A new version of the Bahá’í Reference Library is now available. This ‘old version’ of the Bahá’í Reference Library will be replaced at a later date.

The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »

Messages to Canada

  • Author:

  • Shoghi Effendi

  • Source:
  • Bahá’í Canada Publications
  • Pages:
  • 276
Go to printed page GO
Pages 90-91

Letter of 15 March 1947

15 March 1947

To Elsa Vento1

Dear Bahá’í Sister:
Your letter of January 15th was received, and our beloved Guardian was very happy to hear from you. He has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
The desire you have to return to Finland and teach your sisters and other people this wonderful Message meets with his full approval, and he hopes you will make every effort to do so. This would be rendering your native land a great spiritual service of historic importance.
Finland is so far away, and so few of the Bahá’ís have been able to visit it or to speak its language, that it has been very difficult until now to teach there. What is needed are believers like yourself and Miss ..., who speak the language and who have the longing to teach the Finnish people.
He will certainly pray that the way may open for you to return to Finland and establish the Cause there on a firm basis.

With warm Bahá’í love,

R. Rabbani

P.S. He is writing to your sister in Finland, encouraging her to teach the Cause.

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved aid you to fulfil speedily your heart’s desire, and enable you, in collaboration with your sister, to promote the interests of the Faith in Finland, and lay a firm basis for its God-given institutions,

Your true and grateful brother,

Shoghi
1.Elsa Vento—a native of Finland who became a Bahá’í in Toronto in 1938, pioneered to Prince Edward Island in 1944, and returned to Finland in 1953. For more details see The Bahá’í World Vol. XIII, 900–901, In Memoriam.  [ Back To Reference]