PFI Courses – Page 4 – Pastoral Formation Institute

King David: Hero or Villain?

14/05/2025

The course aims to provide participants with a better understanding of the figure of King David in the Bible. Various aspects relating to Kind David will be considered, shedding light both on aspects for which he may be considered a hero, and also on those for which he may be considered a villain. This is a study whereby one is called to reflect on the different facets, both positive and negative, that may be present in the same character. Among these are the ambitious nature, the traitor, being a sinner, the father figure, and also his saintly aspects.

This course is suitable for pastoral workers helping in the Ministry of the Word. It is also ideal for people who would like to delve deeper in knowledge about King David and all Christians who would like to continue to invest in their relationship with God.

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

28th January 2026	David the Ambitious
4th February 2026	David the Traitor
11th February 2026	David the Sinner
18th February 2026	David the Father
25th February 2026	David the Saint

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.

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.

Sacraments Explained: for Parents

14/05/2025

The sacraments are central to the Christian faith and act as visible signs of God’s grace and an invitation to deepen our spiritual journey. This course is designed for parents to deepen their understanding of the sacraments particularly the Eucharist and Confession, not only to enrich their own faith but also to pass on these values to their children. The concluding seminar will be an opportunity for reflection, discussion and activities for parents to encourage the transmission of faith within their family.

Parents of children in catechism classes.

Target Audience Age: 18+

Further details will be announced later.

This course has one exit certificate option:

1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance when attending this course.

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.

Journey with the Psalms

14/05/2025

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 invites participants to explore the timeless wisdom of the Book of Psalms as a guide for spiritual depth and reflection throughout life’s journey. As such, the programme delves into the Psalter as the Bible’s prayer book (cf. CCC 2587). Through prayer and personal reflection, participants are encouraged to internalise this knowledge, deepening their spiritual understanding of the Psalms and their relevance to both the joys and challenges of life.

Pastoral Workers involved in general ministry.
Christians committed to continual growth in their relationship with God, who, however, have little to no experience in the formal study of prayer.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The dates will be announced later

Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom

Introduction to the Book of Psalms

Psalms of Wonder and Trust

Psalms of Seeking and Calling

Psalms of Ascent and Descent – Perseverance in the journey

Psalms of Thanksgiving and Wisdom

Psalms of Trust and Hope

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

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

Ignatian Rules of Spiritual Discernment

14/05/2025

“Discernment” has become a buzzword in contemporary Church circles, thanks to late Pope Francis’ frequent invitations to undertaking discerning processes.

The influence of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola (founder of the Jesuit order) is clear: indeed, some of the more famous and more frequently quoted parts of this classic Christian work are in fact the “Rules for Discernment of Spirits”. Centuries of Church experience have proven these rules to be a solid foundation for proceeding in a journey of discernment with greater security and depth.

By attending this course, students will become familiar with the Rules for Discernment of Spirits outlined by St. Ignatius in his Exercises: their content, their timing within the dynamic of the Spiritual Exercises, their continuing validity and correct implementation in today’s world. Enriched by this knowledge, students will then also explore Ignatius’ proposals for how to pray about fundamental life choices.

Christians committed to continual growth in their relationship with God
Individuals with at least some experience of spiritual direction or of spiritual discernment

Target Audience Age: 18+

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

Date	Session
1st October 2025	What are the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola?
8th October 2025	Rules regarding Spiritual Consolation
15th October 2025	Rules regarding Spiritual Desolation
22nd October 2025	Going deeper
29th October 2025	Making life choices

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.

Growing in the Franciscan Way

13/05/2025 Various

This course offers a deepening exploration of Franciscan spirituality through key themes and figures that shaped the Franciscan movement. Building on the foundations of St Francis’ life and teachings, participants will engage with the spiritual journeys of St Clare and the 2nd Order, the emergence of the 3rd Order, and the lived experience of Franciscan values in contemporary life. Special focus will be given to Francis’ relationship with the Eucharist, the Holy Spirit, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, while also reflecting on how the Franciscan vision continues to inspire efforts toward justice, peace, and care for the vulnerable. The course will highlight the relevance of the Franciscan charism as a model for renewal in the Church today.

This course is designed for Franciscan Collaborators and individuals interested to explore and deepen their knowledge in Franciscan Spirituality.

Target Audience Age: 18+

October 2025

Date and Time	Session	Venue
11th October 9:30am – 12:30pm	Clare and the Monastic Life (the 2^nd Order)	St. Clare’s Monastery San Gwann
14th October 6:00pm – 8:00pm	The 3^rd Order and the Secular Franciscan Order	ĊAK, Birkirkara
21th October 6:00pm – 8:00pm	The Rules of St. Clare and the 3^rd Order	ĊAK, Birkirkara
28th October 6:00pm – 8:00pm	The Inspiration of Saint Francis; a model for the Church	ĊAK, Birkirkara

November 2025

4th November 6:00pm – 8:00pm	The Franciscan ideal for more just social systems	ĊAK, Birkirkara
8th November 9:30am – 12:30pm	Seminar	Convent of the Capuchins, Kalkara
11th November 6:00pm – 8:00pm	Social Communication and the Franciscan Spirituality	ĊAK, Birkirkara
18th November 6:00pm – 8:00pm	St Francis and the Eucharist	ĊAK, Birkirkara
25th November 6:00pm – 8:00pm	The role of the Holy Spirit in the life of Saint Francis	ĊAK, Birkirkara

December 2025

2nd December 6:00pm – 8:00pm	Saint Francis and the Blessed Virgin Mary	ĊAK, Birkirkara
9th December 6:00pm – 8:00pm	Important figures inspired by Saint Francis	ĊAK, Birkirkara

January 2026

17th January
9am – 12:30pm

Closing Seminar

Burmarrad Parish House

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 presentation.

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.

Walking with the Bereaved

12/05/2025

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 introductory course is designed for pastoral workers and lay people who assist the funeral arrangements and preparations within the parish together with individuals who offer support to mourning individuals. The course aims to equip participants with essential training and awareness to provide compassionate and emotionally sensitive support to grieving individuals.

This course is designed for pastoral workers who assist with funeral arrangements and preparations within the parish and other lay people who support mourning individuals.

Target Audience Age: 18+

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

Date	Session
6th October 2025	Understanding Grief and Bereavement
13th October 2025	Types of Grief with Biblical Examples
20th October 2025	The Role of the Pastoral Workers in Grief Support
27th October 2025	Supporting Grieving Families and Communities
10th November 2025	Walking with the Bereaved Beyond the Funeral
17th November 2025	Long-Term Bereavement Care and Self-Care for Pastors

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.

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.

20/10/2025 – Award in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

07/04/2025

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:

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

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

Employees who work with children and vulnerable adults
Employees who handle children and vulnerable adults` data
Volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults
Volunteers who handle children and vulnerable adults` data.

Code	Mode of Delivery	Value
PFE/SCA4-23	Blended Learning	1 ECTS

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

3 hours – In person session (Face-to-Face Learning)
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 Delivery	Date & Time	Venue
In-person	20th October 2025 from 5.30pm to 8.30pm	Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta
Recorded Material	21st October – 4th November 2025	Recorded videos on the VLE platform

Assessment Period:

Assessment	Available From	Due by
Short Multiple-Choice Online Exam	21st October 2025	4th November 2025
Reflective Journal	20th October 2025	20th November 2025

This course has three exit certificate options:

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.

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)

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

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.

Masterclass 4 – Technique of Choral Singing (for adult voices)

27/03/2025 Archbishop's Seminary

This masterclass offers basic and more advanced vocal technique required from a chorister involved in the field of sacred and liturgical music.

Basic musical knowledge would be considered an asset but not mandatory.

This course is intended for choristers and choir masters involved in the field of sacred and liturgical choral music. Basic musical knowledge would be considered an asset but not mandatory.

This masterclass will be delivered by Prof. Catharina Scharp (AERCO Academy Bologna, freelance voice teacher) on 11th October 2025 as follows:

9:00am – 12:00pm – Session 1

12:00pm – 1:30pm – Lunch Break*

1:30pm – 4:30pm – Session 2

*If you have any food allergies/intolerances, kindly send us an email on [email protected].

All participants in this course will receive a certificate of attendance (AFF Level 3) issued by the Pastoral Formation Institute in collaboration with the Academy of Sacred Music Francesco Azopardi and AERCO Academy (Bologna).

If you have any food allergies/intolerances, kindly send us an email on [email protected].

Masterclass 3 – Introduction to Sacred Polyphony

27/03/2025 Archbishop's Seminary

This masterclass offers an overview of the history of sacred polyphony, the development of mensural notation, imitation and independence of voices, the interpretation of texts, the role of polyphony within the Catholic liturgy, and the influence of the great masters of polyphony (such as Palestrina, de Victoria…) on church music, and interpretation of polyphonic music (involves the active participation of attendees).

Basic musical knowledge would be considered an asset but not mandatory.

This course is intended for choristers, choir masters, and anyone who is interested in the sacred polyphony music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Basic musical knowledge would be considered an asset for the practical session of the masterclass.

This masterclass will be delivered by Prof. Andrea Angelini (AERCO Academy Bologna, Professor of Choral Conducting at Venezia State Conservatory ‘Benedetto Marcello’) on 27th September 2025 as follows:

9:00am – 12:00pm – Session 1

12:00pm – 1:30pm – Lunch Break*

1:30pm – 4:30pm – Session 2

*If you have any food allergies/intolerances, kindly send us an email on [email protected].

If you have any food allergies/intolerances, kindly send us an email on [email protected].

Masterclass 2 – Conducting for Maestri di Cappella

27/03/2025 Archbishop's Seminary

This masterclass shall offer a technical insight in the art of conducting, focusing on the technical aspects of conducting (orchestras, choirs, and soloists), rehearsal techniques, and achieving the best results particularly in the context of church music during Maltese festas. Participants will be working with a live orchestra on repertoire that is typical of local festa liturgical music.

Advanced musical knowledge (at least diploma level) is required. Please submit a copy of your highest musical qualification with your application form below.

This course is intended for conductors who are already involved or would like to be involved as Maestro di Cappella in local parishes.

Advanced musical knowledge (at least diploma level) is required. Please submit a copy of your highest musical qualification with your application form below.

This masterclass will be delivered by Prof. Juan Jose Navarro (University of Almeria) on 28th June 2025 as follows:

9:00am – 12:00pm – Session 1

12:00pm – 1:30pm – Lunch Break*

1:30pm – 4:30pm – Session 2

*If you have any food allergies/intolerances, kindly send us an email on [email protected].

All participants in this course will receive a certificate of attendance (AFF Level 3) issued by the Pastoral Formation Institute in collaboration with the Academy of Sacred Music Francesco Azopardi.

If you have any food allergies/intolerances, kindly send us an email on [email protected].