Message from the National Spiritual Assembly to the Bahá’ís of Canada, 6 September 2017

To the friends gathered at the Feast of Might

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

At this Feast, we are delighted to share with you further information about the film commissioned by the Universal House of Justice to commemorate the bicentenary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, a final version of which will be made available to National Spiritual Assemblies in mid-September for reproduction and in some cases further translation into local languages from Arabic, English, French, Persian, Russian and Spanish. A letter dated 30 August written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice states: “The film, titled Light to the World, will have a running time of 51 minutes and, through narration and a series of brief contributions by believers in diverse settings across the Bahá’í world, describes aspects of the life and teachings of the Blessed Beauty and illustrates how His Message is effecting a transformation in the lives of individuals and communities. While it is hoped that the film will be of interest to the general public, it will naturally be most meaningful for those who have some familiarity with the Faith and have interacted with the Bahá’í community.”

Once the final version of the film is available, the National Assembly will make arrangements for the creation of DVDs and for its dissemination in time for the bicentenary. The House of Justice has asked the friends to refrain from holding public viewings of the film or posting it on the internet prior to the bicentenary, and notes that “Shortly before those blessed days, the film in the above-mentioned languages will be made available to view or download on a section of the Bahai.org website dedicated to the bicentenary celebrations.”

This film will be a powerful instrument for those who are working “to reach out to the widest possible cross-section of society and to all those with whom they share a connection”¹ in anticipation of the two hundredth anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh on the weekend of 21–22 October 2017. Of the period following this celebration, the House of Justice said: “… The spiritual forces that are sure to be released on that most auspicious occasion will do much to spur the friends into action as they commence the eight cycles that lie between the two bicentenaries, during which the greatest share of the effort needed to fulfil the goal of the Plan will be required.”²

Stirred by your efforts to reach out, Canada’s diverse populations are being prepared to draw closer to Bahá’u’lláh and strengthened in their commitment to work for the betterment of the world. This weekend falls during the anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Canada, and the National Spiritual Assembly will be meeting in Montreal to offer grateful, ardent prayers at the Shrine on your behalf and that of the thousands who are working at your side. May His vision of Canada inspire your conversation at this Feast about the next stage, the eight cycles that follow the Twin Holy Days:

Again I repeat that the future of Canada, whether from a material or a spiritual standpoint, is very great. Day by day civilization and freedom shall increase. The clouds of the Kingdom will water the seeds of guidance which have been sown there. Consequently, rest ye not, seek ye no composure, attach not yourselves to the luxuries of this ephemeral world, free yourselves from every attachment, and strive with heart and soul to become fully established in the Kingdom of God. Gain ye the heavenly treasures. Day by day become ye more illumined. Draw ye nearer and nearer unto the threshold of oneness. Become ye the manifestors of spiritual favors and the dawning-places of infinite lights!³

With loving Bahá’í greetings,
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF CANADA
[signed: Karen McKye, Secretary]

_____________________
¹ 18 May 2016 on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies
² ibid
³ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 95