Dear brothers and sisters in Christ!

Our country and Church history have received a new and joy-filled chapter. On September 6, 2025, at Freedom Square in Tallinn, Archbishop Eduard Profittlich, 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 will always remember how, when Pope Francis came to Tallinn on September 24, 2018, he asked about Archbishop Profittlich and then said in Italian, “Santo Subito” – “Let him be made a saint immediately.” It is moving to think that in this very same place where Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Tallinn, almost exactly seven years later, the representative of the new pope celebrated the beatification Mass of Blessed Eduard.

This event is special for several reasons. First, it shows that even the small Catholic Church in Estonia has a great witness to offer to the universal Church. The Spirit of God knows no geographical or historical boundaries – even here, among our people, He raised up a man who, by his life and death, bore witness to fidelity to Christ. Eduard Profittlich lived his episcopal ministry with profound humility and great courage, ready to give his life for those to whom he had been sent as shepherd.

Secondly, it reminds us that martyrdom does not belong only to the past but is always a part of the life of the Church. The suffering of our blessed archbishop in a Soviet prison, his lonely death, and his steadfast 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, inspired not by anger but by peace, was an evangelical testimony of love that does not fade even before one’s enemies.

Thirdly, the example of Profittlich is very relevant for us today. We live in a world where indifference toward faith often spreads, where Christians may face ridicule or exclusion, where many people feel alone and hopeless. In such a situation, the example of our blessed bishop calls 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 outward hope was gone, is a signpost for us: our hope is not based on human guarantees but on God’s faithfulness. Holiness is the most important fruit the Church can bear, for it shows that we follow Christ not only in theory but in practice. The Church is credible in today’s world only when she demonstrates 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 Church’s case, all that is external, visible, and even beautiful — are certainly necessary, but not enough; the fruit, which is less visible yet sustains life, is the Church’s true purpose.

Dear brothers and sisters,​

We all wish that this beatification would not remain merely a historical memory but would become the beginning of a new spiritual spring in the Church of Estonia. For this, I propose a few concrete steps:

- Let us pray often to Blessed Eduard Profittlich, both personally and within the liturgical life of our parishes. Our families, our young people, our sick and elderly, our nation — all need his intercession.

- The life of Blessed Eduard teaches us that fidelity does not consist only in performing great deeds, but in remaining faithful in small, daily things: faithfulness in prayer, in Sunday Mass, in service to one’s neighbor.

- Blessed Eduard loved all the people entrusted to him, regardless of their nationality or language. We too must bear witness that the Church is one, that the love of Jesus knows no boundaries, and that together we form “one heart and one soul,” like the first Christians in Jerusalem and as we ourselves felt on September 6 at Freedom Square.

A martyr bears witness not only by dying but also by living. Following the example of Blessed Eduard, I invite all of you to be joyful witnesses of faith in your homes, workplaces, and society. Do not be afraid to speak about your faith; do not be afraid to help those who are weak and poor; do not be afraid to live the Gospel openly.

Dear brothers and sisters,​

The beatification of Blessed Eduard Profittlich is God’s gift for our time — but it is also a mission. God has shown us that fidelity and love are possible even under the hardest circumstances. Now we must carry this torch forward, living our faith with courage and trusting completely in the Lord. I entrust especially to your prayers the pilgrimage of the Catholic Church in Estonia to Rome, during which Estonian pilgrims will have a private audience with Pope Leo XIV. We wish especially to thank the Holy Father for the establishment of the new Diocese of Tallinn and for the first beatification in Estonia.

Finally, I entrust our entire Catholic community in Estonia to the intercession of Blessed Eduard Profittlich. Let us pray that his prayers may lead us to deeper faith, stronger hope, and greater love. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and Patroness of this Land of Mary, protect and guard us always.

May the Lord’s blessing and peace be with you always!

✠ Philippe Jourdan

Bishop of Tallinn

September 13, 2025