Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Following the exceptionally significant year 2025 for our Church, I wish to send you a message so that, in the light of the Holy Spirit, we may together review the blessings received and the tasks now entrusted to us.
Last year, on 19 December 2024, I proclaimed a year of thanksgiving in the Catholic Church in Estonia as Pope Francis approved the beatification of Archbishop Eduard Profittlich, and this year of thanksgiving continues until 22 February 2026, which is also the first anniversary of the death of Blessed Eduard Profittlich after his beatification.
We are still within this year of thanksgiving and we have reason to give thanks, for this year will remain a turning point in the history of our Church. With joy and gratitude we celebrated the elevation of the Catholic Church of Estonia to the Diocese of Tallinn, the beatification of Bishop Eduard Profittlich and our pilgrimage to Rome, where we were received by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. These three events form a spiritual triptych that illuminates our Catholic identity, deepens our unity and renews our hope.
When the Holy See announced the elevation of our Church to the Diocese of Tallinn, we felt moved that our whole community was recognized as a living and stable reality rooted in this land where the Gospel continues to bear fruit. This decision is much more than an administrative change — it is a sign of the universal Church’s confidence in our local Catholic community. With this gesture the Successor of Peter confirms that there is in Estonia a Catholic community capable of structuring, governing and proclaiming the Gospel with its own dynamism, remaining always faithful to the teaching of Christ. Our elevation to the new Diocese of Tallinn is not only a new honor but also a responsibility. I invite you to accept this call to greater personal responsibility to support Christian formation, encourage vocations, and foster a pastoral charity that must radiate throughout our country.
Let us turn in our needs to the intercession of Blessed Eduard Profittlich. It is the Church’s conviction that when the Church proclaims someone blessed or a saint, God always rewards such a beautiful and bold decision with special graces. Let us pray to God with trust in all our needs, whether physical or spiritual, and we will see how God, as always, exceeds our expectations. And when we seek the intercession of the saints, we do not turn away from God, but rather give Him greater honor because we praise what He has done in the lives of those whom the Church has declared saints or blessed. They are truly the most worthy and beautiful part of God’s creation and therefore turning to their intercession is the same as giving special honor to God and praising Him. So do not be afraid to ask for the intercession of Blessed Eduard Profittlich. I myself have often done so and have already received much of God’s grace.
Many among us have obtained the plenary indulgence of the Holy or Jubilee Year, either during our pilgrimage to Rome or at other pilgrimages. The Holy Year is soon ending, first in all the dioceses, and finally in Rome on 6 January 2026, and the next Jubilee Year will occur only in 25 years’ time, therefore let us take advantage of these last days to receive this indulgence, for it is a great treasure which the Church generously shares with us and our departed.
Dear brothers and sisters, may this blessed year be a summons to conversion, trust and hope. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Blessed Bishop Eduard Profittlich, may the Lord make our diocese a living and visible sign of His love and goodness.
I bless you with all my heart and wish you all a very beautiful Christmas that would unite our families around Jesus, Mary and Saint Joseph.
+ Philippe Jourdan
Bishop of Tallinn
Tallinn, 8 December 2025.
On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary