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Foundation Course in Ignatian Spirituality

11/03/2024   Mount Saint Joseph, Mosta

As a Christian, you may be seeking something deeper to enhance your faith and spiritual growth. The Pastoral Formation Institute, in collaboration 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.
  • 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.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Thursdays from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

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 upon attending at least 80% of all contact hours for each module in the course

2. Certificate of Achievement
The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement upon attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for each module and successfully completing all course 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.

Course Registration

You are kindly asked to send an email to [email protected]
In your email please include a detailed CV.

Application Closing date: 31st May, 2024

Please Note: After the application period, applicants will be contacted to attend an interview. Acceptance to the course is dependent on the outcome of the interview.

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Introduction to Catholic Theology

18/10/2021   Iklin Parish Centre, Iklin

What is theology? This answer is approached from a number of perspectives that, together, articulate a sounder picture of theology. This course aims to provide an insight into the basic tenets of the Christian faith such as God and the Trinity, exploring the itinerary leading to the development of the faith throughout the ages. Moreover, this extends to the relationship between the faith and the contemporary world. Faith can engage in dialogue with the world in a myriad of ways and circumstances. This includes, for example, moral issues in contemporary life and also social issues. This attests to the fact that Christianity cannot be separated from the world. Rather, the Church is called to engage in a relevant dialogue with the world, showing that this dialogue can be achieved. Most of all, the course serves to equip the participant with the necessary ways to show how Christianity is more than ever relevant in the contemporary world.

The course will offer an in-depth curriculum of solid theological discourse enabling participants to:

  • to offer an in-depth curriculum of solid theological discourse enabling participants to reflect deeply about the Christian faith
  • integrate and development of reflective ministry with respect to the needs of our contemporary Church and society
  • provide an opportunity for the ongoing spiritual development of the participants

Those who wish to study Theology and reflect deeply about the Christian faith.

Modules:

First Year

2021-2022

This module introduces the concept of theology, its etymology, and also its development throughout the ages up to contemporary times. Most importantly, it explores questions with regard to the relationship between faith and reason, faith and science, Revelation and Tradition. In this module, participants will be equipped with the tools necessary to make the case for theology and its relevance in today’s world.

Assessment: A written assignment

In this course participants are exposed to the social and cultural milieu of the first centuries, crucial to a better understanding of the spread of Christianity. This is followed by an exploration of the main developments during the Patristic era. This itinerary also covers the first schisms within Christendom, which eventually reach their culmination in the East-West schism of 1054. The development of theology during the medieval era is explored, especially the relationship between theology and philosophy.

Assessment: A written assignment

In this course participants are exposed to the social and cultural milieu of the first centuries, crucial to a better understanding of the spread of Christianity. This is followed by an exploration of the main developments during the Patristic era. This itinerary also covers the first schisms within Christendom, which eventually reach their culmination in the East-West schism of 1054. The development of theology during the medieval era is explored, especially the relationship between theology and philosophy.

Assessment: A written assignment

This module introduces participants to the basics of moral theology, together with an itinerary tracing the main developments of moral theology itself, and the various approaches within this particular field. Moreover the course provides a deeper understanding of a number of key issues, such as Thomas Aquinas’ contribution on morality, the notion of the moral being, virtues, conscience, sin, and reconciliation.

Assessment: A written assignment

Second Year

2022-2023

The first part of the course provides a theological reflection on the person of Jesus Christ. Following an adequate understanding of the terms “Jesus of history” and “Christ of faith”, the course will take the New Testament as its focal point to discuss the Christology in the Synoptics and the Gospel of John, Jesus preaching of the Kingdom, the uniqueness of the Resurrection, and the Christological titles.

In the second part, the course offers a theological reflection on the mystery of the Trinity as far as it can be explained in human language. A deeper understanding of revelation enables us to focus on the encounter between the human and the divine in the relationship with the Trinitarian God: it is in this context that we can reflect on the essence of God in three Persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Assessment: A written assignment

In this course participants are exposed to the social and cultural milieu of the first centuries, crucial to a better understanding of the spread of Christianity. This is followed by an exploration of the main developments during the Patristic era. This itinerary also covers the first schisms within Christendom, which eventually reach their culmination in the East-West schism of 1054. The development of theology during the medieval era is explored, especially the relationship between theology and philosophy.

Assessment: A written assignment

In this course participants are exposed to the social and cultural milieu of the first centuries, crucial to a better understanding of the spread of Christianity. This is followed by an exploration of the main developments during the Patristic era. This itinerary also covers the first schisms within Christendom, which eventually reach their culmination in the East-West schism of 1054. The development of theology during the medieval era is explored, especially the relationship between theology and philosophy.

Assessment: A written assignment

As St Augustine reminds us, the human search for God is still ongoing and has been throughout the ages. This module explores the human search for God in contemporary times and is tackled in different sub-topics. In the first sub-topic, we reflect on the importance of the Second Vatican Council and the dialogue of the Roman Catholic Church with the contemporary world.

The second sub-topic, that of spirituality, enables the participants to delve deeper into what ‘spirituality’ entails, a word that is over-used in our times. The origin of the word is explored, together with the various forms of spirituality seen throughout the ages, leading to the contemporary era and use. Since it is felt that it merits discussion and personal reflection, participants will be able to share their thoughts on spirituality with the group, using presentations or other resources.

The third part of the module explores another important and relevant aspect, that of Catholic social teaching. Participants are made aware of the teaching of the Catholic Church regarding social issues and contemporary questions and problems using various encyclicals including those that highlight the importance of human dignity.

Assessment: A written assignment

Code Module Value
THD5009 The person of Christ and the Revelation of the Trinitarian God 2 ECTS
THD5010 Contemporary Issues after the Second Vatican Council 2 ECTS
THD5019 The search for God in Contemporary Culture 4 ECTS
Code Module Value
THD5005 Theology and the Human Quest for God 2 ECTS
THD5006 Theological thought and development during Early and Medieval times 2 ECTS
THD5007 Theological thought and development during Modern and Contemporary period 2 ECTS
THM2022 Introduction to Moral Theology 2 ECTS

 

Session Format

  • Fifty-six lectures over two years held on Mondays between 18:30 and 20:30 from 14th October 2021 (112 hours)
  • Four, two-hour, tutorial sessions, held on Mondays and Saturdays (two sessions per year)

 

Calendar:

Introductory Seminar

Session Dates Times
In-person October 2021 10:00

Module 1 – Theology and the Human Quest for God

Lecturers: various

Session Dates Times
In-person 18th & 25th October 2021 18:30 – 20:30
In-person 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th November 2021 18:30 – 20:30

Module 2 – Theological thought and development during Modern and Contemporary period

Lecturer: various

Session Dates Times
In-person 6th December 2021 18:30 – 20:30
Seminar – In-person 11th December 2021 10:00
Christmas Recess 19th December 2021 – 2nd January 2022  
In-person 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st January 2022 18:30 – 20:30
In-person 7th Februrary2022 18:30 – 20:30

 

Module 3 – Theological thought and development during Early and Medieval times

Lecturers: various

Session Dates Times
In-person 14th & 21st February 2022 18:30 – 20:30
Carnival Recess 24th Februrary – 1st March 2022  
In-person 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th March 2022 18:30 – 20:30
In-person 4th April 2022 18:30 – 20:30

 

Module 4 – Introduction to Moral Theology

Lecturers: Jesmond Schembri

Session Dates Times
Easter Recess 11th – 24th April 2022  
In-person 25th April 2022 18:30 – 20:30
In-person 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th May 2022 18:30 – 20:30
In-person 6th June 2022 18:30 – 20:30

Modules 5 – 7 will be offered in 2022-2023. Dates for these modules will be available in June 2022

Assessment: Written assignments. Each assignment will be handed for every module

Final Award: Higher Education Award in Theology

MQF Level: Level 5

Duration: 2 year part-time (112 hours)

Certification: A sealed Certificate together with a Certificate supplement after successful* completion of the course

* To obtain a Certificate of Achievement a student must; Attend a minimum of 70% of each module and Pass successfully the assignment

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.