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Montreal, June 25, 2023 - As part of the 2nd edition of the Festival of Diversity organized by the Bon courage Place Benoît Community Center from July 24 to 30, 2023, the Saint-Laurent Bahá'í Community was invited as guest of honour to take part in a round table discussion on the theme: "Sport, the arts and political commitment: how can we ensure the inclusive integration of young people from immigrant communities in Quebec?

We agreed to talk about: "How art could be a unifying element to integrate young people into our community," says Gigi Vidal, spokesperson for the Bahá'í community.

The festival kicked off at around 11 a.m., in the presence of the Executive Director of the Bon Courage Community Centre, the Assistant to the Member of Parliament, Ms. Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Montreal City Councillor and Leader of the Official Opposition, Mr. Aref Salem, and a hundred other guests, representing dozens of ethnicities and cultures from Saint-Laurent.

In his welcome address, the spokesman for the Bahá'í community warmly thanked the Bon Courage Centre for inviting us as their guest of honour! 

The organizers of the Bon Courage Centre, who for the 2nd year running had organized this magnificent Festival of Diversity for the betterment of the Laurentian community, are made up of dozens of devoted people who have given their heart to community action. Their dedication is an example to us all!

Although a small community, the Bahá'í Faith has been established in Saint-Laurent for 57 years and participates fully in the life of society, contributing to the social, material and spiritual progress of the Laurentian community. 

The panelists were made up of three speakers and a moderator, including Cynthia Wu-Maheux, who began her speech with a quote from the Universal House of Justice on the importance of art in the community:

"The arts as a whole, which are an integral part of community development from the outset, stand out as an important tool for generating joy, strengthening bonds of unity, spreading knowledge and consolidating understanding. And, of course, there's always a strong emphasis on opening up to the outside world: finding ways to share. An elegant integration of the arts into the various activities enhances the wave of energy."

A lively debate followed the speakers' presentations, which lasted a long time! The conversation with Cynthia continued outside the conference room, in the parking lot and finally in the park next door until 5:30 p.m.!

The activity in Poirier Park the following day was also very lively! The Bahá'í community had a booth, a peace banner, flyers for youth empowerment activities and general information about the Faith. Some young people from the CEGEP Vanier youth empowerment program were also present. Many a message of Peace was written on tree leaves and glued to the banner! Unfortunately a thunderstorm cut the day short and the event was over by 6 p.m.

Montreal, July 10, 2023 - The Báhá'is of our Montreal neighborhoods, as well as communities around the world, have commemorated the martyrdom of the Báb, executed in 1850.

In the year 1901, after the publication of Tolstoy's famous book called “War and Peace”, Prince Reza Arfa Al-Feld (Ambassador of the Iranian government in Istanbul and also official representative of Iran during the first conference of The Hague) wrote a letter to Tolstoy asking him to explain to him the tools for a lasting peace. Here is Tolstoy's response: “I am grateful for your kindness. ...That question was very surprising and didn't sound so serious about how you asked me for the tools for lasting peace. If this question were sincere, the Iranian government and nation would not have martyred and exiled two prophets of peace named Hazrat Báb [his holiness The Door] and Hazrat Bahá'u'lláh [his holiness The Glory of God] who both came from Iran. ...Make sure the key to peace is in the hands of the prisoner of Akka [a city of Israel], Hazrat is Bahá'u'lláh. …”

This social and religious reform movement gained momentum on July 10, 1850 in Tabriz, Persia (today's Iran). In presence of the civil and religious authorities and the consular body, a young man of 31 years, called “the Báb”, was publicly executed by a squadron of soldiers. His crime? To have preached in the name of God, everyone's freedom of conscience, equality of sexes, social justice, but above all, the imminent coming of a great world educator, the Promised or the Messiah announced by the sacred writings of all religions of the world. The role of the Báb, forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892) and having prepared the people to recognize him, is very similar to that of Saint John the Baptist. Just as John the Baptist said of Christ: “He who comes after me is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy to wear his shoes.” the Báb wrote concerning Bahá’u’lláh:” Verily, I myself am but a ring placed on the finger of him whom God will make manifest. He spins it as he pleases”.

Shortly before the Báb's execution, the young and devout disciple Áqá Muhammad 'Ali had ardently begged his executioners to be martyred with him and placed on the pillar in such a way that his own body would protect that of the Báb. A little later, they eventually were suspended by means of ropes placed under the arms in such a way that the head of Muhammad 'Ali rested on the chest of his beloved Master. “Had you believed in Me, O wayward generation,” were the last words of the Báb to the gazing multitude as the regiment was preparing to fire the final volley, “every one of you would have followed the example of this youth, who stood in rank above most of you, and willingly would have sacrificed himself in My path. The day will come when you will have recognized Me; that day I shall have ceased to be with you.”

 

Photo: Shrine of the Báb and the Hanging Gardens of Mount Carmel, Haifa-Israel.

Source : Face Book page, Jacques Proulx.

Montreal, Saturday, April 29, 2023 - A magnificent 60-minute Concert by Marguerite Bilodeau transformed the souls of the participants on the 9th day of the Riḍván Festival. A talented and multidisciplinary artist who plays several instruments accompanied by her angelic voice in her old age perfectly represented the spirit of this event that has been celebrated around the world.

Marguerite Bilodeau, 87, is the mother of 5 children, has 10 grandchildren, and a great-grandson. She has been a nurse for over 25 years and now runs her own business called Marguerite & Soleil.

Marguerite is a producer, writer, painter and an accomplished musician. She has studied piano, guitar, recorder, cello, harpsichord, Celtic and Paraguayan harps. She has composed over 60 songs in French and English.

Peace, Justice and Joie de vivre are words that wrap around her like a glove. She is committed to educating people of all ages about the culture of peace.

The celebration of the 9th day of Riḍván was held at the Bahá'í Center of Montreal in the presence of about 30 people from all over the city. Similar celebrations were held in other neighborhoods as well.

About Bahá'u'lláh's twelve-day stay in the garden of Najibiyyih, Nabil, the chronicler of the time, writes:

The departure of Bahá'u'lláh from the Garden of Riḍván, at noon, on May 3, 1863, witnessed scenes of tumultuous enthusiasm no less spectacular, and even more touching, than those which greeted Him when leaving His Most Great House in Baghdad. "The great tumult," wrote an eyewitness, "associated in our minds with the Day of Gathering, the Day of Judgment, we beheld on that occasion. Believers and unbelievers alike sobbed and lamented. The chiefs and notables who had congregated were struck with wonder. Emotions were stirred to such depths as no tongue can describe, nor could any observer escape their contagion."

"Rejoice, with exceeding gladness, O people of Baha!", He, in another Tablet, has written, "as ye call to remembrance the Day of supreme felicity, the Day whereon the Tongue of the Ancient of Days hath spoken, as He departed from His House proceeding to the Spot from which He shed upon the whole of creation the splendors of His Name, the All-Merciful... Were We to reveal the hidden secrets of that Day, all that dwell on earth and in the heavens would swoon away and die, except such as will be preserved by God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Mounted on His steed, a red roan stallion of the finest breed, the best His lovers could purchase for Him, and leaving behind Him a bowing multitude of fervent admirers, He rode forth on the first stage of a journey that was to carry Him to the city of Constantinople. "Numerous were the heads," Nabil himself a witness of that memorable scene, recounts, "which, on every side, bowed to the dust at the feet of His horse, and kissed its hoofs, and countless were those who pressed forward to embrace His stirrups." "How great the number of those embodiments of fidelity," testifies a fellow-traveler, "who, casting themselves before that charger, preferred death to separation from their Beloved! Methinks, that blessed steed trod upon the bodies of those pure-hearted souls." "He (God) it was," Bahá'u'lláh Himself declares, "Who enabled Me to depart out of the city (Baghdad), clothed with such majesty as none, except the denier and the malicious, can fail to acknowledge." These marks of homage and devotion continued to surround Him until He was installed in Constantinople.

  • Reference: Shoghi Effendi : God Passes By

Montreal, June 17, 2023 - Some 300 participants from all walks of life attended a one-day conference, the second in Montreal, in the large auditorium of Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf. They came from all over the city, even as far away as the suburbs of Toronto! - Bahá'ís with their friends, neighbors and co-workers, to be an active partner in “Bahá'u'lláh's Vision for Humanity”.

Visionaries such as Alan DeSousa, Montreal city councillor, mayor of the borough of Saint-Laurent and current vice-president responsible for sustainable development, the environment, parks and green spaces, Aref Salem, city councillor and leader of the official opposition, Gabriela Guilbault, community "organizer" of Femmes internationales murs brisés and of CHINDAÏ's Mtl program, Kadiétou Savadogo, executive director of the Centre communautaire Bon Courage Place Benoît and her partner, actively participated in the conference's workshops and plenary sessions.

Organized by the Cluster Teaching Committee of Montréal Region, this conference gave participants the opportunity to better understand the nature of the spiritual enterprise in which they are engaged, to become aware of how far they have come, and to deepen their understanding of the demands of the current stage in the realization of the Divine Plan. They will strive to better appreciate the privilege of being part of a community that has set its sights on the spiritual and material transformation of society, and the good fortune of being linked by bonds of love and comradeship with brothers and sisters in a global effort, each working within the same framework of action, all united under the protective shadow of the Covenant.

This was the second time that a Bahá'í gathering had brought together a significant number of our friends from Montreal's Chinese community. In addition to plenary and small-group discussions, a lively children's program attracted and enabled many families to attend.

The program included 14 workshops with specific themes such as Building Dynamic Communities, Contributing to Social Transformation and Educational Projects and the Training Institute, all part of the consultation. Youth and children also had their own workshops and themes to work on! They used art as a means par excellence to express their views on how to build a better world!

The conference theme was based on the goals of the Universal House of Justice's Nine-Year Plan initiated in 2022, and inspiring individuals and communities to unleash their potential to achieve these goals.

Montreal, April 23, 2023 - As part of Volunteer Week activities, which has been celebrated for the past 24 years, more than 200 volunteers were invited to a Recognition Brunch on Sunday, April 23, 2023. Hosted by Borough Mayor Alan DeSousa (Vice President of Sustainability, Environment, Parks and Open Space) and Councillors, six members of the Bahá'í Community were also among the guests. At the Volunteer Recognition Brunch, a slide show highlighted the accomplishments of Borough organizations since 2020 as well as those of the Baha'i Community!  

It was a welcome opportunity to renew the friendships that members of the St. Laurent Bahá'í Community have cultivated with members of the Laurentian community over the past quarter century!

A considerable number of the volunteers who are involved in the various projects are members of the Montreal Bahá'í Community. Raymond Flournoy (1924-2015), for example, served as a volunteer at St. Mary's Hospital in Montreal for much of his retirement, over 24 years! Many others have served as teachers, patient attendants, music teachers and captains of sports teams or in the Canadian military!

With a massive immigrant population, Saint-Laurent is a borough composed of more than 66 ethnic groups speaking about 100 languages and dialects. It is natural that there are a considerable number of organizations involved in volunteer work. Naturally, the members of the Bahá'í Community in this district were and still are involved in these activities for at least three decades!

Probably the first volunteer in this neighborhood was Suzanne Prud'homme (1933-2020) who worked throughout her retirement at Place Benoit. One of the main characteristics of the population that lives in Place Benoit is its very great diversity. In fact, some 50 ethnic groups of different cultural or religious backgrounds live there. Suzanne managed for about fifteen years the feeding and dressing of the inhabitants of this remarkable agglomeration! “We had even organized Learning courses for some families in this part of the city," says one of the Baha'is!

Other members of the Bahá'í Community are involved in non-profit organizations in the borough, such as CARI Saint-Laurent, Centre d'Encadrement pour Jeunes Femmes Immigrantes (CEJFI), Le Comité des organismes sociaux de Saint-Laurent (COSSL), Cégep de Saint-Laurent, the YMCA, the Maison des Parents de Bordeaux-Cartierville and Centre ABC (Centre Action Bénévole)

The Saint-Laurent administration has always held in high esteem the work that volunteers on a daily basis and that they contribute significantly to the quality of life enjoyed by the citizens of Saint-Laurent.

Montreal, May 29, 2023 - Friends from the "Coeur de l'Est", Anjou and Saint-Laurent neighbourhoods gathered to commemorate the ascension of God's universal Messenger at the dawn of this memorable morning! The immortal soul of God's Manifestation, Bahá'u'lláh, took flight for the eternal Kingdom at dawn on May 29, 1892, eight hours after sunset.

Nine months before His ascension Bahá’u’lláh, as attested by Abdu'l-Bahá, had voiced His desire to depart from this world. From that time onward it became increasingly evident, from the tone of His remarks to those who attained His presence, that the close of His earthly life was approaching, though He refrained from mentioning it openly to anyone. On the night preceding May 8, 1892, He contracted a slight fever which, though it mounted the following day, soon after subsided. He continued to grant interviews to certain of the friends and pilgrims, but it soon became evident that He was not well. His fever returned in a more acute form than before, His general condition grew steadily worse, complications ensued which at last culminated in His ascension, at the hour of dawn, on May 29, 1892, eight hours after sunset, in the 75th year of His age. His spirit, at long last released from the toils of a life crowded with tribulations, had winged its flight to His "other dominions," dominions "whereon the eyes of the people of names have never fallen."

Bahá’u’lláh was accordingly laid to rest in the northernmost room of the house which served as a dwelling-place for His son-in-law, the most northerly of the three houses lying to the west of, and adjacent to, the Mansion. His interment took place shortly after sunset, on the very day of His ascension.

With the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh draws to a close a period which, in many ways, is unparalleled in the world's religious history. The first century of the Baha'i Era had by now run half its course. An epoch, unsurpassed in its sublimity, its fecundity and duration by any previous Dispensation, and characterized, except for a short interval of three years, by half a century of continuous and progressive Revelation, had terminated. The Message proclaimed by the Bab had yielded its golden fruit. The most momentous, though not the most spectacular phase of the Heroic Age had ended. The Sun of Truth, the world's greatest Luminary, had risen in the Siyah-Chal (subterranean black pit prison)of Tihran, had broken through the clouds which enveloped it in Baghdad, had suffered a momentary eclipse whilst mounting to its zenith in Adrianople and had set finally in Akka, never to reappear ere the lapse of a full millennium.

An ocular witness writes:

Outwardly He was a Prisoner, condemned and wronged, but in reality, He was the Sun of Glory, the Manifestation of grandeur and majesty, the King of the Kingdom of poise and dignity. Although He showed much compassion and loving-kindness, and approached anyone who came to His presence with tender care and humbleness, and often used to make humorous remarks to put them at ease, yet in spite of these, no one, whether faithful or disbelieving, learned or unlettered, wise or foolish, was able to utter ten words in His presence in the usual everyday manner. Indeed, many would find themselves to be tremulous with an impediment in their speech.​ 

References:

- God Passes By, Shoghi Effendi

- Haji Mirza Heydar Ali, quoted in Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh

 

 

Montreal, April 21, 2023 – The Montreal Bahá’í Community, like other similar localities around the world, celebrated the Most Great Festival of the Bahá’í calendar, the historically unique Festival of Riḍván. It is an occasion to elect the Bahá’í Institutions throughout the world, whether locally or nationally. Thus, the Montreal Community elected its local administrative body of nine individuals who are going to serve the Community for one year. It was the first time that such gathering was held at the Montreal Bahá’í Centre since the pandemic started in 2019.

This day also marks Bahá’u’lláh’s time in the garden of Riḍván outside of Baghdád in 1863. There, for the first time, He publicly declared His station as a Manifestation of God.

“The Divine Springtime is come, O Most Exalted Pen, for the Festival of the All-Merciful is fast approaching. Bestir thyself, and magnify, before the entire creation, the name of God, and celebrate His praise, in such wise that all created things may be regenerated and made new. Speak, and hold not thy peace. 1” 

What Bahá’u’lláh announced in the garden of Riḍván is outstanding. Not only did He claim to be a new Manifestation of God, but also the Promised One foretold in the Sacred Scriptures of all of the world’s great religions. He is the fulfillment in the continuum of Divine Messengers, who include Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad and the Bab.

Shoghi Effendi elaborates Bahá’u’lláh’s station in God Passes By: 

To Israel He was neither more nor less than the incarnation of the “Everlasting Father,” the “Lord of Hosts” come down “with ten thousands of saints”; to Christendom Christ returned “in the glory of the Father,” to Shi’ah Islam the return of the Imam Husayn; to Sunni Islam the descent of the “Spirit of God” (Jesus Christ); to the Zoroastrians the promised Shah-Bahram; to the Hindus the reincarnation of Krishna; to the Buddhists the fifth Buddha. 2

Bahá’u’lláh refers to Himself as follows:

He it is Who hath laid bare before you the hidden and treasured Gem, were ye to seek it. He it is Who is the one Beloved of all things, whether of the past or of the future. 1

This is the Paradise the rustling of whose leaves proclaimeth: “O ye that inhabit the heavens and the earth! There hath appeared what hath never previously appeared. He Who, from everlasting, had concealed His Face from the sight of creation is now come.” 3

Bahá’u’lláh is giving us a dual responsibility. Not only are we asked to recognize Him and His station, but we are asked to obey His laws – such as spreading His Teachings actively, serving others, and manifesting goodly qualities such as love, generosity and kindness towards all.

Arise, and proclaim unto the entire creation the tidings that He Who is the All-Merciful hath directed His steps towards the Riḍván and entered it. Guide, then, the people unto the garden of delight which God hath made the Throne of His Paradise. We have chosen thee to be Our most mighty Trumpet, whose blast is to signalize the resurrection of all mankind. 3

Athough the garden of Riḍván was a location in Baghdád, but it could also be a spiritual place, a garden of delight, or City of Certitude.

What is important about Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings is the fact that He came to build a New World Order, to transform souls and to rejuvenate both individuals and collective society. Through the power of the Divine Springtime, we are able to make a new creation of ourselves as well as our communities.

… We have caused every soul to expire by virtue of Our irresistible and all-subduing sovereignty. We have, then, called into being a new creation, as a token of Our grace unto men. I am, verily, the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days. 3

In a Tablet revealed on the ninth day of Riḍván, Bahá’u’lláh asks God to help some of the believers to know themselves better. Since one can associate the period of Riḍván to fine-tuning all the understandings we acquire during the time of the Fast, the following quote is very endearing:

O Lord, help certain souls among them to know their own selves and to restrain their tongues, lest they utter that which would abase their stations and bring their works to naught. Thou, verily, hast power over all things. 4

All in all, the Writings make us realize the privilege of recognizing Bahá’u’lláh’s station and drinking even a drop of the chalice of eternal life, which ultimately is His Message and Teachings:

Drink deep, O ye dwellers of earth and heaven, from the chalice of eternal life that the hand of Bahá proferreth in this most lofty and exalted Paradise. By God! Whoso partaketh but a drop thereof shall neither suffer the vicissitudes of time nor fall prey to the wiles of the Evil One, but the Lord shall send him forth in every Dispensation adorned with a hallowed and wondrous beauty. All hail then to this, the Festival of the Lord, that hath been made manifest from the seat of the Lord of all wisdom! 5

FOOTNOTES:

  1. Days of Remembrance: Selections from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh for Bahá’í Holy Days, Riḍván # 6
  2. Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, US Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1979 second printing, p. 94
  3. Ibid.
  4. Days of Remembrance: Selections from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh for Bahá’í Holy Days, Riḍván #17
  5. Days of Remembrance: Selections from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh for Bahá’í Holy Days, Riḍván # 7

Photo: BWC Archives - A delegate is voting during an International Convention

 

Montreal, May 23 2023 – Shoghi Effendi, the late Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, writes in a letter addressed to the Bahá’í Community of India that “The believers must hold gatherings for the Bahá'ís at exactly 2 hours and 11 minutes after sunset on May 22nd, 1944* as this is the exact time when The Báb declared His Mission to Mulla Hussayn. They should also arrange to hold public gatherings on May 23rd and enlist the support of prominent friends of the Faith as speakers, together with Bahá'í speakers, on that occasion. They should, as far as possible, hold festive gatherings at this time, give banquets at which friends of the Cause and believers are present, obtain as much space in the press of India as possible, and in general devise ways and means of making this a glorious and memorable celebration.”1

In Montreal neighbourhoods as well as throughout the world, the Bahá’ís and their friends celebrated this auspicious occasion with joy and happiness.

In Saint-Laurent neighbourhood a celebration gathering took place via videoconference with a dozen of friends including friends from “Coeur de l’Est” and Anjou. A befitting program including videos portraying the event of that memorable night, 180 years ago, which took place in the upper chamber of a modest house in an obscure corner of the city of Shiraz in southern Iran!

In the “Tablet of visitation” revealed by the author of the Bahá’í Faith and it is recited during such events, He affirms: “I testify, moreover, that with but a movement of Thy Pen Thine injunction “Be Thou” hath been enforced, and God’s hidden Secret hath been divulged, and all created things have been called into being, and all the Revelations have been sent down.”2

The event of that memorable night of May 23, was indeed a “trail-breakers of the New Day, … to so much intrigue, ignorance, depravity, cruelty, superstition and cowardice opposed a spirit exalted, unquenchable and awe-inspiring, a knowledge surprisingly profound, an eloquence sweeping in its force, a piety unexcelled in fervor, a courage leonine in its fierceness, a self-abnegation saintly in its purity, a resolve granite-like in its firmness, a vision stupendous in its range, … a standard of faith and a code of conduct that challenged and revolutionized the lives of their countrymen.”3

The year of the Báb’s declaration in 1844 is the beginning of the Bahá’í calendar, known as the Badí‘ calendar, confirmed and adopted by Bahá’u’lláh.

“The adoption of a new calendar in each dispensation is a symbol of the power of Divine Revelation to reshape human perception of material, social, and spiritual reality. Through it, sacred moments are distinguished, humanity’s place in time and space reimagined, and the rhythm of life recast.”4

With this historic Declaration the dawn of an Age that signalizes the consummation of all ages had broken.

 

*In the current year 2023, the date was May 23.

Sources:

  • Shoghi Effendi, LETTERS ADDRESSED TO THE N.S.A. OF INDIA, June 22, 1943
  • Bahá’u’lláh, Tablet of Visitation
  • Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By
  • The Universal House of Justice

Montreal, March 21, 2023 – Bahá'ís from different parts of the city such as Saint-Laurent, Coeur de l’Est and Centre-Ville, celebrated the New Year of the 180th Bahá'í Era!

Nasseem, a youth from DDO had the idea of having a display showing the preparation for Naw-Ruz and “ haft seen”  installation with the hope that it will spark the curiosity of whoever chooses to visit, to explore independently all that interconnects us interculturally through this holiday. The organization of Naw-Ruz was created out of a need to empower the children of immigrants living in the diaspora under assimilation, who might feel estranged, and encourage connection to heritage, customs, language and homeland. The goal is to amplify and adapt ancient traditions, and build an accessible community for diaspora misfits. Nasseem works in collaboration with other organizations, like Maktaba Bookshop, to create opportunities for connection.

Naw-Rúz is the first day of the Baháʼí calendar year and one of eleven holy days for adherents of the Baháʼí Faith. It occurs on the vernal equinox, on or near March 21, which is the traditional Iranian New Year.

The traditional Nowruz holiday, from which the Baháʼí holiday derives, has been celebrated since ancient times in Iran, and is observed by culturally-adjacent peoples in Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iraq, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, and Tajikistan. The Báb, the founder of Bábi Faith, and then Baháʼu'lláh, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith, adopted the day as a holy day and associated it with the Most Great Name of God. The Baháʼí holiday as now calculated does not always fall on the same day as the traditional festival (but may differ by one day), and does not incorporate a number of Persian cultural practices associated with the traditional holiday, but is a religious event featuring readings from Baháʼí scriptures.

It is new year, wrote ‘Abdu’l-Bahá —that is to say, the rounding of the cycle of the year. A year is the expression of a cycle (of the sun). But now is the beginning of a cycle of Reality, a New Cycle, a New Age, a New Century, a New Time, and a New Year. Therefore, it is very blessed.

The rising of the sun at the equinox is the symbol of life, and likewise it is the symbol of the Divine Manifestations of God, for the rising of the Sun of Truth in the Heaven of Divine Bounty established the signal of Life for the world. The human reality begins to live, our thoughts are transformed and our intelligence is quickened. The Sun of Truth bestows eternal life just as the solar sun is the cause of terrestrial life.

This period of time is the Promised Age … Soon the whole world, as in springtime, will change its garb … The New Year hath appeared and the spiritual springtime is at hand.

This day in Persia inaugurates a feast which continues for thirteen days and in which all take part, rich and poor alike. They adorn themselves with new clothes and their houses are open to all. Money is distributed, music is played and the houses are decorated with flowers, for it is a fete; work is put aside and enjoyment invited. Travelers in Persia feel this transformation, for the country is in a state of complete renewal. A town which seemed dead yesterday comes to life today. People who looked anxious yesterday, today have faces shining with gladness. The poor man of yesterday, with sordid garments, is well dressed today and the whole national life is infused with joy. From time immemorial this day has been consecrated, for in this there is a symbol. At this moment the sun appears at the meridian and the day and night are equal. Until today the north pole has been in darkness. This sacred day when the sun illumines equally the whole earth is called the equinox and the equinox is the symbol of the divine messenger. The sun of truth rises on the horizon of divine mercy and sends forth its rays on all. This is the beginning of the spring. When the sun appears at the equinox it causes a movement in all living things. The mineral world is set in motion, plants begin to sprout, the desert is changed into a prairie, trees bud and every living thing responds, including the bodies of animals and men. The rising of the sun at the equinox is the symbol of life and the human reality is revivified; our thoughts are transformed and our intelligence is quickened. The sun of truth bestows eternal life, just as the solar sun is the cause of terrestrial life. The day of the appearance of God's messenger on earth is ever a sacred day, a day when man commemorates his lord. Among the ancient Persians this day was looked upon as the holy day of the year - a day when hospitals and charitable institutions were founded, collections for the poor were made and every effort put forth that it might not be allowed to pass without leaving some divine trace and throughout Persia one sees these historical traces. I am spending this New Year’s Day in Paris. I hope for considerable results from this fact. May a powerful influence remain in your hearts, signs of eternal joy and happiness that will illumine the kingdom in this city. May the breezes of the Holy Spirit waft upon you, that your intelligence may progress and your souls rejoice in your lord. Thus will you become eternal beings shining in the divine kingdom.

Sources: – ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Star of the West, Volume 9, p. 345.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Divine Philosophy, p. 74-76

Montreal, May 7, 2023 – Bahá’u’lláh in one of His writings called the Glad-Tidings says: “Although a republican form of government profiteth all the peoples of the world, yet the majesty of kingship is one of the signs of God. We do not wish that the countries of the world should remain deprived thereof. If the sagacious combine the two forms into one, great will be their reward in the presence of God.”

The coronation of a new king opened new doors and brought new vistas in mankind’s vision! It seems it was another occasion to bring the Bahá’í Faith, however subliminal, to the attention of the people of the world!

A special attention was given that the religious and First Nation delegations be present at the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey headed by the representative of the Bahá’í Community of United Kingdom, a lady carrying an OBE (Order of British Empire) from the late Queen herself! The announcer from the BBC television made specific mention of the Bahá’í Faith during the procession of representatives of various religions. Once again, the name of the Faith has been heard in this majestic Abbey which was home to several interfaith gatherings headed by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh himself!

A dignified ceremony was held on Sunday at the occasion of the new king’s coronation at Montreal Christ Church attended by some 200 dignitaries, representatives of various Government Officials including representatives of various religions including the Bahá’í Community.

In his address, the Honourable J. Michel Doyon, Q.C., 29th Lieutenant Governor of Quebec wished for a new era of unity and commonwealth of the nations under the new monarch! Later in a conversation with a member of the Montreal Bahá’í Community, he elaborated further about the essential role of religions, specifically the Bahá’í Faith being a catalyst, to introduce the fundamental truth of all religions which is the unity of humankind! He also wished that humanity understands one day how religions have been the cause of unity of humanity rather the animosity and negative elements brought about by their followers! He expressed his good wishes for the Bahá’í Community!

During a conversation with the Very Rev’d Bertrand Olivier, Dean and Rector of the Christ Church, he mentioned that he wanted very much to attend the Commemoration of the Centenary of the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at Saint James’s Cathedral but he was on duty elsewhere! He is planning to organize a meeting to bring together the religious leaders of Montreal in a forum of unity and understanding!

Perhaps the most interesting conversation was with Dr. Nichols Capozzoli, director of music at the cathedral! He said he gathered the music for this celebration from the idea of nearness to God at sunrise and sunset, honouring the awakening of the world and placing it into God’s hands again when we go to rest. This idea was masterly performed by a fifty-voice choral composed of different nations and ethnic background including a baby from First Nations on the backpack of his mother!

It is to note that it was Herbert Symonds, vicar of Christ Church (1860-1921) who introduced ‘Abd’ul-Bahá to 1200 members of congregation present at Saint James’s United Church where he gave a talk on September 5, 1912.

  1. Celebration of Intercalary Days
  2. Montreal Bahá’ís sponsored COP15 Global Conversation
  3. Day of the covenant and the Ascension of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá
  4. Twin Holy Days: The Anniversaries of the Birth of the Báb and of Bahá'u'lláh
  5. End racism. Building Peace!

 

Bahá'í Center

 

177, av des Pins E
Montréal, QC H2W 1N9
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Phone: 514-849-0753

Click here for map and hours

 

 

Montreal Shrine

 

1548, av des Pins O, Montreal
Phone: 514-568-2104

Click here for map and hours

 

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