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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.

Postgraduate Certificate in Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in Schools

05/08/2025

The course dates will be announced in the coming months. In the meantime, you can register your interest by completing the application form below.

MQF

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Postgraduate Certificate in Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in Schools is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 7, as a Higher Education Programme.

Students who successfully complete this course may apply for the Get Qualified Scheme which will enable them to benefit from a tax credit of 70% of the costs incurred (i.e. €595.00 will be refunded for this course).

Schools provide a holistic environment that fosters the pursuit of truth, the development of healthy critical thinking, and the creation of spaces where individuals of diverse faiths can question, reflect, pray, and build communities of mutual acceptance. In this challenging yet enriching context, the balance of faith and reason, supported by pastoral and biblical theology, offers a solid foundation for School Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy.

Moreover, Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in schools serve as bridges connecting faith with culture, and spirituality with the technocratic realm of contemporary society. The promotion of this mindset and its practical application are strengthened by empowering school leadership and pedagogy to embrace and uphold essential values, particularly Gospel values, which are crucial in our empirically driven, digitally oriented society.

This will be achieved through:

  • A deeper introduction to and study of the bridge between faith and reason, biblical and pastoral theology (Modules 1 and 2).
  • An in-depth understanding of the role of Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in a pluralistic school environment through multiculturalism, inter-religious dialogue, and engagement with the technocratic realm (Module 3).
  • Insights from Pastoral Theology on building communion between human beings and with God (Module 3).
  • An appreciation for the need for spiritual accompaniment and the stages of spiritual development in young people, youth, and adults (Module 4).
  • The development of practical methods for designing, leading, and evaluating liturgical and religious activities (Module 4).
  • Professional ministry that enriches the school ethos, leadership, and pedagogy with values that enable transformative experiences, thus inviting course participants to evaluate and integrate the vision and values proclaimed (Module 5).

This course is open to all individuals involved in the educational sector or with an expressed interest in working in this area.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
PFE7001In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)6 ECTS

Through this module participants will be able to explore the important logical and authoritative relationship between faith, revelation and reason all of which are the principal sources of Catholic living.

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
PFE7002In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)6 ECTS

Through this module participants will be able to: Explore the application of Biblical theology within the framework of school pastoral care and within the School Chaplaincy setting. It aims to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of how Biblical Narratives can inform and enhance pastoral care practices within educational settings. The module covers theological concepts, pastoral strategies and practical skills necessary for effective chaplaincy work in schools, focusing on the psychological, emotional, spiritual, and ethical development of students.

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
PFE7003In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)6 ECTS

Our increasingly multicultural society and schools often lead to cultural misunderstandings and xenophobic sentiments due to a lack of knowledge. Schools, as microcosms of society, introduce students to diverse backgrounds, and educators in Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy have an ethical duty to create an inclusive environment that respects and values every individual, celebrates diversity, and fosters unity.

The rise in multiculturalism in schools presents a new challenge for educators, necessitating better preparation to fulfil their transformative role in society and reach out to all students, regardless of their creed, culture, or nationality. This module aims to inform and equip educators to create inclusive school environments that respect all students’ diverse backgrounds. Participants in this module will gain an understanding of how technology influences young people’s psychological and spiritual self-perception, interactions, and worldview. They will examine the impact of technological advancements, such as digital communication, social media, gamified environments, AI, and augmented realities, on youth. By analysing these trends, educators will gain insights into the challenges and opportunities that technology presents for young people. The module will also teach participants to critically analyse technology’s effects on culture, particularly youth culture, through the media ecology school and explore the technocratic paradigm’s impact on science, faith, and society using the theory of planned behaviour.

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
PFE7004In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)6 ECTS

Living and mentoring through the right knowledge and skills the school ethos is a crucial aspect of school life for the benefit of the whole school community.  The ethos gives the community the impetus it needs to promote a positive character formation. Within the framework of schools, the inspirational shepherding figure of Christ enables the school community to recognize each person’s unique gifts and encourages their personal development. The full collaboration and cooperation between the school community and the various interdisciplinary teams amongst them the School Pastoral Care, are necessary transformative mediums for the students’ holistic character development and formation as they can grow into principled, responsible individuals.

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
PFE7005In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)3 ECTS

The seminar (weekend-based) at the  beginning of the course is crucial, because, participants are  introduced to each other, the topics  chosen, revolve mainly  around the need to  be aware  of oneself  holistically within the venture of School Pastoral Care and  Chaplaincy, the need  of self-care, the need to equip oneself  well with resilience,  the importance of  keeping the goals of Pastoral Care  and Chaplaincy as the centre and  sustenance of the whole mission in the school context.

CodeMode of DeliveryValue
PFE7006In-person (Face-to-Face Learning)3 ECTS

The spiritual reflection day (based on a weekend) is a valuable opportunity for all participants to  get in touch with the sacred within them, to evaluate  their consciousness of their impact  within the mission of School Pastoral Care  and Chaplaincy  through the use of various evaluation resources, and  to   share with the rest of the group their spiritual experiences.

 

We are working to make the course available from January 2026. In the meantime, you can register your interest by completing the application form below.

This course has one exit certificate option:

Certificate of Achievement

To receive a Certificate of Achievement, the student must:

  • Attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course.
  • Complete and pass assessments for all modules.
MQF

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in Schools is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 7, as a Higher Education Programme.

Funding
Students completing the Postgraduate Certificate in Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in Schools may apply for the Get Qualified Scheme which will enable them to benefit from a tax credit of 70% of the costs incurred (i.e. €595.00 will be refunded for this course).

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.

Previous courses / training:

– Minimum Level 6 or equivalent as determined by the Course Director Or

Students who have fully completed and passed the Award in Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy in Schools (MQF Level 6) and expressed interest in Pastoral Care in Schools.

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, see Identity Malta’s VISA requirements for third-country nationals.

Introduzzjoni Għal Temi Bażiċi fil-Liturġija – Parroċċa Birkirkara Santa Marija

01/08/2025   Ċentru Parrokkjali, Santa Marija, Birkirkara

Dan il-kors għandu jservi bħala introduzzjoni għal-liturġija mqaddsa, il-quċċata u l-għajn – “l-quċċata li lejha timxi l-ħidma tal-Knisja u fl-istess waqt l-għajn li minnha ġejja kull qawwa tagħha” (S.C 10). Nibdew minn x’inhi l-liturġija, ngħaddu biex naraw iċ-ċelebrazzjoni tal-quddiesa waqt li nitgħallmu fuq l-animazzjoni liturġika, l-Kelma ta’ Alla fil-Liturġija u l-Kredu ta’ Niċea. B’hekk il-parteċipanti li jieħdu sehem b’mod jew ieħor fil-liturġija mqaddsa jikbru fl-għarfien u jifhmu dejjem iktar is-sehem tagħhom fl-ikbar u l-isbaħ talba tal-Knisja.

Operaturi pastorali impenjati fil-liturġija fi ħdan il-parroċċa ta’ Birkirkara.

Target Audience Age: 18+

Il-kors ser isir kull nhar ta’ Tlieta mis-6:30pm sat-7:30pm fiċ-Ċentru Parrokkjali, Santa Marija, Birkirkara.

DataTema/i
21 ta’ Ottubru 2025X’inhi l-Liturġija?
28 ta’ Ottubru 2025Is-Simboli Liturġiċi
4 ta’ Novembru 2025L-Animazzjoni Liturġika
11 ta’ Novembru 2025Il-Kelma ta’ Alla fil-Liturġija
18 ta’ Novembru 2025Il-Kredu ta’ Niċea

Dan il-kors għandu tip ta’ ċertifikat wieħed:

1. Ċertifikat ta’ Attendenza

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

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.

Living Beyond Sunday for Rabat Parish

30/07/2025   Rabat Parish Centre

Our relationship with God is not meant to stay within the walls of our parish church when we leave after Sunday Mass. Instead, “the Mass is ended, go in peace” is an exhortation for us to let what we received during Mass transform our hearts, families, homes, and schools into welcoming places to encounter Christ. This transformation should continue until we gather again the following Sunday to be strengthened and sent forth once more.

In this new course, Living Beyond Sunday, we aim to share ideas to help parents and all those working with children make their time together a place of encounter with God—a place where saints are being made. The course discusses how to foster holiness in all the everyday moments of Catholic life, starting with spiritual pedagogy and moving on to practical ways to celebrate this. It is based on the premise that with small efforts, creativity, and adaptations, it is possible to make what we experience during liturgy appealing, meaningful, and impactful for children.

Rabat pastoral workers and parishioners

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Mondays from 6:30pm to 7:45pm at Rabat Parish Centre

DatesSession
29th September 2025Introduction to the Liturgical Year
6th October 2025The Eucharist: Heart of the Liturgical Year
13th October 2025Advent & Christmas
20th October 2025Lent & the Easter Triduum
27th October 2025Easter & Ordinary Time

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 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.

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.

Award in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults for St Jeanne Antide

28/07/2025   St Jeanne Antide Foundation, Tarxien
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

Members of staff of St Jeanne Antide.

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.

November 2025
Lecturing Period
Mode of DeliveryDate & TimeVenue
In-personThursday 6th
November from 9:30am to 12:30pm		St Jeanne Antide
Foundation, Tarxien
Recorded MaterialThursday 6th November – Thursday 20th NovemberRecorded videos on the VLE platform
Assessment Period:
AssessmentAvailable FromDue by
Short Multiple-Choice Online ExamThursday 6th NovemberThursday 20th November
Reflective JournalThursday 6th NovemberSaturday 6th December

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.

Award in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults for M.U.S.E.U.M.

28/07/2025   3, Triq Vincenzo Dimech, Floriana
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

Members of M.U.S.E.U.M.

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.

October 2025
Lecturing Period
Mode of DeliveryDate & TimeVenue
In-personFriday 10th October
2025 from 5:00pm to 08:00pm		3, Triq Vincenzo Dimech, Floriana
Recorded MaterialFriday 10th October 2025 – Friday 24th October 2025Recorded videos on the VLE platform
Assessment Period:
AssessmentAvailable FromDue by
Short Multiple-Choice Online ExamFriday 10th October 2025Friday 24th October 2025
Reflective JournalFriday 10th October 2025Monday 10th November 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.

Accompanying Couples towards Marriage

14/07/2025   Dar Nazaret, Ħal Tarxien

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 equips experienced and committed married couples to serve as mentors and facilitators in Catholic marriage preparation programs. Through practical and interactive training, participants will strengthen their skills in effective communication, group dynamics, and adult learning facilitation. The course also explores essential dimensions of marriage—including spirituality, sexuality, responsible parenthood, and family life—grounded in Church teaching. Couples will be empowered to accompany, support, and inspire young, engaged couples as they prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage. Ideal for those called to accompany others on the journey to the Sacrament of Marriage.

This course is intended for married couples who are preparing to serve, as mentors and facilitators in marriage preparation programs within parish and diocesan settings.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will take place on Wednesdays from 6:30pm to 9:00pm at Dar Nazaret, Ħal Tarxien.

Date and timeSession
8th October 2025Introduction to the course and manual
Assignment explanation
15th October 2025Group dynamics and effective communication
22nd October 2025God and I
The Sacrament of marriage
29th October 2025Towards a healthy sexual life
Planning the family together
5th November 2025Conflict management – Finding common ground on financial decisions, career and family life
Towards a lifetime-lasting marriage
12th November 2025Towards a marriage that gives life: Ethical considerations
Saturday 22nd November 2025 9.30am – 1.00pmAssessment – Presentations
Following monthsCouple shadowing & reflective journal writing

This course has one exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Achievement

The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours in addition to meeting the attendance criteria above and they successfully complete all assessments, which are a presentation 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.

Certificate in Choral Singing for the Liturgy

04/07/2025

This course offers children musical and vocal training with a focus on sacred and liturgical choral singing. It is entirely dedicated to developing the techniques and skills necessary for performing in choral ensembles, with special emphasis on the sacred and liturgical repertoire of the Roman Catholic Church.

This three-year course will include two weekly sessions throughout the academic year. The sessions will feature an individual singing lesson, music theory, musicianship, music history, and choir practice.

Choral practice is based on the students’ participation in the Pueri Cantores Cathedralis Jubilate Deo that, during the year, puts its training into practice by animating around ten liturgical services, including services in the Cathedral and Co-Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Malta, and also takes part in around three concerts. From time to time there may be additional seminars or workshops on related aspects.

Children aged 12 to 14 who are interested in liturgical singing. Students should have a passion for music, enjoy singing, love to learn, enjoy working in a team, be able to concentrate well, be able to listen carefully, wish to help others to pray, and wish to praise God through music.

The course will begin in October 2025 and take place every Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Archbishop’s Seminary.

The first semester will start from 1 October 2025 to 28 January 2026, while the second semester will take place from 4 February 2026 to 24 June 2026.

This three year course is divided in three modules as follows:

  • Module in Choral Singing
  • Module in Music Theory
  • Module in Musicianship and History

All three modules will run side by side simultaneously thoughtout the three-year period of the course. Dates for the consecutive years will be provided closer to date.

This course has one exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Achievement
The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement when passing the assessment methods for each of the Modules as follows:

Module in Choral Singing

  • ongoing assessment during rehearsals
  • ongoing assessment during performances
  • individual voice assessment

Module in Music Theory

  • theory coursework
  • theory assessment

Module in Musicianship and History

  • ongoing solfeggio assessment
  • ongoing musicianship assessment
  • history viva

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

Access to this programme will be via an audition in which the musical, vocal and aural qualities of the students are thoroughly assessed. The minimum age requirement is 12 years and the maximum for is 14 years.

Award in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults for Manikata Parish

26/06/2025   Manikata Parish
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

Manikata Parish parishioners

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.

September – October 2025
Lecturing Period
Mode of DeliveryDate & TimeVenue
In-personSaturday 6th September 2025 from 9:00am to 12:00pmManikata Parish
Recorded MaterialSaturday 6th September 2025 – Saturday 20th September 2025Recorded videos on the VLE platform
Assessment Period:
AssessmentAvailable FromDue by
Short Multiple-Choice Online ExamSaturday 6th September 2025Saturday 20th September 2025
Reflective JournalSaturday 6th September 2025Monday 6th October 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.