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Walking Pilgrimage in Estonia by Lauri Jõeleht
A traditional Catholic pilgrimage took place in Southern Estonia from 13th to 15th August 2023. Around 40 faithful walked 80 kilometres (50 miles) in three days – from Urvaste to Vastseliina, which used to be one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Northern Europe in the Middle Ages. This was the fourth time the pilgrimage reviving this ancient tradition took place. The pilgrimage culminated on 15th August, the feast of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which also marked a historic moment for Catholic tradition in Estonia – a Solemn High Mass was celebrated at Vastseliina Church, the first High Mass since 1938, then celebrated by the martyr bishop Eduard Profittlich. Soon after this, the Soviet occupation made such high-profile public celebrations of Mass impossible. We were especially delighted to welcome on the pilgrimage this year two seminarians from the seminary of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP) at Wigratzbad, who were also able to serve as sacred ministers. Fr Tomasz Materna, the parish priest at the Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral in Tallinn, and who has been part of the pilgrimage since 2020, was the celebrant; the Reverend Francesco Serwe, FSSP, served as deacon and the Reverend Jan Selmer, FSSP, as subdeacon at the High Mass in honour of Our Lady’s Assumption.
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A historical note: During the Soviet occupation, the Catholic Church went almost entirely underground. For many decades, only one priest was able to operate officially, because he was considered too eccentric to be a threat. In general, information about Masses could be spread only by word of mouth, and the faithful had to keep it secret. Public Masses with small congregations were celebrated behind locked doors, and Solemn Mass was impossible. After the occupation ended, only the Novus Ordo Mass was offered in the Cathedral until 2008, when the Bishop allowed the Traditional Mass to be celebrated twice a month. This arrangement continues, with a Missa Cantata every second and fourth Sunday every month in Tallinn.
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