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Il-Presepju: Sors ta’ Fidi għall-istudenti tal-PFI u operaturi pastorali

05/11/2025

F’dan l-Avvent, b’mod speċjali fil-ġranet tan-Novena tal-Milied, nesploraw l-ispiritwalità li iġib magħha it-tradizzjoni sabiħa tal-Presepju. Permezz ta’ għarfien skritturali, nkunu mistiedna nirriflettu fuq is-simboliżmu qawwi tal-Presepju. Se nagħmlu dan ukoll bl-għajnuna ta’ Admirabile Signum, Ittra Appostolika ta’ Papa Franġisku fejn proprju jirrifletti fuq il-Presepju. Għalhekk waqt li narmaw il-Presepju, ejja ninżlu iktar fil-fond fil-fidi personali, il-ferħ u t-tama li jġib miegħu t-twelid tal-Messija.

Għall-istudenti tal-PFI li qed jagħmlu jew għamlu kors fis-sena skolastika 2025/2026 u operaturi pastorali.

Target Audience Age: 18+


Dan il-kors jinkludi sessjonijiet irreġistrati minn qabel, li jistgħu jiġu aċċessati fuq il-pjattaforma Moodle f’ħin tajjeb għalik. Dawn se jkopru t-temi li ġejjin:

• L-Istennija
• Il-Presepju
• Elementi mix-xeni tan-Nativita
• Marija
• Ġużeppi
• Ġesù
• Il-Maġi

Dan il-kors għandu ċertifikat wieħed:

1. Ċertifikat ta’ Attendenza

Sabiex jinkiseb Ċertifikat ta’ Attendenza, l-istudenti huma meħtieġa jaraw is-sessjonijiet kollha.

2. Ċertifikat ta’ Partiċipazzjoni

Sabiex jinkiseb Ċertifikat ta’ Partiċipazzjoni, l-istudenti huma meħtieġa jaraw is-sessjonijiet kollha u jgħaddu minn eżami multiple-choice qasir. Dan isir fuq il-pjattaforma tal-Moodle tal-istitut.

Lingwa: L-istudenti jeħtieġ li jkunu jafu l-Malti.

Teknoloġija diġitali: L-applikanti huma meħtieġa li jkunu jafu kif jaċċessaw l-internet.

Prayer Spaces at Easter

04/11/2025

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 experiential course invites participants to journey from the joy of Easter to the fire of Pentecost through themed Prayer Spaces. Students will first engage in the prayer spaces themselves, immersing in reflection on the themes of Easter. They will process their experience in small groups and then in a larger plenary discussion. Practical guidance and resources will then be provided to equip participants with the skills needed to create and lead meaningful prayer space encounters for others in their own settings.

This course is designed for all those who wish to help children, young people, and adults grow in their prayer life — namely, educators, catechists, youth leaders, youth ministers, religious counsellors, chaplains, lay chaplains, priests, and religious.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Saturdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

DateSession
11th April 2026From Encounter to Experience –
Discovering Prayer Spaces as Pathways of Resurrection
18th April 2026Co-Creating with God –
Bringing Prayer Spaces to Life

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 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.

Il-Presepju: Sors ta’ Fidi

30/10/2025

Jekk inti operatur pastorali jew student kurrenti tal-PFI, nistednuk tapplika għal dan il-kors permezz ta’ din il-ħolqa minflok: https://pfi.edu.mt/course/presepju-pfi/.

F’dan l-Avvent, b’mod speċjali fil-ġranet tan-Novena tal-Milied, nesploraw l-ispiritwalità li iġib magħha it-tradizzjoni sabiħa tal-Presepju. Permezz ta’ għarfien skritturali, nkunu mistiedna nirriflettu fuq is-simboliżmu qawwi tal-Presepju. Se nagħmlu dan ukoll bl-għajnuna ta’ Admirabile Signum, Ittra Appostolika ta’ Papa Franġisku fejn proprju jirrifletti fuq il-Presepju. Għalhekk waqt li narmaw il-Presepju, ejja ninżlu iktar fil-fond fil-fidi personali, il-ferħ u t-tama li jġib miegħu t-twelid tal-Messija.

Għall-pubbliku ġenerali.

Target Audience Age: 18+


Dan il-kors jinkludi sessjonijiet irreġistrati minn qabel, li jistgħu jiġu aċċessati fuq il-pjattaforma Moodle f’ħin tajjeb għalik. Dawn se jkopru t-temi li ġejjin:

• L-Istennija
• Il-Presepju
• Elementi mix-xeni tan-Nativita
• Marija
• Ġużeppi
• Ġesù
• Il-Maġi

Dan il-kors għandu ċertifikat wieħed:

1. Ċertifikat ta’ Attendenza

Sabiex jinkiseb Ċertifikat ta’ Attendenza, l-istudenti huma meħtieġa jaraw is-sessjonijiet kollha.

2. Ċertifikat ta’ Partiċipazzjoni

Sabiex jinkiseb Ċertifikat ta’ Partiċipazzjoni, l-istudenti huma meħtieġa jaraw is-sessjonijiet kollha u jgħaddu minn eżami multiple-choice qasir. Dan isir fuq il-pjattaforma tal-Moodle tal-istitut.

Lingwa: L-istudenti jeħtieġ li jkunu jafu l-Malti.

Teknoloġija diġitali: L-applikanti huma meħtieġa li jkunu jafu kif jaċċessaw l-internet.

Award in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults – Curia Staff (In Maltese)

28/10/2025   Archbishop's Curia
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 will assist employees and volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults or handle their data, to recognise the key principles of safeguarding and learn to create a safe environment for children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

The intended learning outcomes:

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

  1. familiarise themselves with safeguarding policies
  2. understand the legal obligations with child abuse
  3. identify signs and symptoms of abuse
  4. know the disclosures of abuse
  5. identify the principles of safeguarding
  6. practice professional boundaries
  7. know their legal obligations related to the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act (2011) and the Minors Protection Act (2019)
  8. learn about the different types of abuse and poor practice
  9. learn a standard response to a disclosure of abuse
  10. be able to recognise signs of abuse
  11. identify the actions to take if you have a concern and who can help

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Archbishop’s Curia Staff

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.

February – March 2026
Lecturing Period
Mode of DeliveryDate & TimeVenue
In-personTuesday 3rd February 2026 from 10:30am – 1:30pmArchbishop’s Curia, Floriana
Recorded MaterialTuesday 3rd – Tuesday 17th February 2026Recorded videos on the VLE platform
Assessment Period:
AssessmentAvailable FromDue by
Short Multiple-Choice Online ExamTuesday 3rd February 2026Tuesday 17th February 2026
Reflective JournalTuesday 3rd February 2026Tuesday 3rd March 2026

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.

Walking Together in Lent: Pastoral Pathways to Renewal

27/10/2025

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 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom.

DateSession
26th January 2026Rediscovering the Lenten Journey – A Pastoral Vision
28th January 2026Lent as a Time for Healing and Reconciliation
2nd February 2026Pastoral Creativity – Initiatives for Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving
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 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 (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.

Catholic Pastoral Care in Elderly Homes and Hospitals

27/10/2025

This course equips pastoral workers, Eucharistic ministers, and volunteers with the practical skills and spiritual sensitivity needed for Catholic pastoral care in elderly homes. It emphasizes leading prayer moments, distributing Holy Communion, and visiting the elderly, including hospital settings and room-to-room ministry. Participants will develop a compassionate, Christ-centred approach rooted in Catholic teaching and pastoral practice.

• Volunteers in elderly homes
• Lay pastoral workers
• Parish volunteers
• Religious sisters or brothers serving in care homes
• Seminarians in pastoral formation

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
16th February 2026 Foundations of Catholic Pastoral Care
23rd February 2026Spiritual Needs of the Elderly and Hospital Patients
2nd March 2026Leading Moments of Prayer
9th March 2026Room-to-Room Visits and Hospital Ministry
16th March 2026Ministering Holy Communion
23rd March 2026Pastoral Challenges and Ethical Considerations

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 (in addition to meeting the attendance criteria above) they successfully complete a short online assessment.

3. Certificate of Achievement

The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement when (in addition to meeting the attendance criteria above) they successfully complete all assessments, including a 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.

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.

Called to Accompany: Formation for Facilitators and Helpers

25/08/2025   Archbishop's Curia - Media Room

Called to Accompany is a formation course for those called to facilitate Catholic support groups and help in activities for separated persons. The course offers practical and spiritual tools to accompany others with compassion, integrity, and faith. It includes sessions on group dynamics, safeguarding, and the spiritual foundations of this ministry, helping facilitators and helpers to create safe, respectful, and hope-filled environments rooted in the Church’s care.

  • Facilitators leading support groups in parishes
  • Members of subcommittees helping in social events; retreats and conferences/seminars

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Saturdays from 9:00am to 12:30pm at The Archbishop’s Curia

DatesSession
10th January 2026Group Dynamics
24th January 2026Safeguarding (*)
7th February 2026Spirituality from Bible Texts
(*) Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

This lesson delves into the essential principles of safeguarding, focusing on creating safe environments for children, young people, and vulnerable adults. By the lesson’s conclusion, students will be well-versed in safeguarding policies, understand the core principles underlying safeguarding, and recognize various types of abuse along with their signs and symptoms. They will also learn how to handle disclosures of abuse, maintain professional boundaries, identify poor practices, and comprehend their legal obligations under the Protection of Minors (Registration) Act (2011) and the Minors Protection Act (2019).

This lesson is offered in-person and continues with an online session namely:

  1. 3 hours – In person session (Face-to-Face Learning) dated 24th January 2026
  2. 2 hours – recorded material which can be accessed on the PFI`s Moodle Portal (Blended Learning)

An additional Certificate of Participation will be awarded to students who successfully complete the course multiple-choice test. An MFHEA-accredited Certificate of Achievement will be awarded to students who successfully complete the safeguarding component, pass the short multiple-choice online exam, and submit a reflective journal.

This course has two exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending all contact hours (100%) for this course and successfully completing and passing 15 short multiple-choice questions on the first and third lecture available on the Moodle platform.

2. Certificate of Achievement

The student will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement upon meeting the attendance criteria outlined above, successfully completing the multiple-choice assessment, and submitting a 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.

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.