Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The history of our country and the Church has entered a new and joyful chapter. On September 6, 2025, at Freedom Square in Tallinn, Archbishop Eduard Profittlich, the shepherd and martyr of our Church, was beatified.
This day was a great gift not only for Estonian Catholics, but for our entire nation. I have always remembered that when Pope Francis came to Tallinn, on September 24, 2018, he asked about Archbishop Profittlich and then said in Italian “Santo Subito” (may he be made a saint immediately). It is beautiful to think that in the same place where Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Tallinn, almost exactly 7 years later, the new Pope’s representative celebrated the Mass for the beatification of Blessed Eduard.
This event is special for several reasons. First, it highlights that even the small Estonian Catholic Church in Estonia has a great witness to give to the entire universal Church. The Spirit of God knows no geographical or historical boundaries - even here, in the midst of our people, he has raised up a man who proclaimed fidelity to Christ with his life and death. Eduard Profittlich lived his episcopal ministry with deep humility and great courage, ready to give his life for those to whom he was sent as a shepherd.
Secondly, it reminds us that martyrdom does not belong only to the past, but is always part of the life of the Church. The suffering of our blessed Archbishop in a Soviet prison, his lonely death and his unwavering spirit of prayer give us a living example of the words of the Gospel: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5:10) His courage, not driven by anger but by peace, was an evangelical testimony of love that does not fade even in the face of enemies.
Thirdly, Profittlich’s example is very relevant for us today. We live in a world where indifference to the faith is often widespread, where Christians can be ridiculed or marginalized, where many people feel alone and hopeless. In such a situation, the example of the blessed bishop invites us not to be afraid, but to find our strength in Christ who died and rose again.
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, is the main goal of the Church.
Dear brothers and sisters,
We all wish that the beatification would not remain just another historical memory, but that a new spiritual spring would grow from it in the Estonian Church. To this end, I offer you some concrete steps:.
- Let us pray often to Blessed Eduard Profittlich, both personally and in the liturgical life of our parishes. Our families, our young people, our sick and elderly, our people need his intercession.
- The life story of Blessed Eduard teaches us that faithfulness means not only performing great deeds, but remaining faithful in small everyday things: faithfulness in prayer, faithfulness at Sunday Mass, faithfulness in serving our neighbor.
- Blessed Eduard loved all the people entrusted to him, regardless of nationality or language. We too must bear witness that the Church is one, that the love of Jesus knows no bounds, and that together we form “one soul and one heart” like the first Christians in Jerusalem and as we felt on September 6th in Freedom Square.
A martyr does not bear witness only by dying, but also by living. Following the example of Blessed Eduard, I invite you all to be joyful witnesses of the faith in your homes, workplaces, and communities. Do not be afraid to speak of your faith, do not be afraid to help those who are weak and poor, do not be afraid to live the Gospel publicly.
Dear brothers and sisters,
The beatification of Blessed Eduard Profittlich is a gift from God to our time, but it is also a task. God has shown us that fidelity and love are possible even in the most difficult circumstances. We must now carry this torch forward, living our faith courageously and trusting completely in the Lord. I especially entrust to your prayers the pilgrimage of the Estonian Catholic Church to Rome, during which Estonian pilgrims will meet Pope Leo XIV in a private audience. We would especially like to thank the Holy Father for the new diocese of Tallinn and for the first beatification in Estonia.
Finally, I entrust our entire Catholic community in Estonia to the care of Blessed Eduard Profittlich. Let us pray that his prayers will lead us to a deeper faith, a stronger hope and a greater love. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Mary and our Mother, always keep and protect us.
May the blessing and peace of the Lord always be with you!
+ Philippe Jourdan
Bishop of Tallinn