This course introduces the principles and practices of communal discernment in the Catholic tradition. Participants will explore how communities can prayerfully seek God’s will together, grounded in Scripture, Church teaching, and Ignatian spirituality. Through reflection, dialogue, and practical exercises, you will learn to integrate spiritual listening and mission-oriented decision-making in your context.
This course introduces the principles and practices of communal discernment in the Catholic tradition. Participants will explore how communities can prayerfully seek God’s will together, grounded in Scripture, Church teaching, and Ignatian spirituality. Through reflection, dialogue, and practical exercises, you will learn to integrate spiritual listening and mission-oriented decision-making in your context.
This course provides a solid introduction to the reading of Gregorian chant notation, guiding participants through the graphic system that has preserved and transmitted the liturgical repertoire of the Church for over a millennium. Through a gradual, practice-oriented approach, participants will become familiar with the fundamental elements of Gregorian notation, including the four-line staff, clefs, simple and compound neumes, the principal rhythmic signs, expressive markings, and the interpretative principles that transform notation into a living musical practice. Each topic will be explored through the analysis and performance of well-known chants from the Gregorian repertoire, carefully selected for their pedagogical value as well as their liturgical and musical significance. Examples may include Ubi caritas, Salve Regina, Puer natus est, Victimae paschali laudes, Veni Creator Spiritus, together with other chants representing the principal seasons of the liturgical year. Particular attention will be devoted to the relationship between the Latin text and the melody, ecclesiastical Latin pronunciation, musical phrasing, and the liturgical context of the repertoire, enabling participants to approach Gregorian notation not merely as a writing system but as a means of expressive and informed musical interpretation.
This five‑session course offers a concise yet enriching journey through the Gospel of Mark, guiding participants from an introductory overview into four key themes that shape Mark’s unique portrait of Jesus. Together, we explore the power of Jesus’ miracles, the depth and challenge of his parables, the demanding but transformative call to discipleship, and the stark, compelling drama of the Passion narrative. The course invites learners to engage both heart and mind as they encounter Mark’s urgent proclamation of the Good News.
This course offers a foundational introduction to the core elements of the Catholic faith. It explores the sources of faith through Revelation, Scripture, and anthropology, leading to a deeper understanding of God revealed in Jesus Christ as the Triune God. Participants are guided through the meaning of the Church, the Sacraments, and the Liturgy as central to Christian life. The course also introduces the moral and social teachings of the Church, helping learners connect faith with daily living and responsible action in society.
Recognising that spirituality plays a vital role in the overall well-being of older adults, this programme integrates spiritual care within the broader context of holistic caregiving. Designed for healthcare support workers and personal caregivers, it equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to address the spiritual needs of those they care for.
This course explores key dimensions of contemporary catechetical ministry with children and pre-adolescents, placing particular emphasis on collaboration with families, spiritual nurture, inclusion, and effective pedagogical practice. Participants will reflect on the role of catechesis within today’s diverse realities and examine practical approaches that foster meaningful faith formation and deeper integration within the Christian community. Through discussion, reflection, and applied pastoral insights, the course seeks to equip catechists and pastoral workers with the tools necessary to accompany young people in their faith journey with greater confidence and sensitivity.
This introductory course offers parents a simple and accessible overview of the core beliefs of the Catholic faith. Through practical explanations, and guided discussion, parents will strengthen their own understanding and be better equipped to accompany their children in catechism. The course covers the Creed, the Sacraments, prayer, the Bible, and how to live faith daily. No prior knowledge is needed—just openness and curiosity.
The course connects Lorenzo Milani’s pedagogical insights with current challenges faced in Maltese schools and pastoral formation centres, such as student disengagement, social inequality, digital culture, and the pastoral accompaniment of children and young people. Participants will be invited to reflect on how educators, catechists, and pastoral leaders can foster environments of formation rooted in dignity, belonging, participation, and the ethos of “I care,” in line with the mission of the Church in Malta.This course explores the educational vision of Lorenzo Milani and its relevance for contemporary Catholic formal education and pastoral ministry in Malta. Through five sessions, participants examine Milani’s life, the experience of the Barbiana school, and key themes from Letter to a Teacher, including inclusion, equity, literacy, and the formation of conscience.
This course offers a foundational introduction to the core elements of the Catholic faith. It explores the sources of faith through Revelation, Scripture, and anthropology, leading to a deeper understanding of God revealed in Jesus Christ as the Triune God. Participants are guided through the meaning of the Church, the Sacraments, and the Liturgy as central to Christian life. The course also introduces the moral and social teachings of the Church, helping learners connect faith with daily living and responsible action in society.
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.
This course is intended for singers who would like to learn how to read music. Participants will learn about notes and note values, clefs, staves, time signatures and other basic elements of written music. Together with the theoretical part, they will practice reading pitch and rhythm.Singers, especially liturgical animators and choristers, will enhance their musical talent with the ability to read music. It allows them to become better singers and offer a better service.Start learning how to read music with this basic course and open yourself up to a whole new side of music.
This module offers a basic introduction to key themes of the main areas of Christian theology. These include fundamental, scriptural, dogmatic, ecclesiological, and ethical theological concepts guiding the evangelising mission of the Church. By the end of the module the learner will have: become aware of what the sources of theology are;gained a basic understanding of the main areas of Christian theology. This course is intended to form and support adults who wish to become better acquainted with the basic tenets of the Catholic Faith. This course is offered in asynchronous learning modeas a foundation course before applying for other courses offered by the Pastoral Formation Institute.
This five‑session course offers a concise yet enriching journey through the Gospel of Mark, guiding participants from an introductory overview into four key themes that shape Mark’s unique portrait of Jesus. Together, we explore the power of Jesus’ miracles, the depth and challenge of his parables, the demanding but transformative call to discipleship, and the stark, compelling drama of the Passion narrative. The course invites learners to engage both heart and mind as they encounter Mark’s urgent proclamation of the Good News.
This course provides a solid introduction to the reading of Gregorian chant notation, guiding participants through the graphic system that has preserved and transmitted the liturgical repertoire of the Church for over a millennium. Through a gradual, practice-oriented approach, participants will become familiar with the fundamental elements of Gregorian notation, including the four-line staff, clefs, simple and compound neumes, the principal rhythmic signs, expressive markings, and the interpretative principles that transform notation into a living musical practice. Each topic will be explored through the analysis and performance of well-known chants from the Gregorian repertoire, carefully selected for their pedagogical value as well as their liturgical and musical significance. Examples may include Ubi caritas, Salve Regina, Puer natus est, Victimae paschali laudes, Veni Creator Spiritus, together with other chants representing the principal seasons of the liturgical year. Particular attention will be devoted to the relationship between the Latin text and the melody, ecclesiastical Latin pronunciation, musical phrasing, and the liturgical context of the repertoire, enabling participants to approach Gregorian notation not merely as a writing system but as a means of expressive and informed musical interpretation.
This course is designed for women religious in initial formation who are preparing to live and serve their vocation in today’s pastoral and digital culture. Rooted in spirituality, community life, and compassionate accompaniment, the course explores pastoral listening, emotional and spiritual support, healthy boundaries, liturgical resources, digital culture, and the responsible use of technology and artificial intelligence in ministry. Through reflection, practical exercises, and discussion, participants are encouraged to develop a balanced, discerning, and caring pastoral presence both within their communities and in the wider world.
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 y 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).
