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

Rev. Fr Reuben Gauci
Coordinator for Religious Counsellors &
Spiritual Development in Schools

Silvana Cardona
Pastoral Worker
Chaplains and Religious Counsellors
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.
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.
Primary, Għargħur |
Fr Christopher Galea |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Mellieħa |
Fr Joe Caruana |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Naxxar |
Fr Gerald Micallef |
[email protected] | |
Primary, St Paul's Bay |
Fr Joe Mamo OFM |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Qawra |
Fr Andrew Galea OFM |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Mosta A & B |
Fr Bastjan Caruana |
[email protected] | |
Middle & Secondary, Zokkrija, Mosta |
Fr Sean Abela |
[email protected] | |
Secondary, Mosta |
Fr Alfred Vassallo OCD & Fr Roderick Baldacchino |
[email protected]; [email protected] | |
Middle, Naxxar |
Fr Alfred Vassallo OCD |
[email protected] | |
Young Adults Educational Centre |
Fr Joe Mamo OFM |
[email protected] |
State
The primary, middle and secondary schools in the catchment area of Birżebbugia, Għaxaq, Gudja, Kirkop, Mqabba, Qrendi, Safi and Żurrieq.
Primary, Birżebbugia |
Fr Reuben Micallef |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Għaxaq |
Fr Andrew Schembri |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Gudja |
Fr Norman Zammit |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Kirkop |
Fr Martin Cardona |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Imqabba |
Fr John Curmi |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Qrendi |
Fr Mario Said |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Safi |
Fr Ivan Scicluna |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Żurrieq |
Fr Daniel Cardona |
[email protected] | |
Middle, Kirkop |
Fr Gylan Camilleri |
[email protected] | |
Secondary, Kirkop |
Fr Ivan Attard O.P. |
[email protected] | |
Helen Keller Educational Centre, Qrendi |
Fr Mario Said |
[email protected] |
State
The primary, middle and secondary schools in the area of Gżira, Pembroke, St Julian’s, San Ġwann and Sliema
Primary A & B, San Ġwann |
Fr Bertrand Vella OFM Cap |
[email protected] | |
Middle & Secondary Schools, Pembroke |
Fr Blake Camilleri |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Gżira |
Fr Gordon Refalo |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Sliema |
Fr Etienne Sciberras |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Pembroke |
Fr Aayrton Muscat |
[email protected] | |
Primary, St Julians |
Fr Paul Mizzi |
[email protected] |
State
The primary, middle and secondary schools in the catchment area of Floriana, Ħamrun, Marsa, Paola, Pieta, and Valletta.
Primary, Floriana |
Fr Charles Cini & Fr Stefan Galea |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Hamrun SS |
Fr Franco Fenech |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Ħamrun GP |
Fr Walter Cauchi |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Marsa |
Fr Dominic Mangani OFM Cap. |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Pieta |
Fr Joseph Zahra O.P. |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Valletta |
Fr Michael Camilleri O.P. |
[email protected] | |
Primary , Paola |
Fr John Muscat & Fr Marc Andre Camilleri |
[email protected] | |
Middle, Blata l-Bajda |
Fr Paul Buttigieg |
[email protected] | |
Secondary, Ħamrun |
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Guardian Angel Resource Centre |
Fr Reuben Gauci |
[email protected] |
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 |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Qormi St George |
Fr Mario Mangion |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Ħal Luqa |
Fr Michael Zammit |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Siġġiewi |
Fr Josef Mifsud |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Ħaż-Żebbuġ |
Fr Albert Buhagiar |
[email protected] | |
Middle, Ħandaq, Qormi |
Fr Sergio Fenech |
[email protected] | |
Secondary, Ħandaq, Qormi |
Fr Dunstan Xuereb |
[email protected] |
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 |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Senglea |
Fr Robin Camilleri |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Vittoriosa |
Fr John Avellino |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Kalkara |
Fr Brian Gialanze |
[email protected] | |
Primary A&B, Ħaż-Żabbar |
Fr Roderick Camilleri |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Xgħajra |
Fr Keith Scicluna |
[email protected] | |
Middle, Cospicua |
Fr Gilbert Scicluna |
[email protected] | |
Secondary, Cospicua |
Fr Karm Spiteri OCD |
[email protected] |
State
The primary, middle and secondary schools in the catchment area of Attard, Dingli, Imgarr, Imtarfa, and Rabat.
Primary, Attard |
Fr Joseph Grech |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Dingli |
Fr David Farrugia |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Imġarr |
Fr Sean Abela |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Rabat |
Fr Joseph Mizzi |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Baħrija |
Fr Ray Francalanza OSA |
[email protected] | |
Middle, Rabat |
Fr Joseph Mizzi |
[email protected] | |
Secondary, Dingli |
Fr Godwin Preca SJ & Fr David Farrugia |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Mtarfa |
Fr Rene Vella |
[email protected] |
State
The primary, middle and secondary schools in the catchment area of Balzan, Birkirkara, Fleur de Lys, Iklin, Lija, Msida, and St Venera.
Primary, Birkirkara |
Fr Louis Suban, Fr Evan Caruana, and fr Charlon Muscat |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Ħal-Lija, Balzan, Iklin |
Fr Joe Cilia, Mons Karm Farrugia, Fr Keith Bonnici |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Imsida |
Fr Mario Mifsud |
[email protected] | |
Primary, St Venera |
Fr Maurice Abela OCarm |
[email protected] | |
Middle, Birkirkara |
Fr Ryan Lee Pace |
[email protected] | |
Secondary, Mrieħel, Birkirkara |
Fr Osmar Baldacchino |
[email protected] |
State
The primary, middle and secondary schools in the catchment area of Fgura, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Tarxien, Santa Lucija and Żejtun. The College offers also specialised programmes at the Boys’ Learning Centre; and an Alternative Learning Programme, for Year 11 students, who have an aptitude for applied learning. MVPA falls under the administration of St Thomas More College, while 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, music. Click here for the College’s website.
Primary, Marsaskala St Anne & St Joachim |
Fr Luke Cutajar |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Fgura |
Fr Raymond Camilleri. O Carm |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Marsaxlokk |
Fr George Spiteri |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Tarxien |
Fr Chris Ellul |
[email protected] | |
Primary, Żejtun A&B |
Fr Anton Galea Scanura |
[email protected] | |
Middle, Tarxien |
Fr Christopher Ellul |
[email protected] | |
Middle & Secondary, Żejtun |
Fr Bernard Micallef |
[email protected] | |
Secondary, St Lucia |
Fr Clive Seychell |
[email protected] | |
Alternative Learning Programme (ALP) Vocational Creative Centre |
Fr Clive Seychell |
[email protected] | |
Malta Visual and Performing Arts School |
Fr Lino Azzopardi |
[email protected] |
State
The specific focus of Mikiel Anton Vassalli College is to improve and coordinate the visual and performing art education in Malta and Gozo. The vision for these specialised schools is to gain the status of an academic cluster with the focus on the quality of teaching and learning in the visual and performing arts. As a college, the schools strive to create the synergy between them. The college’s website is: http://mikielantonvassallicollege.gov.mt/
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.
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
[email protected]
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
MCAST Main Campus |
Kordin |
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Institute for Creative Arts |
Mosta |