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Malta’s Catholic Churches as Bibles in Stone

16/05/2025

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

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

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

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

Target Audience Age: 18+

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

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

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificate of Attendance

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

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course and pass from short multiple-choice exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hour and pass from a short multiple-choice exam and an assignment.

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
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

  • 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.
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-person20th October 2025
from 5.30pm to 8.30pm		Ta’ Mlit Pastoral Centre, Mosta
Recorded Material21st October – 4th November 2025Recorded videos on the VLE platform
Assessment Period:
AssessmentAvailable FromDue by
Short Multiple-Choice Online Exam21st October 20254th November 2025
Reflective Journal20th October 2025 20th 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.

Introduction to Franciscan Spirituality

03/05/2024   ĊAK

This course delves into the timeless relevance of St Francis of Assisi’s life and teachings, portraying him as both a devoted disciple of Christ and a prophetic figure for our contemporary world. Participants will explore how St Francis’s wisdom can be applied to everyday life, including aspects such as prayer and discernment. Additionally, in anticipation of next year’s Jubilee of Hope, participants will explore St Francis as a companion figure for the upcoming Jubilee.

  • Franciscan collaborators
  • Individuals interested to explore and deepen their knowledge in Franciscan Spirituality

Target Audience Age: 18+

Session
Introduction – The Saint’s Life
The Franciscan Rule
The Mysteries of the Incarnation and Easter in the life of St Francis of Assisi
Agiography
St Francis and the Word of God
St Francis’s Testament
The Contemplative Dimension and the Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi
St Francis of Assisi and the Jubilee of Hope
Franciscan Discernment
The Franciscan Dimension of the Liturgy and Particular Devotions
The Economy of Francesco
Franciscan Spirituality in Everyday Life
Half-Day Seminar on The Canticle of Creation*

*Seminar venue will be different from lecture venue.

This course has three 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 Participation

To obtain a Certificate of Participation, students must:

  • attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hours
  • successfully complete and pass from a short multiple-choice exam

3. Certificate of Achievement

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must:

  • attend a minimum of 80% of all contact hours
  • successfully complete and pass from a short multiple-choice exam
  • successfully complete and pass from 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.