National Bahá’í Schools

Ideas from the Committees—Inspiring Devotional Programs

“Blessed Journey” from Louisiana’s National Bahá’í School

Their school began on the Holy Day, the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, with this beautiful, spiritually-awakening experience for all. As friends arrived, each group of about 15 were given different-color stickers. When the activity began, each color-group was called to begin their “journey”, about five to seven minutes after the previous group.

In advance, the couple preparing “The Blessed Journey” had asked the committee to completely empty seven cabins — they even removed bunk beds! The friends were invited in advance to bring “environment” pieces to share: rugs, cloths, artificial flowers, candles, lamps, etc. With these, and additional pieces brought in by the organizers (who have done a number of dramatic re-enactments of Bahá’í history), each of the rooms was prepared, recreating a place from Bahá’u’lláh’s Life. Thus, one room was the “Siyah-Chal”, with a bare floor and walls, heavy metal chains, and a candle sitting on the floor. “Bahji” was beautifully transformed with rich rugs, flowers and scents that recreated the Holy Land. Another room replicated Bahá’u’lláh’s room in ‘Akka, and so on.

Outside each room was a poster describing the significance of this particular place in Bahá’u’lláh’s Ministry.

When a group entered the room, they were greeted by an actor or actress, some dressed in period costume, who read from a script (about 3 pages), stories of what transpired in this particular place, during Bahá’u’lláh’s time there. Each presentation lasted five to seven minutes, so that each group finished one room in time to go on to the next. The actors stayed in place, repeating their story-telling performance nine times in order to accommodate all the friends.

When a group had traveled together through all seven stops on the “journey”, they proceeded to the dining hall for a special “Birth of Bahá’u’lláh” luncheon.

The Louisiana Regional School Committee reports that this moving experience created such an atmosphere of calm and spiritual receptivity that everyone was prepared to eagerly learn throughout the rest of the school session. They have decided to find ways to similarly begin all their sessions — creating a spiritual bond and refreshment, before the study begins.

For more information, please contact Emilia Bellone, secretary, at ejbellone@cox.net

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