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

Anne Marie Gatt
Pastoral Worker

Matthew Gauci
Pastoral Worker
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.
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 SchoolGħargħur |
Fr Christopher Galea |
[email protected] | |
Marija Bambina Primary SchoolMellieħa |
Fr Joe Caruana |
[email protected] | |
Dun Karm Xerri Primary SchoolNaxxar |
Fr Gerald Micallef |
[email protected] | |
Patri Feliċ Sammut Primary SchoolSt Paul's Bay |
Fr Joe Mamo OFM and Fr Stephen Borg OFM |
[email protected] | |
St Francis of Assisi Primary SchoolQawra |
Fr Andrew Galea OFM |
[email protected] | |
Carmela Sammut Primary A School & E. B. Vella Primary BMosta |
Fr Sebastian Caruana |
[email protected] | |
Żokrija Middle & Secondary SchoolsMosta |
Fr Sean Abela |
[email protected] | |
Lily of the Valley Secondary SchoolMosta |
Fr Roderick Baldacchino |
[email protected] | |
Stefano Zerafa Middle SchoolNaxxar |
Fr Alfred Vassallo OCD |
[email protected] | |
Dun Manwel Attard, Young Adults Educational CentreWardija |
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.
Prof. Anton Tabone Primary SchoolBirżebbugia |
Fr Reuben Micallef |
[email protected] | |
Filippo Castagna Primary SchoolGħaxaq |
Fr Anton D’Amato |
[email protected] | |
William Baker Primary SchoolGudja |
Fr Norman Zammit |
[email protected] | |
San Benedittu Primary SchoolKirkop |
Fr Martin Cardona |
[email protected] | |
Francis Xavier Mangion Primary SchoolImqabba |
Fr Blake Camilleri |
[email protected] | |
Filippo Zammit Primary SchoolQrendi |
Fr Mario Said |
[email protected] | |
Carmelo Caruana Primary SchoolSafi |
Fr Ivan Scicluna |
[email protected] | |
Leli Camilleri Primary SchoolŻurrieq |
Fr Daniel Cardona |
[email protected] | |
Dr Maria Sciberras Middle SchoolKirkop |
Fr Gylan Camilleri |
[email protected] | |
Secondary SchoolKirkop |
Fr Ivan Attard O.P. |
[email protected] | |
Helen Keller Educational CentreQrendi |
Fr Mario Said |
[email protected] |
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
Madonna tal-Mensija Primary A & BSan Ġwann |
Fr Bertrand Vella OFM Cap |
[email protected] | |
Middle & Secondary SchoolsPembroke |
Fr Brian Gialanze |
[email protected] | |
Dun Anton Manche Primary SchoolGżira |
Fr Gordon Refalo |
[email protected] | |
Ġuże Bonnici Primary SchoolSliema |
Fr Etienne Sciberras |
[email protected] | |
Bice Mizzi Vassallo Primary SchoolPembroke |
Fr Aayrton Muscat |
[email protected] | |
Dun Ġużepp Scerri Primary SchoolSt Julians |
Fr Paul Mizzi |
[email protected] | |
San Miguel Febres Cordero Resource CentrePembroke |
[email protected] |
State
The primary, middle and secondary schools in the catchment area of Floriana, Ħamrun, Marsa, Paola, Pieta, and Valletta.
Antonio Galea Primary SchoolFloriana |
Fr Charles Cini & Fr Stefan Galea |
[email protected] | |
Dun Frans Camilleri Primary School SSĦamrun |
Fr Franco Fenech |
[email protected] | |
Primary School GPĦamrun |
Fr Walter Cauchi |
[email protected] | |
Lorenzo Balbi Primary SchoolMarsa |
Fr Dominic Mangani OFM Cap. |
[email protected] | |
J Hookham Frere Primary SchoolPietà |
Fr Joseph Zahra O.P. |
[email protected] | |
St Elmo Primary SchoolValletta |
Fr Michael Camilleri O.P. |
[email protected] | |
Ġużeppi Agius Primary SchoolPaola |
Fr Marc Andre Camilleri & Fr David Borg |
[email protected] | |
Maria Regina Middle SchoolBlata l-Bajda |
Fr Paul Buttigieg |
[email protected] | |
Secondary SchoolĦamrun |
Fr Mark Spiteri |
[email protected] | |
Guardian Angel Resource CentreQrendi |
Fr Reuben Gauci |
[email protected] |
State
The primary, middle and secondary schools in the catchment area of Qormi, Ħal Luqa, Siġġiewi and Ħaż-Żebbuġ.
Guze Muscat Azzopardi Primary SchoolQormi Saint Sebastian |
Fr Ewkarist Zammit |
[email protected] | |
PrimaryQormi St George |
Fr Mario Mangion |
[email protected] | |
Patri Indri Schembri PrimaryĦal Luqa |
Fr Michael Zammit |
[email protected] | |
Patri Ġuże Delia Primary SchoolSiġġiewi |
Fr Josef Mifsud |
[email protected] | |
Dun Karm Psaila Primary SchoolĦaż-Żebbuġ |
Fr Albert Buhagiar |
[email protected] | |
Prof. Edward De Bono Middle School,Ħandaq, Qormi |
Fr Dillon Bugeja |
[email protected] | |
Mikiel Anton Vassalli Secondary SchoolĦandaq, 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.
Maria Immakulata Primary SchoolCospicua |
Fr Anton Cassar & Fr Emanuel Schembri |
[email protected] | |
Dun Mauro Inguanez Primary SchoolSenglea |
Fr Robin Camilleri |
[email protected] | |
Santu Rokku Primary SchoolVittoriosa |
Fr John Avellino |
[email protected] | |
Patri Wistin Born Primary SchoolKalkara |
Fr Nicholas Pace |
[email protected] | |
Santa Klara Primary School AĦaż-Żabbar |
Fr Roderick Camilleri |
[email protected] | |
Ave Marija Primary SchoolXgħajra |
Fr Keith Scicluna |
[email protected] | |
Erin Seracino Inglott Middle SchoolCospicua |
Fr Gilbert Scicluna |
[email protected] | |
Guzeppi Despott Secondary SchoolCospicua |
Fr Karm Spiteri OCD |
[email protected] | |
Dr Frans Chetcuti Primary School BĦaż-Żabbar |
[email protected] |
State
The primary, middle and secondary schools in the catchment area of Attard, Dingli, Imgarr, Imtarfa, and Rabat.
Tumas Dingli Primary SchoolAttard |
Fr Joseph Grech |
[email protected] | |
Ġuże Ebejer Primary SchoolDingli |
Fr David Farrugia |
[email protected] | |
Ġanni A. Cilia Primary SchoolImġarr |
Fr Sean Abela |
[email protected] | |
Anton Agius Primary SchoolRabat |
Fr Joseph Mizzi |
[email protected] | |
Patri Tumas Xerri Primary SchoolBaħrija |
Fr Ray Francalanza OSA |
[email protected] | |
Kan. P. Pullicino Middle SchoolRabat |
Fr Joseph Mizzi |
[email protected] | |
Francis Ebejer Secondary SchoolDingli |
Fr Godwin Preca SJ & Fr David Farrugia |
[email protected] | |
Mikiel Spiteri (Kilin) Primary SchoolMtarfa |
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.
Anthony Valletta Primary SchoolBirkirkara |
Fr Louis Suban, Fr Evan Caruana, and fr Charlon Muscat |
[email protected] | |
Annibale Preca Primary SchoolĦal-Lija, Balzan, Iklin |
Fr Joe Cilia, Mons Karm Farrugia, Fr Keith Bonnici |
[email protected] | |
Achille Ferris Primary SchoolImsida |
Fr Mario Mifsud |
[email protected] | |
Patri Manwel Gatt O. Carm. Primary SchoolSt Venera |
Fr Maurice Abela O. Carm. |
[email protected] | |
Vincenzo Borg Brared Middle SchoolBirkirkara |
Fr Ryan Lee Pace |
[email protected] | |
St Theresa Secondary SchoolMrieħel, Birkirkara |
Fr Evan Caruana |
[email protected] |
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 SchoolsMarsaskala |
Fr Luke Cutajar |
[email protected] | |
Dun Ġuzepp Zerafa Primary School AFgura |
Fr Raymond Camilleri. O Carm |
[email protected] | |
Ġuzeppina Deguara Primary SchoolMarsaxlokk |
Fr George Spiteri |
[email protected] | |
Dun Karm Sant Primary SchoolTarxien |
Fr Chris Ellul |
[email protected] | |
Dun Alwiġ Camilleri Primary School AŻejtun |
Fr Anton Galea Scanura |
[email protected] | |
Maria Goretti Middle SchoolTarxien |
Fr Christopher Ellul |
[email protected] | |
Carlo Diacono Middle & Secondary SchoolsŻejtun |
Fr Bernard Micallef |
[email protected] | |
Margaret Mortimer Secondary SchoolSt Lucia |
Fr Clive Seychell |
[email protected] | |
Ġuże D'Amato - Alternative Learning Programme (ALP) Vocational Creative CentrePaola |
Fr Clive Seychell |
[email protected] | |
Malta Visual and Performing Arts SchoolĦamrun |
Fr Lino Azzopardi |
[email protected] | |
Emanuel Debono Decesare Primary BFgura |
[email protected] | ||
Ġużeppi Caruana Primary SchoolŻejtun |
[email protected] |
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 |