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Introduction to Sacred Scriptures

16/05/2024

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/.

The Bible is not a single work, but a library of books that, while sharing the same divine authorship, differ greatly in their styles, history, cultural background, themes, and interpretation.

Through this course, students can expect to develop a basic understanding of why and how the Bible came to be, considering its different sources, transmission, redaction, consolidation, and intentions.

By integrating their newly acquired knowledge of the Bible’s history and the roles of divine inspiration and human cooperation in its creation, students will be able to interpret Biblical passages with greater depth, meaning, and truth. They will also learn to recognize and avoid common errors in Scriptural interpretation. Above all, they will grow in their passion for God as present in His Word.

  • Pastoral Workers involved in the Ministry of the Word.
  • Christians committed to continual growth in their relationship with God, who, however, have little to no experience in the formal study of Sacred Scripture.

Target Audience Age: 18+

Students have the option to join this course online via Zoom

Session
Canonicity
Inspiration
History of the Old Testament
History of the New Testament
Hermeneutics

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

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

The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement when attending a minimum of 80% of all contact hours for this course, pass from 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.

Living Beyond Sunday

09/05/2024

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/.

Our relationship with God is not supposed to stay within the walls of our parish church when we leave after Sunday Mass. Instead, ‘the mass is ended go in the peace’ is an exhortation so that what we received during mass transform our hearts, our families, our homes, and our schools into a welcoming place to encounter Christ until we gather again the following Sunday to be strengthened and sent forth once again.


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; it shares how to foster holiness in all the little everyday moments in Catholic life starting from the spiritual pedagogy and moving on to giving practical ways to celebrate this based on the premise that with little attempts, creativity, effort, and adaptations, it is possible to make that which we live during liturgy appealing, meaningful and have a powerful impact on the children.

Pastoral workers helping in children’s ministry, chaplaincy teams in schools, parents, catechists, leaders of family groups and those interested in the subject.

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*

DatesSession
8th October 2025Introduction: Children’s Spirituality and their relationship with God
15th October 2025Introduction to the Liturgy & Liturgical Year
Fundamentals of Liturgy Preparation
22nd October 2025Advent and Christmas
Ordinary Time
29th October 2025Lent and Easter Triduum
5th November 2025Easter
Ordinary Time and Celebrating Saints
12nd November 2025Seminar – Sharing Good Practice*

*Participation in the seminar, is required to be in person.

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

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 Participation

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

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.

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.

Basic Customer Care Skills for Parish Office Staff

15/02/2024
Basic Customer Skills

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 aims to equip participants with both practical skills for front office roles and a deeper understanding of how these skills can be applied within the context of the Church’s mission and ethos. It emphasizes the importance of customer care not only as a professional responsibility but also as a form of ministry and outreach.

Thus, participants will have the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills in basic customer care and front office skills, as a means for new evangelisation.

Parish staff who work in the front office.

Target Audience Age: 18+

TBA

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 Participation
The student will receive a Certificate of Participation when attending a minimum of 80% of all
contact hours and successfully complete a short multiple-choice online exam.

Digital: Applicants are required to be digitally literate especially, in office suites.

Award in Creating & Animating Prayer Spaces

21/11/2023
MQF

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Creating and Animating Prayer Spaces is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5, 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. €87.50 will be refunded for this course).

This course offers participants a comprehensive understanding of establishing and managing prayer spaces within diverse settings. Through theoretical insights and practical training, participants will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to create and oversee prayer spaces effectively. Additionally, the course provides a transformative journey for participants, fostering deeper connections with themselves, others, the world, and the divine through engaging with prayer spaces. Participants will learn to accompany others on their spiritual journeys, facilitating exploration of faith, spirituality, and life’s fundamental questions in a supportive and interactive environment.

Emphasizing the shift from mere functionality to a more meaningful existence, the course encourages participants to appreciate and reflect upon relationships, recognizing the profound impact of mindful engagement. Whether in educational institutions, community centres, workplaces, or outdoor settings, participants will explore the versatility of prayer spaces, understanding their potential to enrich lives and foster spiritual growth.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

  1. Define what a prayer space is;
  2. Identify different age groups of children and young people attending the prayer space;
  3. Communicate in different ways with children, young people, or adults according to their age, culture, and language during a prayer space;
  4. Identify suitable interested members of the staff/personnel who are willing to form a team to prepare and animate prayer spaces in their respective schools;
  5. Draw up a plan for planning, preparing, setting up, and running prayer spaces;
  6. Report what educators and students said after they have experienced prayer spaces for themselves;
  7. Evaluate what went well, identify difficulties and challenges in setting a prayer space;
  8. Understand that at the most basic level, prayer spaces give students a way to reflect and develop reflective thinking skills in terms of the four key relationships: the self, others, the world, and God;
  9. Make a connection between prayer spaces and other subjects
  1. Reflect personally on a prayer space;
  2. Plan a prayer space;
  3. Prepare for the setting of prayer spaces;
  4. Create simple and clear instruction cards, and prepare the resources related to the prayer space;
  5. Set up the physical prayer space in any given space and/or venue.
  6. Demonstrate a welcoming attitude to all children and young people of all faith and none who will be experiencing a prayer space;
  7. Lead the children and young people to the safe, hands-on, creative prayer space and, when necessary, animate the prayer spaces;
  8. Show a sense of accompaniment and being there for the person;
  9. Operate with other members of staff who wish to give a helping hand before, during, and after the setting of a prayer space activity;
  10. Recruit and train a prayer space team;
  11. Run a Prayer Space;
  12. Do a follow-up of a prayer spaces session.

This course is targeted at all those who wish to help children, young people, and adults grow in their prayer life, namely:

  • Educators,
  • Catechists,
  • Youth workers,
  • Youth leaders,
  • Youth ministers,
  • Religious counsellors,
  • Chaplains and lay chaplains,
  • Priests and religious.  

Target Audience Age: 18+

Throughout the course, participants will have the opportunity to engage with prayer spaces first-hand.

Participants will be introduced to the concepts of prayer, spirituality, and religion. Participants will also become aware of the differences between superficiality and meaning-making, focusing on being, and the development of symbolic language.

Participants will explore the significance of prayer spaces, which embody spiritual, reflective, inclusive, professional, and Christian values.

Participants will learn that prayer spaces help individuals reflect and develop reflective thinking skills, viewing this process in terms of four key relationships: the self, other people, the world, and the sacred/divine. They will also learn that spirituality is inherent in everyone, and that God, in various ways, interacts with and cares for each individual.

Participants will learn how to initiate prayer spaces.

Participants will learn how to select and develop prayer activities aimed at the self, others, the world, and God, incorporating a variety of learning styles, including writing, listening, observation, reading, and hands-on activities.

Participants will learn how to recruit and train an effective prayer space team. Participants will learn to select individuals who embody qualities such as prayerfulness, inclusivity, reflection, professionalism, and safety. Additionally, participants will discover techniques for establishing a welcoming prayer space accessible to all visitors. They will also gain insights into collecting feedback and producing follow-up reports.

Click here to view and download a detailed course description

This course will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:00pm – 8:00pm

DateSession
17th November 2025Introduction to Prayer
19th November 2025The Values of Prayer Spaces
24th November 2025The Purpose of Prayer Spaces and Prayer Spaces Theology
26th November 2025Preparing for the Setting of Prayer Spaces
1st December 2025Creating Prayer Activities
3rd December 2025Recruiting and Training a Prayer Space Team,
Running a Prayer Space and Follow-up

Certification:  

This course has three exit certificate options: 

  1. Certificate of Attendance

To obtain a Certificate of Attendance, students must attend at least 80% of the course’s contact hours. 

2. Certificate of Participation

To obtain a Certificate of Participation, students must attend at least 80% of the course’s contact hours and pass from short multiple-choice exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement 

To obtain a Certificate of Achievement, students must: 

  • attend at least 80% of the course’s contact hours 
  • pass from short multiple-choice online exam
  • pass from written assignment

EQF/MQF Level: Level 5

Accreditation Category: Higher Education Programme

Total ECTS: 2 ECTS

MQF

The Pastoral Formation Institute is licensed by MFHEA
(Licence #: 2013-FHI-023) as a Further and Higher Educational Institute. The Award in Creating and Animating Prayer Spaces is accredited at EQF/MQF Level 5, as a Higher Education Programme.

Funding
Students completing the Award in Creating & Animating Prayer Spaces 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. €87.50 will be refunded for this course).

Teaching and Awarding 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. Kindly submit a copy of your highest qualification in the application form below.

Language: Primary level understanding of Maltese and English.

Digital: Knows how to access the internet and use a word processor.

Introduction to Parish Ministry

25/10/2023
Introduction to Parish Ministry

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/.

“If the parish proves capable of self-renewal and constant adaptivity, it continues to be ‘the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters”

Pope Francis.

Throughout this course, participants will explore the parish as a significant symbol of God’s presence in our community. The course will start by delving into the contemporary reality of today’s parish. Participants will then proceed to learn about the different roles within the Church; identifying the decision-making bodies of the Church and different ministries in a parish, highlighting the importance of everyone’s participation. This will include a discussion on effective teamwork and service to others. Attendees will then be introduced to the principles of communal discernment, examining its definition, tools, and practical applications. The course will conclude by presenting a model of communal discernment, elucidating the different roles within it, and outlining the composition of discerning groups.

Specifically tailored for those actively involved in parish ministry, the course seeks to inspire a deeper commitment to the renewal of parishes, aligning them as vibrant evangelizing entities in today’s society, guided by recent teachings on parish life.

  • Pastoral Workers, especially those involved in decision-making bodies.
  • Individuals interested in the subject

Target Audience Age: 19+

TBA

This course has three exit certificate options:

1. Certificates 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 attending a minimum 80% of all
contact hours for this course and passing from short multiple-choice online exam.

3. Certificate of Achievement
The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement when:

  • attending a minimum 80% of all contact hours
  • passing short multiple-choice online exams and written assessment

Language: Applicants are required to have an understanding of Maltese and be fluent in English.
Digital: Applicants are required to be digitally literate especially, in office suites.

Introduction to Diakonia

25/10/2023
Introduction to Diakonia

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 online course will explore the roots of Diakonia in Sacred Scripture and early Christian communities. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the relationship between Diakonia, faith, and prayer while delving into key areas of Catholic Social Teaching. Additionally, participants will examine the evolution of Diakonia in Malta and learn about available services.

This course is intended for:

  • Individuals who are already involved in Diakonia and wish to deepen their involvement in it.
  • Individuals who are interested in becoming involved in Diakonia.
  • Individuals who are interested in offering Diakonia-related services through a Church entity that they form part of.

N.B. completing this course does not entitle the student to automatically become a pastoral operator engaged in Djakonija within any specific parish. Such appointments are made at the discretion of the Parish Priest/Chaplain of the respective Parish/community.

Target Audience Age: 18+

The course will be delivered entirely through a series of pre-recorded lectures accessible on our VLE platform at a time and place convenient for you.

In these pre-recorded lectures, the following subjects will be covered:

  1. Biblical meaning of the word Diakonia and the word in the Old Testament;
  2. Djakonija in the New Testament with special reference to Acts;
  3. Djakonija in the first communities – the link between kerygma, koinonia, diakonia and liturgia;
  4. Personal prayer life leads me to Diakonia;
  5. The link between faith and life is one of the cornerstones of Christian theology and can be described in a variety of ways. For St Paul, “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”;
  6. Evangelisation, djakonija and the digital age;
  7. Malta’s reality has changed – what are today’s sociological ‘pains’?;
  8. The Preferential Option for the Poor & the four pillars of Catholic social teaching; human dignity common good, subsidiarity and solidarity;
  9. How the Church in Malta was a pioneer in the Diakonia sector;
  10. What Diakonia services are being offered today? What are the different types of professionals working in this field?

This course has three exit certificate options: 

  1. Certificate of Attendance

The student will receive a Certificate of Attendance upon viewing all pre-recorded lectures on our VLE platform.

2. Certificate of Participation

The student will receive a Certificate of Participation upon viewing all pre-recorded lectures on our VLE platform and passing short multiple-choice examinations.

3. Certificate of Achievement

The student will receive a Certificate of Achievement upon viewing all pre-recorded lectures on our VLE platform, passing a short multiple-choice examination, and passing from a written assignment.

Language: A primary level understanding of Maltese and English is required.

Digital: Ability to access the internet and use an office suite is required.

Introduction to Holy Communion

01/01/2023   Online

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/.

Course Description

The course Introduction to the Eucharist is designed to give the extraordinary minister formation and direction for distributing communion during masses and to be a guide to help him/her in taking communion to those who are unable to join the community in person. By the end of this course the student will: 

  • have a basic biblical and theological understanding of the teachings related to the Eucharist.   
  • know the language in which liturgical worship is explicit. 
  • learn most matters concerning the rite of Communion.  
  • learn to appreciate more the sacrament of Holy Communion. 
  • acquire a deeper knowledge of the role of the extraordinary minister. 
  • grasp the spiritual meaning that this role entails

Intended For

  • Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion who provide a service during church masses, in residential elderly homes or homebound sick persons.   
  • Those who wish to learn to appreciate more the sacrament of Holy Communion. 
  • Those who are starting their service as extraordinary ministers. 

Please Note: Doing this course does not entitle the student to become an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. Extraordinary ministers are chosen by the pastor of the parish/community. 

Curriculum

Part 1: God With Us – Dogmatic Theology 
  1. Christian theology on God’s revelation in the Eucharist.  
  2. The communitarian dimension of the Eucharist.  
  3. Eucharistic miracles around the world.  
  4. Re-actualisation – understanding the past, present and future dimensions of the sacraments.  
  5. Terminology for the Blessed Sacrament.  
Part 2: The Biblical Foundations of the Eucharist
  1. The scriptural perspective of the Church’s teachings on the Eucharist. 
  2. The foreshadowing of the Eucharist in the Old Testament. 
  3. The Last Supper narratives. 
  4. The testimony of St Paul on the Eucharist. 
  5. Exegesis. 
 
Part 3: The Eucharist in Daily Life 
  1. The role of the extraordinary minister at mass and at home. 
  2. The effects of the Eucharist on the community. 
  3. Cultivating my relationship with God through the Eucharist. 
  4. Way of life of the extraordinary minister. 
  5. The spiritual dimension of the role of the Eucharistic minister – testimonials:  

Calendar

The course is delivered in short, recorded sessions which are each about 18 minutes long. The student will be provided with a username and a password so s/he can watch these sessions on his/her own device. The total number of minutes amounts to 5-6 hours including the assessment.

Usernames and passwords will be sent to students within a week of payment confirmation.

Assessment & Certification

Assessment: Multiple choice test after each online session. The pass mark is 60%. 

Certificate: Certificate of completion will be awarded to those who complete all the sessions and pass all the assessments.

An electronic certificate will be sent via email, within a week of successfully completing the course.

Awarding and Teaching Institution: Pastoral Formation Institute

Entry Requirement

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.

A very well-prepared course – portraying the beauty of the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Unfortunately, we tend to take the Eucharist for granted. After following the course, you become more aware of the importance behind this ministry.
Maria Farrugia
It is more than an introduction – it highlights the treasure we have in the Catholic faith of having the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and how honoured we should feel when we are called to share in the eucharistic ministry.
Sr Teresa Tonna
Thank you for this enriching experience. It helped me grow spiritually and gave me the opportunity to look at the sacrament of the eucharist in a profound way.
Melanie Ungaro
Since I work in a church school and I’m directly involved in the spiritual formation of our students I had wanted to do this course. The way it was presented was very convenient to do it at my own time. Found it very informative and interesting
Eugenia Blake
The course has challenged me and also helped me to believe more in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. I also thank the team of PFI.
Sr Rosemary Onyinyechi Akamnonu
I thoroughly enjoyed this course. Lectures were short, to the point & well delivered. Apart from providing me with factual information about the Eucharist, this course has deepened my appreciation and love for the Blessed Sacrament.
Christine Galea