About

Spiritual Development in Schools

Spiritual Development in Schools within the Archdiocese of Malta supports schools to foster pastoral care and spiritual development.

Spiritual Development in Schools contributes to:

the spiritual and religious formation of school leaders, educators, students and parents.
sustain the school-based identity and mission through the Catholic faith.
support and formation of Catholic Chaplaincy teams in schools.
coordinate and assist the Religious Counsellors in State and Independent schools.
provide support and spiritual formation through family programmes.

Pastoral care and spiritual development in schools

The pastoral care and spiritual growth in schools is an integral part of the educational process of all the school community. This mission needs to be carried out by a competent and motivated team that is planned, coordinated and sustained by the whole school. Hence the Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy needs to focuses on:

Spiritual Growth: To empower God’s Spirit present within the educational community, both in its members and as a community, to manifest itself and develop according to each one’s identity and mission in life. In simpler terms: to help each person (student or adult) to discover God’s presence within him/herself and faithfully nurture its growth and development.
Spiritual Experience: Help each one to experience God and his transforming power.
Community building: Let the whole community be built around and thanks to this Divine Presence.
Personal accompaniment: Accompany each student on his/her journey towards a fuller acknowledgement and development of his/her spiritual calling and identity.

Team

Religious Counsellors and Chaplains

What is the role of Religious Counsellors in State Schools?

The Agreement between the Holy See and the Republic of Malta about Religious Education in State Schools that was signed in 1989 included the religious animation and moral guidance of students as an essential part of their Religious Education. This is assured by means of Religious Counsellors nominated by the Diocesan Bishop in whose territory the school is situated.

As a living witness of dedication and moral values, the Religious Counsellor is required to:

Give counselling on religious and moral problems to the students assigned, both individually and in groups according to needs. The school should provide the necessary facilities so that the Religious Cousellor may satisfactorily exercise his duties;
Visits the classrooms to talk to the students and answer any questions they might ask about Christian living. If invited by the teacher, the Religious Counsellor may animate or participate in a religious celebration in the classroom. The Religious Counsellor shall use the lessons of teachers who happen to be absent from school;
Regularly organises, or sees that there be organised, those celebrations that form an integral part of the religious education and formation in schools: e.g. the sacraments of Reconciliation in a dignified space and the Eucharist; Celebrations of the Word of God in the more important periods of the liturgical year such as Advent, Christmastide, Lent and Eastertide; other religious and spiritual celebrations and functions in agreement with the Head of the school;
Helps the school staff in religious and spiritual matters when requested.

The Religious Counsellor exercises this ministry under the direction of the Coordinator for Religious Counsellors – the ordained minister appointed by the Maltese Episcopal Conference.

maria regina

State

The primary, middle and secondary schools in the catchment area of Buġibba, Burmarrad, Għurgħur, Mellieħa, Mosta, Naxxar, Qawra, and St Paul’s Bay. Wardija Young Adult Resource Centre and Naxxar Learning Support Centre and an Induction Centre also make part of the College. Click here for the College’s webpage.

Karmnu Sant Primary School Għargħur	Fr Christopher Galea	parrocca.gharghur@maltadiocese.org
Marija Bambina Primary School Mellieħa	Fr Joe Caruana	parrocca.mellieha@maltadiocese.org
Dun Karm Xerri Primary School Naxxar	Fr Gerald Micallef	gerald.micallef@maltadiocese.org
Patri Feliċ Sammut Primary School St Paul's Bay	Fr Joe Mamo OFM and Fr Stephen Borg OFM	parrocca.san.pawl.il-bahar@maltadiocese.org
St Francis of Assisi Primary School Qawra	Fr Andrew Galea OFM	parrocca.qawra@maltadiocese.org
Carmela Sammut Primary A School & E. B. Vella Primary B Mosta	Fr Sebastian Caruana	parrocca.mosta@maltadiocese.org
Żokrija Middle & Secondary Schools Mosta	Fr Sean Abela	sean.abela@maltadiocese.org
Lily of the Valley Secondary School Mosta	Fr Roderick Baldacchino	roderick.baldacchino@maltadiocese.org
Stefano Zerafa Middle School Naxxar	Fr Alfred Vassallo OCD	alfredvassalloocd@gmail.com
Dun Manwel Attard, Young Adults Educational Centre Wardija	Fr Joe Mamo OFM	parrocca.san.pawl.il-bahar@maltadiocese.org

stbenedict

State

The primary, middle and secondary schools in the catchment area of Birżebbugia, Għaxaq, Gudja, Kirkop, Mqabba, Qrendi, Safi and Żurrieq.

Prof. Anton Tabone Primary School Birżebbugia	Fr Reuben Micallef	parrocca.birzebbugia@maltadiocese.org
Filippo Castagna Primary School Għaxaq	Fr Anton D’Amato	parrocca.ghaxaq@maltadiocese.org
William Baker Primary School Gudja	Fr Norman Zammit	parrocca.gudja@maltadiocese.org
San Benedittu Primary School Kirkop	Fr Martin Cardona	parrocca.kirkop@maltadiocese.org
Primary School Imqabba	Fr Blake Camilleri	parrocca.mqabba@maltadiocese.org
Filippo Zammit Primary School Qrendi	Fr Mario Said	parrocca.qrendi@maltadiocese.org
Carmelo Caruana Primary School Safi	Fr Ivan Scicluna	parrocca.safi@maltadiocese.org
Leli Camilleri Primary School Żurrieq	Fr Daniel Cardona	parrocca.zurrieq@maltadiocese.org
Dr Maria Sciberras Middle School Kirkop	Fr Gylan Camilleri	gylan.camilleri@maltadiocese.org
Secondary School Kirkop	Fr Ivan Attard O.P.	ivan.attardop1977@gmail.com
Helen Keller Educational Centre Qrendi	Fr Mario Said	parrocca.qrendi@maltadiocese.org

st clare

State

St Clare College comprises the primary, middle and secondary schools in the area of Gżira, Pembroke, St Julian’s, San Ġwann and Sliema together with San Miguel Febres Cordero Resource Centre

Primary A & B San Ġwann	Fr Bertrand Vella OFM Cap	parrocca.san.gwann@maltadiocese.org
Middle & Secondary Schools Pembroke	Fr Brian Gialanze	brian.gialanze@maltadiocese.org
Primary School Gżira	Fr Gordon Refalo	parrocca.gzira@maltadiocese.org
Primary School Sliema	Fr Etienne Sciberras	parrocca.sliema.sg@maltadiocese.org
Primary School Pembroke	Fr Aayrton Muscat	parrocca.pembroke@maltadiocese.org
Primary School St Julians	Fr Paul Mizzi	parrocca.san.giljan@maltadiocese.org

San Gorg Preca College

State

The primary, middle and secondary schools in the catchment area of Floriana, Ħamrun, Marsa, Paola, Pieta, and Valletta.

Primary School Floriana	Fr Charles Cini & Fr Stefan Galea	parrocca.floriana@maltadiocese.org
Primary School SS Ħamrun	Fr Franco Fenech	parrocca.hamrun.ik@maltadiocese.org
Primary School GP Ħamrun	Fr Walter Cauchi	parrocca.hamrun.sg@maltadiocese.org
Primary School Marsa	Fr Dominic Mangani OFM Cap.	parrocca.marsa.tq@maltadiocese.org
Primary School Pietà	Fr Joseph Zahra O.P.	parrocca.guardamangia@maltadiocese.org
Primary School Valletta	Fr Michael Camilleri O.P.	parrocca.valletta.sd@maltadiocese.org
Primary School Paola	Fr Marc Andre Camilleri & Fr David Borg	parrocca.paola.kr@maltadiocese.org
Middle School Blata l-Bajda	Fr Paul Buttigieg	paul.buttigieg@maltadiocese.org
Secondary School Ħamrun	Fr Mark Spiteri	mark.spiteri@maltadiocese.org
Guardian Angel Resource Centre Qrendi	Fr Reuben Gauci	reuben.gauci@maltadiocese.org

State

The primary, middle and secondary schools in the catchment area of Qormi, Ħal Luqa, Siġġiewi and Ħaż-Żebbuġ.

Primary Qormi Saint Sebastian	Fr Ewkarist Zammit	parrocca.qormi.sb@maltadiocese.org
Primary Qormi St George	Fr Mario Mangion	parrocca.qormi.sg@maltadiocese.org
Primary Ħal Luqa	Fr Michael Zammit	parrocca.luqa@maltadiocese.org
Primary Siġġiewi	Fr Josef Mifsud	parrocca.siggiewi@maltadiocese.org
Primary Ħaż-Żebbuġ	Fr Albert Buhagiar	parrocca.zebbug@maltadiocese.org
Middle Ħandaq, Qormi	Fr Dillon Bugeja	dillon.bugeja@maltadiocese.org
Secondary Ħandaq, Qormi	Fr Dunstan Xuereb	dunstan.x@yahoo.com

st margerita

State

The primary, middle and secondary schools in the catchment area of Bormla, Isla, Birgu, Kalkara, Ħaż-Żabbar, and Xgħajra.

Primary Cospicua	Fr Anton Cassar & Fr Emanuel Schembri	parrocca.bormla@maltadiocese.org
Primary Senglea	Fr Robin Camilleri	parrocca.isla@maltadiocese.org
Primary Vittoriosa	Fr John Avellino	john.avellino@um.edu.mt
Primary Kalkara	Fr Nicholas Pace	parrocca.kalkara@maltadiocese.org
Primary A&B Ħaż-Żabbar	Fr Roderick Camilleri	parrocca.zabbar@maltadiocese.org
Primary Xgħajra	Fr Keith Scicluna	keith.scicluna@maltadiocese.org
Middle Cospicua	Fr Gilbert Scicluna	gilbert.scicluna@maltadiocese.org
Secondary Cospicua	Fr Karm Spiteri OCD	fatherkarm62@gmail.com

st nicholas college

State

The primary, middle and secondary schools in the catchment area of Attard, Dingli, Imgarr, Imtarfa, and Rabat.

Primary, Attard	Fr Joseph Grech	parrocca.attard@maltadiocese.org
Primary, Dingli	Fr David Farrugia	parrocca.dingli@maltadiocese.org
Primary, Imġarr	Fr Sean Abela	parrocca.mgarr@maltadiocese.org
Primary, Rabat	Fr Joseph Mizzi	parrocca.rabat@maltadiocese.org
Primary, Baħrija	Fr Ray Francalanza OSA	rayfrancalanza@outlook.com
Middle, Rabat	Fr Joseph Mizzi	joseph.mizzi@maltadiocese.org
Secondary, Dingli	Fr Godwin Preca SJ & Fr David Farrugia	precagodwin@gmail.com
Primary, Mtarfa	Fr Rene Vella	parrocca.mtarfa@maltadiocese.org

State

The primary, middle and secondary schools in the catchment area of Balzan, Birkirkara, Fleur de Lys, Iklin, Lija, Msida, and St Venera.

Primary School Birkirkara	Fr Louis Suban, Fr Evan Caruana, and fr Charlon Muscat	parrocca.birkirkara.se@maltadiocese.org
Primary School Ħal-Lija, Balzan, Iklin	Fr Joe Cilia, Mons Karm Farrugia, Fr Keith Bonnici	parrocca.lija@maltadiocese.org
Primary School Imsida	Fr Mario Mifsud	parrocca.msida@maltadiocese.org
Primary School St Venera	Fr Maurice Abela O. Carm.	parrocca.santa.venera@maltadiocese.org
Middle School Birkirkara	Fr Ryan Lee Pace	ryan.pace@maltadiocese.org
Secondary School Mrieħel, Birkirkara	Fr Evan Caruana	evan.caruana@maltadiocese.org

State

The primary, middle and secondary schools in the catchment area of Fgura, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Tarxien, Santa Lucija and Żejtun. The College also offers specialised programmes at the Boys’ Learning Centre; and an Alternative Learning Programme for Year 11 students with an aptitude for applied learning. MVPA is under the administration of St Thomas More College, but it is considered a national school, much like the National Sports School. It offers five art forms as the primary focus of study: art, dance, drama, media, and music. Click here for the College’s website.

St Anne & St Joachim Primary Schools Marsaskala	Fr Luke Cutajar	parrocca.marsaskala@maltadiocese.org
Primary Schools Fgura	Fr Raymond Camilleri. O Carm	parrocca.fgura@maltadiocese.org
Primary School Marsaxlokk	Fr George Spiteri	parrocca.marsaxlokk@maltadiocese.org
Primary Tarxien	Fr Chris Ellul	parrocca.tarxien@maltadiocese.org
Primary Schools A&B Żejtun	Fr Anton Galea Scanura	parrocca.zejtun@maltadiocese.org
Middle School Tarxien	Fr Christopher Ellul	christopher.ellul@maltadiocese.org
Middle & Secondary School Żejtun	Fr Bernard Micallef	bernard.micallef@maltadiocese.org
Secondary School St Lucia	Fr Clive Seychell	clive.seychell@maltadiocese.org
Alternative Learning Programme (ALP) Vocational Creative Centre Paola	Fr Clive Seychell	clive.seychell@maltadiocese.org
Malta Visual and Performing Arts School Ħamrun	Fr Lino Azzopardi	lino.azzopardi@maltadiocese.org

Independent

Fr Aayrton Muscat

aaryton.muscat@maltadicoese.org

Independent

Fr Chris Caruana op

Fr Jean Gove

chriscaruana@yahoo.co.uk

Independent

Founded in 1909, St. Catherine’s High School is a Private Independent Educational Institution located in Pembroke, Malta, and run by lay staff under the direction of the Head of School, Ms Sue Midolo.

Independent

Fr Manuel Camilleri SDB

doncamillosdb@yahoo.com

unnamed

Independent

Fr Jesmond Grech

jesmond.grech@maltadiocese.org;

gchss

State

A post-secondary state school in Naxxar offering academic courses at advanced, intermediate, and ordinary level. The school offers courses suited to the individual needs of the student.

Fr Osmar Baldacchino

osmar.baldacchino@maltadiocese.org

mcast

State

The Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology

Fr Antoine Farrugia sdb (main)
Fr Richard Ebejer sdb
Fr Manuel Camilleri sdb
Fr Aurelio Mule’ Stagno sdb
Fr Robert Falzon sdb
Sr Maria Angeles Diaz Gonzales fma

chaplaincy@mcast.edu.mt