On Saturday, August 24, a pilgrimage to Viru-Nigula in Estonia took place. This year the Catholic Church in Estonia celebrated the 25th anniversary of the first pilgrimage to Viru-Nigula Maarja Chapel, which took place on May 1, 2000 that was declared by Pope John Paul II as a Holy Year throughout the Catholic Church.
The pilgrimage began with a Holy Mass in St. Nicholas Church in Viru-Nigula, which was consecrated by the Apostolic Administrator of Estonia, Bishop Philippe Jourdan. A gathering followed in the Viru-Nigula community centre and then Adoration and a procession to the ruins of St. Mary’s Chapel.
For the first time, a group of pilgrims from the Order of Malta Estonia participated in the pilgrimage, bringing together members of the foundation’s council, their family members and volunteers. Rev. Edgaras Versockis, the Chaplain of the Order of Malta participated in the consecration of the Holy Mass. Order of Malta Foundation in Estonia also supported the Church by providing a light meal for the pilgrims.
St. Mary’s Chapel is a ruined chapel is the oldest stone sacred building in Virumaa. The ruins of the chapel have been recognized as a national cultural monument. To this day, it is not clear why the chapel was built. It is believed that the chapel may be a memorial to the battle between the Livonian Order and Russian troops in 1268 near Viru-Nigula. After the Reformation in the 16th century, the chapel was no longer maintained. Since the chapel was later associated with popular superstition, the chapel was partially demolished in the 17th century and remained in disrepair.
“This year, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the day when the Roman Pope Pius XI re-recognized the Catholic Church of Estonia as a separate ecclesiastical institution. This decision certainly gave the Catholic Church in Estonia a new life and missionary spirit. We thank God and His Mother for the graces and blessings that the Estonian Catholic Church has received during the last 100 years, both in difficult and better times. And we especially ask that God, through the intercession of His holy Mother, bless our church with many graces in this new century that is now beginning. Among other things, dear brothers and sisters, I ask you to pray that the Church may soon beatify our first apostolic administrator, Eduard Profittlich,” Bishop Jourdan wrote in his message to Estonian Catholics before the pilgrimage.
“Participating in a pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary, especially a pilgrimage dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is important for the Estonian catholics in many reasons, both spiritual and communal. Pilgrimages are often a spiritual quest. It is an opportunity for Catholics to approach God and renew their faith in places where the Blessed Virgin Mary has appeared, such as Lourdes, Fatima, etc., or in places traditionally associated with the Virgin Mary, such as Częstochowa in Poland or Šiluva in Lithuania or Viru-Nigula here. Pilgrimages give pilgrims the opportunity to devote themselves to prayer and meditation, away from the distractions of everyday life. This can lead to deep introspection that allows you to reflect on your life, your actions, and your relationships with others and God. Pilgrimage is often seen as an act of penance and a way of seeking forgiveness for one’s sins. This may involve sacrificial acts such as traveling long distances, but the most important thing is reconciling yourself to God in the sacrament of penance. The pilgrimage is also an opportunity to meet and communicate with other Catholics, to help each other. It strengthens the sense of church belonging by providing mutual support and the opportunity to meet people who share the same faith,” Jourdan added.
We thank God for the pilgrimage that went very well and we ask for many blessings to repeat the activities of the Order of Malta both in Estonia and around the world!
