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Lent 2025: Renewing our Pastoral Paths

02/10/2025

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 short course is designed for parish leaders seeking to deepen the spiritual and communal impact of Lent within their communities. Through four focused sessions, participants will explore creative and mission-driven pastoral initiatives rooted in prayer, reconciliation, service, and outreach. The course emphasizes practical planning, collaboration, and spiritual leadership to help parishes journey meaningfully through Lent and into Easter.

Pastoral leaders.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta. Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom.

DateSession
Monday 26th January 2026Rediscovering the Lenten Journey – A Pastoral Vision
Wednesday 28th January 2026Lent as a Time for Healing and Reconciliation
Monday 2nd February 2026Pastoral Creativity – Initiatives for Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving
Wednesday 4th February 2026Sustaining the Spirit – From Lent to Easter and Beyond

This course has two exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation 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 (in addition to meeting the attendance criteria above) they successfully complete a written assignment.

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

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly in the use of office suites and of the internet, to both of which they must have access.

Preparing a Formative Path for Young People in Organised Ministry

27/08/2025   Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta

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/.

A thriving youth ministry requires intentional planning and a deep understanding of the young people it serves. This course explores the importance of a structured framework in ensuring spiritual growth, engagement, and formation throughout the year. Participants will learn how to assess their youth groups’ unique needs, integrate liturgical and formative elements, and create sessions that resonate with their social and spiritual contexts. The role of discernment in ministry will also be addressed, equipping leaders with tools to seek God’s guidance in their planning. Through hands-on activities, youth leaders will develop a comprehensive, adaptable ministry plan aligned with parish life. Peer discussions and feedback from facilitators will refine these plans, fostering collaboration and shared leadership. By the end of the course, participants will leave with practical strategies to build a dynamic and purposeful youth ministry that nurtures lasting faith formation.

  • Youth leaders

Target Audience Age: 18+

DatesSession
Saturday 31st January 2026
9:00am – 12:00pm		The Importance of Planning
Understanding your local context
Saturday 7th February 2026
9:00am – 12:00pm		Discernment
Getting Practical
Wednesday 11th February 2026
6:00pm – 8:00pm		Review

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 / when viewing all the videos of this course.

2. Certificate of Achievement

The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement when (in addition to meeting the attendance criteria above) they successfully complete a reflective journal.

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

Digital: Applicants must be digitally literate particularly in the use of office suites and of the internet, to both of which they must have access.

CPD – Il-katekeżi għat-tfal u l-pre-adolexxenti b’diżabilità

29/07/2025   Ta' Mlit

Il-kors huwa maħsub biex joffri formazzjoni bażika lill-katekisti li fil-ministeru tagħhom, iservu lit-tfal u pre-adolexxenti b’diżabilita’. L-ewwelnett, permezz tal-kors, il-katekisti għandhom jakkwistaw għarfien bażiku tar-realtajiet differenti li jikkaratterizzaw diżabilitajiet diversi. Ma’ dan, il-katekisti jakkwistaw ukoll għarfien dwar kif huma għandhom jirrelataw ma’ dawn il-persuni u kif għandhom ikunu wkoll ta’ appoġġ għall-familji tagħhom. Dan huwa pass essenzjali biex il-ħidma kateketika fil-qasam, tgħin lil dawn it-tfal jagħmlu esperjenza ta’ fidi fi ħdan il-komunita’ ekkleżjali.

Dan ma’ jistax isir jekk ma jinkisibx għarfien rigward il-metodi u r-riżorsi addattati għall-ħidma kateketika ma’ dawn it-tfal u l-familji tagħhom. Il-kors għandu wkoll jiżgura li l-katekisti ikunu aktar sensibbli għall-bżonnijiet ta’ dawn il-persuni fejn tidħol l-animazzjoni tat-talb u ċ-ċelebrazzjoni tas-sagramenti.

Fl-aħħarnett, il-kors għandu jinkoraġġixxi, isaħħaħ u jifrex dejjem aktar il-prattiċi tajbin li sa issa diġa qegħdin jiġu mħaddma fil-ħidma kateketika madwar id-djoċesi.

  • Katekisti u persuni oħra interessati fis-suġġett.

Target Audience Age: 18+

Il-kors ser isir is-Sibt mid-9:30am sa’ 12:00pm Ta’ Mlit.

DataSessjoni
25 ta’ Ottubru 2025L-għarfien tal-esperjenza tad-diżabilità fit-tfal u l-pre-adolexxenti
10 ta’ Jannar 2026Kif nirrelataw mat-tfal u l-pre-adoloxxenti b’ diżabilità u kif insostnu lill-familji tagħhom
21 ta’ Frar 2026L-edukazzjoni u l-animazzjoni tat-talb u l-liturġija għat-tfal u l-pre-adolexxenti b’diżabilità
18 ta’ April 2026Riżorsi u Metodi fil-preparazzjoni għas-Sagramenti għat-tfal u l-pre-adoloxxenti b’diżabilità
9 ta’ Mejju 2026Good practices fil-parroċċi fil-qasam tal-katekeżi mat-tfal u l-pre-adoloxxenti b’diżabilità
Dan il-kors għandu żewġ għażliet ta’ ċertifikati:

1. Ċertifikat ta’ Attendenza

Sabiex tikseb Ċertifikat ta’ Attendenza, l-istudenti huma meħtieġa jattendu 80% tas-sessjonijiet tal-kors.

2. Ċertifikat ta’ Parteċipazzjoni

L-istudent jirċievi Ċertifikat ta’ Parteċipazzjoni meta (minbarra li jissodisfa l-kriterji ta’ attendenza ta’ hawn fuq) itemm b’suċċess valutazzjoni qasira online.

Lingwa: L-applikanti għandhom ikollom fehma tal-Malti u jkunu fluwenti fl-Ingliż.

Teknoloġija diġitali: L-applikanti huma meħtieġa li jkunu fluwenti fl-użu tad-dinja diġitali, inkluż li jkunu jafu kif jaċċessaw l-internet u jużaw office suites bħal Microsoft Word.

The Organ in the Liturgy – Stylistic Playing and Harmonization

26/05/2025

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 stylistic approaches to organ playing from the Baroque to the Romantic periods, with a particular focus on liturgical application. Participants will learn the non-legato “ordinary” touch that was standard until the early 19th century, followed by the legato style that became prevalent thereafter. Practical sessions will include set pieces, appropriate registration techniques, and stylistic interpretation. The course also covers hymn harmonisation, training participants to add three lower parts to a melody. These skills support both liturgical responsibilities and the improvisational development of the church organist.

Organists and those interested to be, and choir leaders.

Target Audience Age: 18+

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

DateSessionVenue
04th February 2026Stylistic elements of organ playing up to early 19th century – Part 1Archbishop’s Seminary
11th February 2026Stylistic elements of organ playing up to early 19th century – Part 2Archbishop’s Seminary
18th February 2026Stylistic elements of organ playing up from late 19th century onwards – Part 1Archbishop’s Seminary
25th February 2026Stylistic elements of organ playing up from late 19th century onwards – Part 2Archbishop’s Seminary
04th March 2026Harmonisation at the organ – Part 1Archbishop’s Seminary
11th March 2026Harmonisation at the organ – Part 2Archbishop’s Seminary

Session 1 and 2: Stylistic elements of organ playing up to early 19th century

Legato, or “ordinary” touch, was the standard technique for organ playing until the 19th century. Course participants will be guided in applying this touch with both hands and feet through the practice of selected pieces from the Baroque repertoire. The recommended registrations for these pieces will also be explained.

Session 3 and 4: Stylistic elements of organ playing up from late 19th century onwards

From the late 19th century, the legato touch became the standard approach in organ performance. Participants will learn how to apply this technique for both hands and feet by practising selected works from the Romantic period. Guidance will also be provided on appropriate registration choices for this style.

Session 5 and 6: Harmonisation at the organ

A key responsibility of a church organist is the ability to harmonise hymns at sight. In these sessions, participants will be taught how to harmonise a melody by adding three lower parts. In addition to their practical application in hymn playing, these skills will also support the development of improvisation techniques.

This course has three exit certificate options:

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

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when sitting and successfully compete and pass the short multiple-choice questions online exam which will be available on the Moodle platform.

3. Certificate of Achievement
The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course, as well as after passing a short practical examination and viva session.

This course is delivered by the Akkademja tal-Mużika Sagra Francesco Azzopardi in collaboration with the Pastoral Formation Institute.

Applicants must be proficient in both Maltese and English. They must also have a minimum of grade 6 standard in a keyboard instrument (piano or organ).

A copy of the certificate indicating achievement of minimum grade 6 standard must be uploaded in the application form below.

Award in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults for Fondazzjoni Sebħ Staff – August 2025

26/05/2025   Fondazzjoni Sebħ Premises, Ħamrun
Safeguarding Others
MQF

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 4, as Further Education Programme.

This short course is designed for employees and volunteers who work with children, young people, and vulnerable adults, or who handle their data. Participants will gain an understanding of the key principles of safeguarding and develop skills to create and maintain a safe environment for all individuals in their care.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  1. Familiarise themselves with safeguarding policies
  2. Understand legal obligations concerning child abuse
  3. Identify signs and symptoms of abuse
  4. Understand disclosures of abuse
  5. Identify core principles of safeguarding
  6. Practise professional boundaries effectively
  7. Know their legal obligations under the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act (2011) and the Minors Protection Act (2019)
  8. Recognise different types of abuse and poor practices
  9. Learn a standard response to disclosures of abuse
  10. Recognise signs of abuse
  11. Identify appropriate actions to take when concerned and understand who to approach for support

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Fondazzjoni Sebħ employees who work with children and vulnerable adults and handle their data.

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
PFE/SCA4-23Blended Learning1 ECTS

The course is delivered over 5 contact hours. These 5 hours are delivered over two sessions:

  1. 3 hours – In person session (Face-to-Face Learning)
  2. 2 hours – recorded material which can be accessed on the PFI`s Moodle Portal (Blended Learning)

Students will also be given additional reading material which they can read in their own time.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

You may find all the dates in the Calendar section below.

Each course is delivered over two sessions; (a) 3-hour, in-person session and (b) 2 hours of recorded material which can be accessed on the PFI’s Moodle Portal.

August/ September 2025
Lecturing Period
Mode of DeliveryDate & TimeVenue
In-person1st August 2025
from 9:30am to 12:30pm		Fondazzjoni Sebħ, Ħamrun
Recorded Material2nd – 16th August 2025Recorded videos on the VLE platform
Assessment Period:
AssessmentAvailable FromDue by
Short Multiple-Choice Online Exam2nd August 202516th August 2025
Reflective Journal2nd August 20251st September 2025

This course has three exit certificate options: 

  1. Certificate of Attendance

A Certificate of Attendance will be rewarded to students who have:

  • attended in-person session
  • watched all the recorded material
  • and did not submit any course assessments.
  1. Certificate of Participation 

A Certificate of Participation* will be rewarded to students who meet the attendance criteria and successfully conclude the course multiple choice test. (please check the calendar tab above for exam dates)

  1. Certificate of Achievement 

A Certificate of Achievement* is awarded to students who successfully concluded the course, that is;

  • meet the attendance criteria
  • sit and pass the short multiple-choice online exam (mentioned in point 2),
  • and also submit a written assessment

Click here to view the PFI’s Grading System

*To obtain a Certificate of Achievement or a Certificate of Participation, a student must; attend all the contact hours and successfully conclude the assessment/s.

EQF/MQF Level: Level 4

Accreditation Category: Further Education Programme

Total ECTS: 1 ECTS

Teaching Institutions: Safeguarding Commission together with Pastoral Formation Institute

Award Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

MQF

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 4, as Further Education Programme.

Qualifications: Every application will be considered on its individual merits. The Pastoral Formation Institute accepts a wide range of qualifications, and we always try to judge applications on the basis of academic potential. We do consider a very wide range of academic, vocational, and professional qualifications, as well as work and other appropriate experiences and skills.

Language: Primary level understanding of Maltese and English.

Digital: Knows how to access the internet and use a word processor.

For courses offered in face-to-face learning and Blended Learning, it is required that applicants reside in the Maltese Islands and use their Maltese address in their application form.

For further information regarding visa requirements, head to Identity Malta’s VISA requirement for third-country nationals.

Practice in Liturgical Music Animation

26/05/2025

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 will focus on the practice of liturgical music leadership. Each session will include vocal technique training and practical methods for introducing new repertoire to the assembly. Additionally, every session will explore the various parts of the Mass and other liturgical celebrations. Active participation from each student—both in singing and directing—is a compulsory component of this course.

Those involved in liturgical animation, or anyone interested in this ministry, to deepen their knowledge and enhance their practical skills in the field.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Mondays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at The Archbishop’s Seminary, Rabat

DateSession
Monday 6th October 2025Practical musical animation for the mass 1
Monday 20th October 2025Practical musical animation for the mass 2
Monday 27th October 2025Practical musical animation for the mass 3
Monday 03th November 2025Practical assembly conducting 1
Monday 10th November 2025Practical assembly conducting 2
Monday 17th November 2025Practical assembly conducting 3

This course has three exit certificate options:

  1. Certificate of Attendance
    The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending a minimum 80% of all contact hours for this course.
  2. Certificate of Participation
    The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when sitting and successfully compete and pass the short multiple-choice questions online exam which will be available on the Moodle platform.
  3. Certificate of Achievement
    To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum 80% of all contact hours and pass the short multiple-choice online exam practical and viva session.

This course is delivered by the Akkademja tal-Mużika Sagra Francesco Azzopardi in collaboration with the Pastoral Formation Institute.

Parish Volunteering

21/05/2025

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 short course offers an engaging introduction to the mission and ministry of volunteering within a Catholic parish. It explores the spiritual foundations, practical responsibilities, and community impact of parish volunteering. Designed for new and prospective volunteers, the course provides an understanding of how their service contributes to the Church’s mission and offers guidance for serving effectively, faithfully, and joyfully.

New or prospective parish volunteers, both youth and adults

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Mondays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta. Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom.

DateSession
15th September 2025Called to Serve – The Spiritual Heart of Volunteering
22nd September 2025The Life of the Parish – Ministries and Mission
29th September 2025Ethics, Boundaries, and Responsibility
6th October 2025Building Community; Collaboration and finding your place
13th October 2025Formation; Spiritual Growth and Next Steps

This course has two exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

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

2. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from reflective journal.

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.

Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew

20/05/2025

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 offers a rich thematic and theological introduction to the Gospel of Matthew, emphasizing its unique portrayal of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, the New Moses, and the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy. Participants will explore key events in Jesus’ life—His birth, teachings, miracles, and passion—while gaining insight into Matthew’s structure and message. Designed for pastoral ministers seeking deeper formation as the Church begins a new liturgical cycle centred on Matthew’s Gospel.

Pastoral workers especially those involved in the Ministry of the Word and all others interested in the subject.

Target Audience Age: 18+

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

Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom

DateSession
12th November 2025Introduction and the Magi Narrative
19th Novemeber 2025 The Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount
26th November 2025The Miracles in Matthew
3rd December 2025The Passion and Easter Nattative in Matthew

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 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 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.

Malta’s Catholic Churches as Bibles in Stone

16/05/2025

This course aims to provide a fresh perspective on how we experience our places of worship. It is designed for anyone interested in exploring how Sacred Scripture and Sacred Architecture connect, and understanding the biblical and spiritual meanings derived from the Churches around us.

The course comprises five sessions, each held in a different church. The Churches featured in this course include the Annunciation Church in Balzan, St Mary’s Church and St Helen’s Basilica in Birkirkara, the Rotunda in Mosta, and St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta.

Suitable for everyone, regardless of their academic background in architecture or biblical studies, this course requires no prior experience.

Anyone with an interest in the link between sacred architecture and the Bible

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Saturdays from 9:30am – 11:30am

DateSessionVenue
27th September 2025The Church as a GardenAnnuciation Church, Ħal Balzan
4th October 2025The Church as a Temple: Part 1St Mary’s Church, Birkirkara
11th October 2025The Church as a Temple: Part 2St Helen’s Basilica, Birkirkara
18th October 2025The Church as CosmosMosta Rotunda
25th October 2025The Church as Heavenly JerusalemSt John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta

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 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.

This course is offered by the Pastoral Formation Institute in collaboration with the Malta Bible Foundation.

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.

Holy Communion: Continuing the Journey

16/05/2025

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/.

Building on Introduction to Holy Communion, this course aims to explore the Holy Eucharist in greater depth as the source and summit of Christian life. It will delve into the scriptural foundations of the sacrament, such as the Emmaus story, while appreciating Eucharistic themes in classical paintings and sacred music.

Participants will also discover how the Eucharist transcends Sunday worship, inspiring daily life and social justice, and enriching their ministry.

  • Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion who provide a service during church masses, in residential elderly homes or homebound sick persons.
  • Those who wish to learn to appreciate more the sacrament of Holy Communion.
  • Those who are starting their service as extraordinary ministers.

Please Note: Doing this course does not entitle the student to become an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. Extraordinary ministers are chosen by the parish priests.

Target Audience Age: 18+

This course comprises pre-recorded lectures, which can be accessed on the Moodle platform at a time and pace that suits you. The lectures will cover the following topics:

  • The Emmaus Narrative
  • The Eucharist in Sacred Art
  • The Eucharist in Sacred Music
  • The Eucharist – the spirituality of the ministry
  • Living the Mass

This course has one exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Participation

Students will receive a Certificate of Participation upon completing all recordings and successfully passing a short online assessment.

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.

It is suggested that applicants complete the ‘Introduction to Holy Communion’ course before enrolling in this course.