Campus Ministry

By Crystal Caruana Sullivan, Executive Director of Campus Ministry

Members of the University of Dayton community celebrate important religious holidays and cultural celebrations that span many different faith and cultural traditions. Beginning the evening of Feb 24 through Feb 28, 2021 members of the Baha’i tradition celebrate Ayyám-i-Há, or “Days of Ha,” These days are devoted to spiritual preparation for the month long fast, Alá that follows. These days are festive times in the community, characterized by hospitality, charity, service and gift-giving. They are celebrated during the four or five days before the last month of the Baha’i year (which follows a lunar calendar).  During Alá, the period of fasting, Baha’is are obligated to suspend consumption of food and water from sunrise to sunset for 19 days.  The period of fasting ends with the celebration of Naw-Ruz on Mar 20 or 21.  Members of the UD community are invited to be conscious of those fasting during this time and can refer to UD’s practices for religious accommodation for suggestions on how to support one another or ask for support.  To understand more about the Baha’i tradition, please visit  www.bahai.org.