Faith

my home” upon first entering the house that the building could assume sacred status as a shrine. Indeed, Baha’is consider the homes of sacred religious figures as shrines. The Maxwell home became symbolic of the religion’s reach into the West. The Maxwell house is the only Baha’i shrine situated outside of the Middle East.

Maziar Djoneidi, member of the shrine’s Board of Directors, explained that “the shrine is a space for spiritual refreshment, not just for Baha’is but for people of any religion, or no religion at all.”

They are open two days a week for visits, and receive up to 50 people per day in the summer. So as a McGill student, no matter your faith, or lack thereof, you are welcome at the Baha’i shrine of Montreal for a moment of peaceful reflection.

“It is open to anyone who wants a moment alone with a higher power,” Javaheri told me.

If you don’t want to make the effort to walk up des Pins, you can still learn more about or winter breaks, my plants don’t survive,” Lederer said.

Thankfully, certain plant species, such as succulents, are better adapted for students in these situations, especially for those who are away for long stretches.

“Plants that people like to use indoors include the spider plant since it is easy to grow,” Wees added. “Another one is the snake plant––it is very drought-tolerant, so you can forget to water it for months and it will survive. Finally, pothos is great for low light. One thing to look out for is that it’s not as drought-tolerant, so you need to water it at least once a week.” the faith on campus. Although it is not operating through SSMU as a student club, Baha’i students work with McGill’s Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and recently hosted both a panel on their faith and a visit to the Shrine.

Once you have purchased your plant, there are some final things to keep in mind. To ensure your new plant thrives, remember to not over-water it, which can lead to root rot. Also, when introducing a new plant to a room with existing plants, it’s a good idea to place it in quarantine to prevent the spread of bugs or parasites.

With all of this in mind, you’re ready to start your own plant oasis. Happy gardening!

If you want to visit the shrine, you can book your slot online. You can also contact the shrine at sanctuaire-shrine@bahai. ca, and, if you are interested in learning more about the McGill Baha’is’ activities, you can reach out to bvc.mcgill@gmail.com.