment was supported by a significant investment in resources, including a revamped recording studio with upgraded equipment and an enhanced lecture centre. The centre now features three additional classrooms. All classrooms are fully air-conditioned and equipped with streaming and audio-visual technology, enabling students to join lectures online and ensuring a comfortable and engaging learning experience for all.

We also welcomed two new team members, bringing fresh energy and ideas. Our team continues to grow as a young and dynamic group ready to serve with enthusiasm and innovation.

Looking Ahead

During our End of Year celebration, we proudly launched our new prospectus, reaffirming our mission to form lay leaders who are both faithful and forward-thinking. This launch represented more than just a presentation of courses—it marked a renewed commitment to the Church’s call for deep pastoral renewal.

As the Second Vatican Council reminds us:

“The laity are made sharers in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly functions of Christ.”

And as Pope Francis writes in Evangelii Gaudium:

“A Church capable of transforming everything so that our customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channelled for the evangelisation of today’s world.”

This vision continues to guide our educational mission as we look ahead to the 2025/26 academic year. The coming year will feature both new and returning courses, designed to meet the evolving needs of our communities and to support our commitment to cultivating agile, creative, and Gospel-rooted individuals ready to engage in deep pastoral renewal. These courses will cover themes such as Creative Ministry, Deepening Faith, Pastoral Skills, Ethics and Society, and Technology and Faith.

Together, these offerings reflect our dedication to forming thoughtful, spiritually grounded, and socially engaged leaders for the Church and the world.

Click here to explore PFI’s new 2025/2026 prospectus. For more information contact the Pastoral Formation Institute on [email protected], 2590 6514/6 or 7920 1358.