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Introduction to Franciscan Spirituality

03/05/2024   ĊAK

This course delves into the timeless relevance of St Francis of Assisi’s life and teachings, portraying him as both a devoted disciple of Christ and a prophetic figure for our contemporary world. Participants will explore how St Francis’s wisdom can be applied to everyday life, including aspects such as prayer and discernment. Additionally, in anticipation of next year’s Jubilee of Hope, participants will explore St Francis as a companion figure for the upcoming Jubilee.

  • Franciscan collaborators
  • Individuals interested to explore and deepen their knowledge in Franciscan Spirituality

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Tuesdays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

October 2024

DatesSession
8th OctoberIntroduction – The Saint’s Life
15th OctoberThe Franciscan Rule
22nd OctoberThe Mysteries of the Incarnation and Easter in the life of St Francis of Assisi
29th OctoberAgiography

November 2024

DatesSession
5th NovemberSt Francis and the Word of God
12th NovemberSt Francis’s Testament
19th NovemberThe Contemplative Dimension and the Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi
26th NovemberSt Francis of Assisi and the Jubilee of Hope

December 2024

DatesSession
3rd DecemberFranciscan Discernment
10th DecemberThe Franciscan Dimension of the Liturgy and Particular Devotions

January 2025

DatesSession
14th JanuaryThe Economy of Francesco
21st JanuaryFranciscan Spirituality in Everyday Life

February 2025

DatesTimeSession
Saturday 8th February9:00am – 12:30pmHalf-Day Seminar on The Canticle of Creation*

*Seminar venue will be different from lecture venue. Further details will be announced at a later stage.

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificates 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

To obtain a Certificate of Participation, students must:

  • attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hours
  • successfully complete 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 hours
  • successfully complete and pass from a short multiple-choice exam
  • successfully complete and pass from written 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.

Course in Ignatian Spirituality and Spiritual Accompaniment

11/03/2024   Mount Saint Joseph, Mosta

As a Christian, you may be seeking something deeper to enhance your faith and spiritual growth. Together with the Centre for Ignatian Spirituality, we are offering a two-year Foundation Course in Ignatian Spirituality from September 2024 to June 2026*. This course aims to:

  • Help participants deepen their understanding of Christian spirituality, particularly that in the Ignatian tradition.
  • Provide a solid background in Spirituality, Theology, and Scriptural knowledge to enrich pastoral activities at all levels.
  • Foster a deeper personal relationship with the Lord.

*This course is a combination of two courses. The first course will be held in the initial two years and will set the foundation for the second course, which will be held in the following two years. The second course is optional; students have the option to complete their studies after the first course.

  • For those seeking a deeper understanding of Christian spirituality, particularly within the Ignatian tradition.
  • For those desiring a solid foundation in spirituality, theology, and scriptural knowledge.
  • For those aiming to cultivate a personal relationship with the Lord.

First Year

DatesSession
11th – 15th September 2024Silent Retreat
19th September – 31st October 2024Nature and History of Spirituality
7th November – 19th December 2024Basic notions of Sacred Scripture
9th January – 20th February 2025Prayer Methods
22nd-23rd February 2025Communication and group skills
27th February – 10th April 2025Autobiography of St. Ignatius and writing a spiritual autobiography
24th April – 12th June 2025Principles of Ignatian Spirituality
3rd – 4th MayFaith and Culture
21st – 22nd JuneSpirituality and Integral Ecology

Second Year

DatesSession
13th – 14th September 2025Self-Awareness
18th September – 30th October 2025Introduction to Moral Theology
6th November – 18th December 2025Psychological Dynamics in Spirituality
8th January – 19th February 2026Introduction to Fundamental and Dogmatic Theology
28th February – 1st March 2026Introduction to Pastoral Theology
26th February – 23rd April 2026Introduction to Discernment
2nd – 3rd May 2026Communal Discernment
30th April – 4th June 2026Spirituality and Justice
12th – 14th June 2026End of course retreat

This course has two exit certificate options

  1. Certificates 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 Achievement

The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course, pass from all module assessments.

Applicants are expected to:

  • possess a good knowledge of the English language;
  • be capable of writing assignments in English;
  • be able to use a computer to access material digitally and make online submissions;
  • attend at least 80% of lectures of each module;
  • attend an initial 5-day silent retreat in full.

The course fee for both courses (i.e., whole two years) is set at €1,410* and will be paid in staggered instalments of €235 per term as follows:

1st course – 1st year

PaymentAmount
Initial course payment – to be settled by September 2024€235
January 2025€235
April 2025€235
Total€705

Students who wish to stop their studies after the 1st course (i.e., after the 1st year) will only be required to pay for the 1st year.

2nd course – 2nd year

PaymentAmount
September 2024€235
January 2025€235
April 2025€235
Total€1,410

*The course fee covers all the costs incl. the two compulsory residential retreats.

Introduction to Diakonia

25/10/2023
Introduction to Diakonia

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 online course will explore the roots of Diakonia in Sacred Scripture and early Christian communities. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the relationship between Diakonia, faith, and prayer while delving into key areas of Catholic Social Teaching. Additionally, participants will examine the evolution of Diakonia in Malta and learn about available services.

This course is intended for:

  • Individuals who are already involved in Diakonia and wish to deepen their involvement in it.
  • Individuals who are interested in becoming involved in Diakonia.
  • Individuals who are interested in offering Diakonia-related services through a Church entity that they form part of.

N.B. completing this course does not entitle the student to automatically become a pastoral operator engaged in Djakonija within any specific parish. Such appointments are made at the discretion of the Parish Priest/Chaplain of the respective Parish/community.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will be delivered entirely through a series of pre-recorded lectures accessible on our VLE platform at a time and place convenient for you.

In these pre-recorded lectures, the following subjects will be covered:

  1. Biblical meaning of the word Diakonia and the word in the Old Testament;
  2. Djakonija in the New Testament with special reference to Acts;
  3. Djakonija in the first communities – the link between kerygma, koinonia, diakonia and liturgia;
  4. Personal prayer life leads me to Diakonia;
  5. The link between faith and life is one of the cornerstones of Christian theology and can be described in a variety of ways. For St Paul, “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”;
  6. Evangelisation, djakonija and the digital age;
  7. Malta’s reality has changed – what are today’s sociological ‘pains’?;
  8. The Preferential Option for the Poor & the four pillars of Catholic social teaching; human dignity common good, subsidiarity and solidarity;
  9. How the Church in Malta was a pioneer in the Diakonia sector;
  10. What Diakonia services are being offered today? What are the different types of professionals working in this field?

This course has three exit certificate options: 

  1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance upon viewing all pre-recorded lectures on our VLE platform.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation upon viewing all pre-recorded lectures on our VLE platform and passing short multiple-choice examinations.

3. Certificate of Achievement

The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement upon viewing all pre-recorded lectures on our VLE platform, passing a short multiple-choice examination, and passing from a written assignment.

Language: A primary level understanding of Maltese and English is required.

Digital: Ability to access the internet and use an office suite is required.