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Finding your way around

by PFI Administrator -

Would you like some help in finding your way around Moodle? Click the following link for some helpful videos;

If you have any difficulties please do not hesitate in contacting the PFI team

Sincerely

Deborah Ebejer 

Marketing & Communication Coordinator

Pastoral Formation Institute

Email: digital@pfi.edu.mt

Website: www.pfi.edu.mt


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Available courses

“Christian art offers the believer a theme for reflection and acts as an aid to enter into contemplation in intense prayer, similar to a moment of catachesis…”

Pontifical Council for Culture, the ‘Via Pulchritudinis’, 2006, III.2C

Over time and across cultures, humans have always sought to express the ineffable – those phenomena and mysteries which, for centuries, have captivated man’s imagination.

What mysteries do their creations, in turn, conceal?

What may this incredible artistic heritage reveal about the evolution of human thought, belief, and the manner in which man related and reacted to the natural world and beyond?

Moreover, what insights, as Christians, may we attain and contemplate today, from a twenty-first-century perspective?

The course seeks to explore and address these questions by delving deeply into different forms of expression—religious or otherwise—and the myriad of ways these may be engaged with theologically.   


This is a course test on Moodle to test new features on the platform

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 student will be able to:

  1. familiarise himself/herself 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

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 student will be able to:

  1. familiarise himself/herself 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

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 student will be able to:

  1. familiarise himself/herself 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

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 student will be able to:

  1. familiarise himself/herself 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

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 student will be able to:

  1. familiarise himself/herself 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

F’dawn il-videos qosra ser nimxu pass pass fuq l-aspetti spiritwali u profondi tal-Ġimgħa Mqaddsa biex inkunu nistgħu nifhmu iktar dan il-Misteru tas-Salvazzjoni hekk kbir u importanti fil-ħajja Nisranija. Nibdew minn Ħadd il-Palm u d-daħla lejn Ġerusalemm (il-belt il-maħbuba li ma taċċettax l-imħabba), it-twaqqif tal-Ewkaristija f’Ħamis ix-Xirka u t-tifsira tal-ħasil tar-riġlejn, is-silenzju fil-Ġimgħa l-Kbira, l-istennija ma’ Marija s-Sibt filgħodu, it-tiġdid fil-velja tal-Għid bis-simboli tan-nar (id-dawl tal-ħajja), l-ilma li jippurifika lejn il-Glorja ta’ Sibt il-Għid u Ħadd il-Għid.

Il-parteċipanti ser ikunu akkumpanjati matul din il-Ġimgħa Mqaddsa bir-riflessjonijiet bibliċi u b’analiżi spiritwali. Il-mixja spiritwali ta’ kull Nisrani hija relatata mat-tbatija li għadda minnha Ġesù, speċjalment fil-mumenti tat-tradiment, solitudni, ġudizzju, biża’ u deċiżjonijiet diffiċli.

L-għan huwa li l-parteċipanti jaslu għall-għarfien tal-Qawmien, il-konsolazzjoni u tiġdid spiritwali. Imissu mal-umiltà u l-għotja ta’ Ġesù fil-mixja tiegħu fuq din l-art, mill-qtugħ il-qalb fil-Ġnien tal-Ġetsemani, il-perseveranza matul il-passjoni sa ma wasal fil-glorja tal-qawmien.


The course is designed to inspire and empower participants in taking a stand on sustainability, both in their personal lives and in their communities.

Learning Outcomes
  • Understand the basic Environmental, Social, and Development Challenges we are facing as a country and globally.
  • Apply critical thinking skills to bring about sustainable choices in their day-to-day life.
  • Apply critical thinking skills to bring about sustainable change at a household, institution, and community level.
  • Reflect critically on their roles and identities as active citizens, consumers, and change-makers in a complex and interconnected world.

The Developing Environmental Responsibility is offered by the Pastoral Formation Institute in collaboration with intekoCEER(University of Malta), and the Interdiocesan Commission for the Environment.


The aim of the course is to train Consecrated persons in the realm of Leadership. This requires being endowed and flanked with the psychospiritual, group dynamics and various Leadership skills that are touchstones in the course. The course is enriched by a balance between lectures and workshops.

At the end of the course, the participants will have the experience of a half-day spiritual retreat in order to ponder further on the creative and important aspects of spirituality in the realm of modern leadership.


This course will give the participants a basic knowledge of the main topics of Theology. Starting with an introduction to Faith and the Church. A deep understanding of the Holy Scriptures. Catholic Social Teaching, is an area of Catholic doctrine concerning matters of human dignity and the common good in society. The Catholic Liturgy. The history of the Church and the dogmatic theology. With the last topic on the Structure of the Church.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this course, the student will be able to have a basic knowledge of Theology and understand better the foundations of the Christian belief, Holy Scriptures, Catholic Social Teaching, Liturgy, History of the Church, and its structures.


Inspired by the biblical verse “your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” Psalm 119, the aim of this short course is to equip catechists with the information needed regarding the main biblical books which are key texts of the Christian life and of the catechesis for children, adolescents and adults. 

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

  • to understand more about the books of the Pentateuch, the Prophets, and the Gospels;
  • to understand what parables are and how they are different from stories and other genres;
  • to understand the miracles as described in the Bible;
  • to respond appropriately when students ask questions related to the Bible;
  • to apply what they have learnt to a young audience.

This course aims at accompanying consecrated women and men by inviting them to deepen their formation in Ecclesial Magisterium and Canon Law. 

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, the participants will:

  • become aware of what the teachings of the magisterium and of canon law in the realm of consecrated life are;
  • be able to reflect, analyse and synthesise the applicability of canon law in various circumstances through workshops and case studies

The aim of this course is to empower persons who do not have any academic background in the psychological sector, such as pastoral workers; volunteers; and other persons interested in improving their relationships, with the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes needed whilst interacting with parishioners or other persons. This course introduces pastoral workers or volunteers to helping skills, theories, and approaches.

Through studying and discussing these methods, students become more aware of the tools which help them in their work with different people who come from various cultural and social backgrounds. The course aims to create an opportunity to reflect on the methods they use during their work and relationships and evaluate their work.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

  • understand the basic helping theories and skills;
  • know how to listen and respond appropriately;
  • be able to support the person emotionally and spiritually;
  • know when to refer a person to professional help.

The aim of this course is to empower persons who do not have any academic background in the psychological sector, such as pastoral workers; volunteers; and other persons interested in improving their relationships, with the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes needed whilst interacting with parishioners or other persons. This course introduces pastoral workers or volunteers to helping skills, theories, and approaches.

Through studying and discussing these methods, students become more aware of the tools which help them in their work with different people who come from various cultural and social backgrounds. The course aims to create an opportunity to reflect on the methods they use during their work and relationships and evaluate their work.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

  • understand the basic helping theories and skills;
  • know how to listen and respond appropriately;
  • be able to support the person emotionally and spiritually;
  • know when to refer a person to professional help.

Lecture 1:
Lecture 2:
Lecture 3:
  • Reading Basil and Cassian – selected texts
  • Bernard of Clairvaux - the purification of Benedict

Lecture 1:
  • The Three Benedictine Vows – Obedience, Stability, and Conversion of Manners
  • The Three Components of the Benedictine Day – Ora et Labora et Lege
Lecture 2:
  • The Ten Benedictine Values – I: The Three Ls – Listening, Lectio Divina, Liturgy
  • The Ten Benedictine Values – II: The Three Hs – Humility, Humanity and Hospitality
Lecture 3:
  • The Ten Benedictine Values – III: The Four Ss – Spiritual Fatherhood, Stability, seeking God, and Silences
  • The seventy-two instruments of good works

Lecture 1: Introduction
    • Benedictine Places and things: Via Benedicti, Pax inter Spinas, Pax, the Benedictine Medal, and St Benedict from the Dialogues of St Gregory the Great Book 2
      Reading St Benedict 1 – Introduction on preparing a personalized list of Benedict’s maxims 
    • Prologue, Chapter 73, texts on the Abbot
Lecture 2:
    • Texts on Meekness and Obedience
    • Texts on Prayer and Liturgy
Lecture 3:
    • A school of the Lord’s Service
    • Texts on Synodality

25th May 2023Communal DiscernmentRev. Dr Andre Zaffarese
1st June 2023The Holy Spirit in Sacred Art: Representations of the Holy Spirit: From symbol to signMs Giulia Privitelli
Friday: 2nd June 2023The Holy Spirit in Sacred Art: Retrieving “likeness”: From idols to iconsMs Giulia Privitelli


20th April 2023Western Liturgy: The Liturgy as an action of the Holy SpiritRev. Stephen Attard
27th April 2023Western Liturgy: The four concepts and accompanying gestures in the Post-Second Vatican Council Liturgical Texts    Rev. Stephen Attard
4th May 2023Western Liturgy: Holy Orders and Marriage/The Vigil and Day Mass of the Solemnity of PentecostRev. Stephen Attard
11th May 2023Eastern Liturgy: The work of the Holy Spirit in the Byzantine LiturgyPapas Prof. Martin Zammit
18th May 2023Eastern Liturgy: The Anaphors in the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and St BasilPapas Prof. Martin Zammit


23rd February 2023Patristic Theology: Early PneumatologyRev. Dr Jonathan Farrugia
2nd March 2023Patristic Theology: Third Century Tertullian OrigenRev. Dr Jonathan Farrugia
9th March 2023Patristic Theology: Fourth and Fifth CenturiesRev. Dr Jonathan Farrugia
16th March 2023Dogmatic Theology: The Holy TrinityRev. Prof. Hector Scerri
23rd March 2023Dogmatic Theology: The work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ life and the mission of the ChurchRev. Prof. Hector Scerri
30th March 2023Dogmatic Theology: The Holy Spirit in the Papal MagisteriumRev. Prof. Hector Scerri


19th January 2023Holy Spirit in the Old Testament: The ‘Spirit of God’Rev. Dr Paul Sciberras
26th January 2023Holy Spirit in the Old Testament: The ‘Spirit in Prophecy’Rev. Dr Paul Sciberras
2nd February 2023Holy Spirit in the New Testament: Holy Spirit in the Synoptic GospelsRev. Dr Martin Micallef
9th February 2023Holy Spirit in the New Testament: Holy Spirit in the Gospel of JohnRev. Dr Martin Micallef
16th February 2023Holy Spirit in the New Testament: The Holy Spirit as a central theme in the Letters of St PaulRev. Dr Martin Micallef