Saints and Blessed are our heavenly guardians who dwell with God and offer an earthly example of a faith, love, and mercy for Christians.
Pope Saint John Paul II wrote that when it comes to examples to imitate in faith, we must never forget the saints.
Saints and Blessed are our heavenly guardians who dwell with God and offer an earthly example of a faith, love, and mercy for Christians. Pope Saint John Paul II wrote that when it comes to examples to imitate in faith, we must never forget the saints. The saints are like “mediators” for us, grasping Christ with one hand and holding us with the other. Thus, through a saint, we remain bound to God and experience His presence.The sufferings endured by the martyrs offer a clear meaning of the cross and resurrection of Christ, which is the center of our faith. Embracing and loving the cross involves self-sacrifice and openness to giving our lives freely for Christ, in the name of our love for Him. By their death out of love for Christ, martyrs bear witness to the true meaning of the cross in Christ, imitating Jesus Chris in full measure. Bishop-martyrs who have given their lives in the name of faith and love of Christ will forever embrace the cross.
Together with the martyrs, we will always have the unceasing support of Christ. The complexity and seriousness of the beatification process means it often takes decades to carry out in-depth studies in a diocese. Every beatification is always a great gift both for the universal Church and especially for the local diocese. Pope John Paul II wrote: “What a great gift it is that the diocese has its saints and its blessed. What a touching experience it is for a local bishop when he can present believers with specific individuals who have stood out with an exemplary life of faith and virtue. This is all the more moving when the people concerned lived in the recent past.”
The Beatification of Archbishop Profittlich took place in the Jubilee Year 2025 of the universal Catholic Church. It is a sign of grace given from God. It gave for Estonian Catholics the opportunity to experience holiness and to deepen their personal relationship with God. And, this day was a great gift not only for Estonian Catholics, but for our entire nation. It is beautiful to think that in the same place where Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Tallinn, almost exactly 7 years later, Christians came together again to be witness to the faith.
Archbishop Profittlich’s life and testimony are a bright sign of the victory of faith, hope and love over darkness and persecution. And this sign is for all Christians, even those who have not yet found faith. Therefore, the beatification of Archbishop Profittlich was of symbolic significance in Estonia and certainly for the whole world and its message is clear - love and faith are stronger than death and violence.Blessed Eduard Profittlich example invites us to live the call to be bearers of peace and hope, to be at the service of unity and charity. His faith, which remained firm even when all hope seemed lost, is a signpost for us: our hope is not based on human guarantees, but on God’s faithfulness. Holiness is the most important fruit that the Church brings, because it shows that we follow Christ not only in theory but also in practice.
The Church is credible in our current world only when she shows that she is not like the fig tree in the Gospel, which had only leaves but no fruit. The leaves of the fig tree, in the case of the Church, are what is external, visible, even beautiful. The leaves are certainly necessary, but not sufficient; fruits that are little visible, but that a person can eat and live from, are the main goal of the Church.53firm even when all hope seemed lost, is a signpost for us: our hope is not based on human guarantees, but on God’s faithfulness. Holiness is the most important fruit that the Church brings, because it shows that we follow Christ not only in theory but also in practice.
The Church is credible in our current world only when she shows that she is not like the fig tree in the Gospel, which had only leaves but no fruit. The leaves of the fig tree, in the case of the Church, are what is external, visible, even beautiful. The leaves are certainly necessary, but not sufficient; fruits that are little visible, but that a person can eat and live from, are the main goal of the Church.
The thousands of people who gathered for the beatification Mass on September 6, 2025 at Tallinn’s Freedom Square were filled with peace and joy. They had tasted the taste of holiness on a beautiful September day. The Catholic Church in Estonia is doing everything to preserve the memory of this worthy and respected man, Blessed Eduard, who is the protector and patron of our local church in Estonia.
May the prayers of our faithful people always be directed to God and may Blessed Eduard Profittlich help us on our earthly journey.
Blessed Faithful Shepherd, pray for us!