Devotions at the Center: Sundays, 10:30 a.m. — 11:45
a.m.
the Center is located at 2140
St. John’s Bluff Road.
Devotions in homes: Some community members open their homes for others to join them in prayer. Regretably, we cannot publish home addresses on the Web. Please email the community Secretary: info@jaxbahai.org
“Deliver your souls, O people, from the bondage of self, and purify them from all attachment to anything besides Me [God]. Remembrance of Me cleanseth all things from defilement, could ye but perceive it. ... Intone, O My servant, the verses of God that have been received by thee, ... that the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of all men. Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth. ...”
— Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, pp. 294-295
“If one friend loves another, is it not natural that he should wish to say so? Though he knows that that friend is aware of his love, does he still not wish to tell him of it? It is true that God knows the wishes of all hearts; but the impulse to pray is a natural one, springing from man's love to God.
“... Prayer need not be in words, but rather in thought and action. But if this love and this desire are lacking, it is useless to try to force them. Words without love mean nothing. If a person talks to you as an unpleasant duty, finding neither love nor enjoyment in the meeting, do you wish to converse with him?”
— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, From an
article in “Fortnightly Review,” Jul.-Dec. 1911,
p. 784 by Miss E. S. Stevens
Our devotional gatherings are simple and genuine. You will not find sermons or preaching. We have no clergy, altar, pulpit, or rituals. There are no congregational prayers, and no ritual activities, motions, gestures, or garments.
Devotions ordinarily consist of prayers from our Scripture read, recited, or chanted by volunteers while the rest listen attentively with hearts and minds turned to God. Women, men, and children may recite. Prayers are recited in English or the language of the reader. (You can read and download a small sample of Bahá’í prayers here.)
It is not customary to say "Amen" after a prayer. Sometimes, at the end of a prayer, a reader may say the name or initials of the prayer’s author, i.e., Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, or ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. This is not mandatory.
The format of the devotional gathering depends in part on the volunteers who arrange the service. Music, songs based on our Scripture, or culturally appropriate dance may be included. The burning of incense is not prohibited, but it is rarely done. There may be a floral arrangement.
We do not take collections or accept money from non-Bahá’ís.
Deepening our understanding of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation, incorporating His teachings into our lives, and developing as spiritual beings is vitally important to every Bahá’í. Efforts to further our understanding, either through informal discussion or in more structured ways, such as study circles, is a frequent part of Bahá’í gatherings.
The intellectual and moral development of children is a paramount concern for Bahá’ís. Children’s classes or activities are normally scheduled to coincide with adult activities.
There are several holy days commemorating significant Bahá’í anniversaries. Of these, nine are days on which work and school should be suspended. Holy days are usually observed in the Bahá’í community with devotional gatherings, and when appropriate, with festivities.
| Name | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Festival of Naw-Rúz | March 21 | The Bahá’í New Year's Day. Naw-Rúz coincides with the vernal equinox and the first day of Spring. | Festival of Rid.ván | April 21 – May 2 | Twelve days commemorating Bahá’u’lláh’s Declaration of His Mission to His companions in 1863. The first, nineth, and twelfth days of Rid.ván are days when work should be suspended. |
| Declaration of the Báb | May 23 | The date in 1844 on which the Báb declared to Mullá H.usayn that the Báb was the Promised One. |
| Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh | May 29 | A solemn observance of Bahá’u’lláh’s passing from this world in 1892. |
| Martyrdom of the Báb | July 9 | A solemn observance of the execution of the Báb in 1850. |
| Birth of the Báb | October 20 | The birth date of the Báb. |
| Birth of Bahá’u’lláh | November 12 | The birth date of the Bahá’u’lláh. |
| Day of the Covenant | November 26 | Festival commemorating Bahá’u’lláh’s appointment of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the Center of His Covenant. |
| Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá | November 28 | A solemn observance of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s passing from this world in 1921. |
In addition to the holy days above, Bahá’í’s also observe Ayyám-i-Há, meaning literally, "Days of Há," February 26 through March 1. These are four intercalary days (five in leap years) immediately prior to the month of the Fast. Ayyám-i-Há is set aside for feasting, hospitality, charity, gift-giving, and preparation for the Fast.