Currently Offered

Introduction to Gregorian Chant Notation: Reading, Understanding, and Singing the Neumes of the Western Liturgical Tradition

27/07/2026

This course provides a solid introduction to the reading of Gregorian chant notation, guiding participants through the graphic system that has preserved and transmitted the liturgical repertoire of the Church for over a millennium.

Through a gradual, practice-oriented approach, participants will become familiar with the fundamental elements of Gregorian notation, including the four-line staff, clefs, simple and compound neumes, the principal rhythmic signs, expressive markings, and the interpretative principles that transform notation into a living musical practice.

Each topic will be explored through the analysis and performance of well-known chants from the Gregorian repertoire, carefully selected for their pedagogical value as well as their liturgical and musical significance. Examples may include Ubi caritas, Salve Regina, Puer natus est, Victimae paschali laudes, Veni Creator Spiritus, together with other chants representing the principal seasons of the liturgical year.

Particular attention will be devoted to the relationship between the Latin text and the melody, ecclesiastical Latin pronunciation, musical phrasing, and the liturgical context of the repertoire, enabling participants to approach Gregorian notation not merely as a writing system but as a means of expressive and informed musical interpretation.

Choir directors, singers, organists, music students, music educators, seminarians, liturgical cantors, animators and anyone wishing to acquire a foundational knowledge of Gregorian chant notation. No previous experience with Gregorian notation is required but a basic knowledge of music is essential.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Wednesdays from 7:30pm to 9:30pm (CET).

The course will be delivered online via Zoom only

DateSession
7th October 2026Introduction to Gregorian Chant
14th October 2026The Language of Gregorian Notation
21st October 2026Reading the Neumes
28th October 2026From Notation to Performance
4th November 2026Exploring the Repertoire
11th November 2026Guided Reading and Practice

This course has two exit certificate options:

  1. Certificate of Attendance

To obtain a Certificate of Attendance, students must attend 80% of course contact hours. 

2. Certificate of Achievement 

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must fulfil the criteria for a certificate of attendance and successfully pass an assessment at the end of the course.

Language: Participants must have a primary level understanding of English.

Digital: Participants must know how to access the internet.

Healing and Growth: Spiritual, Psychological and Social

21/07/2026

This short course opens a structured conversation between Catholic theology, pastoral practice and the mental health professions. It explores how spiritual, psychological and social dimensions of life contribute to healing and growth, while respecting the distinct aims, languages and responsibilities of pastoral ministry, spiritual direction, counselling, psychotherapy and psychiatry.

The programme proceeds from an integral view of human development: persons grow within relationships, communities, cultures and the wider environment, and in openness to God’s active presence in the world. It also takes seriously the insights of the psychological sciences into wellbeing, suffering, resilience and care.

The programme is intended primarily for mental health professionals and trainees, priests, religious, spiritual directors, chaplains, pastoral workers and lay ministers who accompany people experiencing emotional, relational or spiritual difficulty.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on two Saturdays at Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta

Programme – 10th October 2026

DateTimeSession
10th October 2026 9:00am – 9:30amOpening: why healing and growth need each other
10th October 20269:30am – 10:15amWhat do we mean by “soul” and “psyche”?
10th October 202610:15am – 11:15amThe human person in Christian perspective: redemption and divinisation
10th October 202611:15am 12:30pmThe human person in psychological perspectives: medical, relational, developmental and political lenses
10th October 202612:30pm – 1:15pmThe human person in Malta today: contextual challenges
10th October 20261:15pm 2:00pmDistinguishing remits and forms of accompaniment

Programme – 17th October 2026

DateTimeSession
17th October 20269:00am – 10:00amAfflictions of the soul: from the Desert Fathers to DSM-5-TR
17th October 202610:00am – 11:15amThe soul’s growth: existential concern, conscience, freedom and grief
17th October 202611:15am – 12:15pmPoints of tension: when spirituality blocks growth and when psychology harms
17th October 202612:15pm – 1:00pmIntegration and next steps
17th October 20261:00pm – 2:00pmConcluding dialogue

This course has two exit certificate options:

  1. Certificate of Attendance

To obtain a Certificate of Attendance, students must attend 80% of course contact hours. 

2. Certificate of Achievement 

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must: 

  • attend 80% of course contact hours;  
  • a reflective essay

Language: Participants must have a primary level understanding of Maltese and English.

Digital: Participants must know how to access the internet and use office suites.

Previous courses / training: prior professional, clinical or ministerial formation.

CPD – Catechetical Ministry for Children – Selected Areas

04/06/2026

This course is eligible for the Get Formed! scheme, allowing students to reclaim 70% of their course fees upon completion. For more information, visit: https://pfi.edu.mt/get-formed/.

This course explores key dimensions of contemporary catechetical ministry with children and pre-adolescents, placing particular emphasis on collaboration with families, spiritual nurture, inclusion, and effective pedagogical practice. Participants will reflect on the role of catechesis within today’s diverse realities and examine practical approaches that foster meaningful faith formation and deeper integration within the Christian community. Through discussion, reflection, and applied pastoral insights, the course seeks to equip catechists and pastoral workers with the tools necessary to accompany young people in their faith journey with greater confidence and sensitivity.

Catechists

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Saturdays between 9:30am – 12:00pm at

Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, il-Mosta
Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom
DateSession
17th October 2026 
Catechesis Together: Working with Parents and Families
30th January 2027
The Spirituality of Children and Pre-Adolescents
27th February 2027Catechetical Formation in Challenging Contexts
24th April 2027The Integration of Children and Pre-Adolescents within the Community
22nd May 2027Pedagogical Aspects of Catechesis

This course has two exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from a short multiple-choice exam.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Ħarbex il-Melodija 2

03/06/2026   Knisja tal-Erwieħ, Ħal Tarxien

Sejħa għall-kompożituri. L-Arċidjoċesi ta’ Malta tistiednek tagħti il-kontribut tiegħek sabiex jitkompla jissawwar repertorju ġdid ta’ kant liturġiku permezz tal-kitba tiegħek. Il-kors Ħarbex il-Melodija huwa kors ta’ 3 workshops li l-Akkademja tal-Mużika Sagra Francesco Azopardi qed torganizza b’kollaborazzjoni mal-Pastoral Formation Institute għal dawk kollha li jixtiequ jħaddmu d-don mużikali tal-kitba tal-mużika b’għan qaddis.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Saturdays between 8:30am – 2:30pm at

Knisja tal-Erwieħ, Tarxien
DateSession
20th February 2027 
Innijiet tal-Għeluq tal-Quddiesa
20th March 2027
Innijiet tal-Milied
3rd April 2027Innijiet tal-Għid

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from a short multiple-choice exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from a short multiple-choice exam and an assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Music Theory for Singers 1

01/06/2026

This course is intended for singers who would like to learn how to read music. Participants will learn about notes and note values, clefs, staves, time signatures and other basic elements of written music. Together with the theoretical part, they will practice reading pitch and rhythm.

Singers, especially liturgical animators and choristers, will enhance their musical talent with the ability to read music. It allows them to become better singers and offer a better service.

Start learning how to read music with this basic course and open yourself up to a whole new side of music.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Tuesdays between 6:00pm – 8:00pm at

Archbishops’ Seminary, Rabat
DateSession
6th October 2026 
 Introduction to pitch 1
13th October 2026
 Introduction to pitch 2
20th October 2026 Basics of rhythm and tempo 1
27th October 2026Basics of rhythm and tempo 2
10th November 2027 
 Scales and key signatures
17th November 2026Music reading practicum

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from a short multiple-choice exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from a short multiple-choice exam and an assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Basics of Organ Performance in the Liturgy

01/06/2026

This course is intended for those who although have been trained to play the piano do not yet have the required skills to play either a digital or pipe organ. This course is meant for those already playing the organ in their parish, either regularly or occasionally, and others who intend to start doing so.  

The course, which leads to a certificate at level 3 of the Archdiocese Framework, is spread over six meetings which include practical sessions on the organ by participants. During all sessions guidance is given on when and how the organ should be used in liturgical celebrations and which hymns and repertoire would be suitable.  

This course is intended for adult Catholics and mature older adolescents seeking to improve their knowledge of music in religious settings, in particular of the organ.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Wednesdays between 6:00pm – 8:00pm at

Archbishops’ Seminary, Rabat
DateSession
7th April 2027Playing the organ pedals
14th April 2027Legato and non-legato touch   
21st April 2027Registration
28th April 2027The organ as accompaniment to the cantor and the congregation
5th May 2027Harmonization of liturgical hymns
12th May 2027Organ improvisation in the liturgy

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from a short multiple-choice exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from a short multiple-choice exam and an assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Serving at the Lord’s Table – Spirituality, Liturgy and Leadership

26/05/2026

This course is designed for adults who are responsible for guiding, training, and accompanying altar servers within the parish. It aims to deepen their understanding of the important role they play in forming young people who serve at the altar and participate closely in the Church’s liturgy.

The programme offers both spiritual and practical formation. Participants will reflect on the meaning of liturgical service, the importance of reverence and order in the sanctuary, and the responsibility of fostering a spirit of prayer, discipline, and commitment among altar servers. Attention will also be given to effective methods of training, leadership, communication, and age-appropriate formation.

Leaders, trainers, parish helpers who have been assigned by the parish priest to take care of altar servers 

Target Audience Age: 16+

The course will take place on Wednesdays between 6:00pm – 8:00pm at

Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta

DateSession
7th April 2027More Than Supervision: The Vocation of the Parish Helper with Servers
14th April 2027The Spiritual World of the Child: How Children Experience God
21st April 2027Learning from Children: What Their Faith Teaches Adult Believers
28th April 2027Fostering a spirit of Prayer and Reverence in the Servers
5th May 2027Nurturing Vocations for Priestly, Religious or Married life among the Servers
12th May 2027Ideas on Formation and Activities for Altar Servers

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from a short multiple-choice exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from a short multiple-choice exam and an assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Stories That Shape Us: Psychological Insights from the Bible

25/05/2026

This six‑session course explores key psychological experiences through biblical figures from the Old and New Testaments. Participants examine themes such as facing uncertainty, forming identity, managing emotional exhaustion, healing through relationships, and learning from failure. Through the stories of figures like Abraham, Mary, Moses, Peter, Elijah, Ruth, and David, the sessions connect biblical narratives with psychological insights about human growth and resilience. The programme emphasises how trust reduces anxiety, responsibility shapes identity, rest restores balance, relationships foster healing, and forgiveness transforms shame into personal growth. Participants are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and develop healthier ways of responding to life’s challenges.

Ideal for people who would like to delve deeper into the psychological themes in the Bible; General Public.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Wednesdays between 6:00pm – 8:00pm at

Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta

Students can join online via Zoom

DateSession
7th April 2027The Bible as a Mirror of the Human Heart (Introduction)
14th April 2027Facing the Unknown
21st April 2027Identity and Self-Doubt
28th April 2027Burnout and Emotional Exhaustion
5th May 2027Healing Through Relationship
12th May 2027Failure, Shame, and Restoration

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from a short multiple-choice exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from a short multiple-choice exam and an assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

The Catholic Understanding of Angels and the Spiritual World

25/05/2026

Angels occupy an important place in Catholic theology as spiritual beings created by God to serve His plan of salvation. This course explores the nature and mission of angels as presented in Sacred Scripture, Catholic tradition, and theology, including the angelic hierarchy, the role of guardian angels, and the presence of angels throughout salvation history.

Special attention will also be given to the reality of fallen angels and the Christian understanding of spiritual warfare, reflecting on how Christ’s victory over evil shapes the believer’s spiritual life. The course will also explore the presence of angels in Catholic art, devotion, pastoral ministry, and catechesis, offering practical insights for those engaged in pastoral work and formation.

This course is intended for adult Catholics and mature older adolescents seeking deeper doctrinal formation.

Recommended age: 16 years and above.

It is especially suitable for parish adult faith formation, RCIA formators, catechists, youth leaders, and any faithful wishing to deepen their understanding of the Church’s teaching on angels within a Catholic framework.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Mondays between 6:00pm – 8:00pm at

Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta

DateSession
1st February 2027The Nature of Angels and the Heavenly Order
8th February 2027Angels in the Mystery of Salvation. How angels act throughout Scripture and salvation history
15th February 2027The Guardian Angels
22nd February
2027		The Fallen Angels: Sin, Spiritual Warfare, and Christian Victory
1st March 2027Angels in Catholic Art
8th March 2027Angels in Pastoral Ministry
15th March 2027Teaching about Angels to Children and Young People

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from a short multiple-choice exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from a short multiple-choice exam and an assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.

Encountering Paul: From Acts to the Epistles

21/05/2026

This five‑session course offers a concise yet rich introduction to the life, mission, and theology of the Apostle Paul through both the narrative of Acts and the undisputed Pauline epistles. Participants begin with Paul’s dramatic emergence in Acts before moving through key epistles that reveal his pastoral heart, theological depth, and evolving relationships with early Christian communities: the hope and urgency of 1 Thessalonians and Galatians, the joy and reconciliation of Philippians and Philemon, the complex dynamics of the Corinthian correspondence, and the sweeping theological vision of Romans. Together, these sessions provide a coherent overview of Paul’s thought and its enduring impact on Christian identity and practice.

This course is suitable for pastoral workers helping in the Ministry of the Word. It is also ideal for people who would like to delve deeper in knowledge about Paul and all Christians who would like to continue to invest in their relationship with God. 

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Wednesdays between 6:00pm – 8:00pm at

Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta

Students can join online via Zoom

DateSession
6th January 2027Paul in Acts
13th January 20271 Thessalonians & Galatians
27th January 2027Philippians & Philemon
3rd February 20271 Corinthians & 2 Corinthians
24th February 2027Romans

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from a short multiple-choice exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from a short multiple-choice exam and an assignment.

Language: Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English.

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly, in use of office suites and internet access.