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The House of Worship
One of the privileges of attending the Spiritual Foundations program is proximity to the Holiest House of Worship.1. Dawn Prayers. In The Kitáb-i-Aqdas Bahá'u'lláh says: "Blessed is he who, at the hour of dawn, centering his thoughts on God, occupied by His remembrance, and supplicating His forgiveness, directeth his steps to the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár and, entering therein, seateth himself in silence to listen to the verses of God, the Sovereign, the Mighty, the All-Praised" (Aqdas, K115). When asked what "the hour of dawn" meant, Bahá'u'lláh added that "even up to two hours after sunrise" this command can be fulfilled (Aqdas, Q15).
Since the Wilmette Institute’s students reside close to the House of Worship, the students and faculty have a unique opportunity to fulfill the exhortation of the Blessed Beauty to pray at the House of Worship at Dawn. Consequently, the students hold a prayer service at the House of Worship every morning at 7:30 a.m. Attendance is not required, but Bahá'u'lláh has made clear the importance and spiritual benefits of praying at the House of Worship at dawn.
2. Worship at Other Times. During the summer the House of Worship and its gardens are open from dawn to 10 p.m. Students are urged to avail themselves of the opportunity to pray there.
3. Guiding. The House of Worship receives thousands of visitors every day during the summer and always is in need of guides. Guiding at the House of Worship is one of the service opportunities available to Wilmette Institute students Tuesday through Thursday afternoons. While students should not schedule themselves to guide when they must be in class (mornings, some afternoons, some evenings), there are many opportunities to guide. The House of Worship will provide you with an orientation and brief you about the building.
Even though the House of Worship closes at 10 p.m., on weekends it is not unusual for visitors to arrive as late as midnight. For this reason there is "garden teaching" on Friday and Saturday nights at the House of Worship from 10 p.m. to midnight. While the building itself is closed, several of the gardens are open for touring, and inevitably visitors ask many questions about the Faith. Call the House of Worship (847-853-2300) to find out about participating in garden teaching.
4. Bookstore. The House of Worship bookstore has a wide variety of books, pamphlets, jewelry, and other Bahá'í-related materials available. Wilmette Institute students will receive a 10 percent discount on all their purchases, but they must ask for the discount.