AMY SZPARA

PHOTOS: Clockwise from left, Diane Broussard, Genevieve Jones, Kenneth Broussard and Bob Ancker say prayers and listen to a historical account of the martyrdom of the Báb, a Baháí prophet, Monday at Jones’ home. Monday was a Holy Day for the believers. Below, the Shrine of Báb.(Staff Photo by Amy Szpara) LAPLACE – Worshipping is not limited to churches with memberships in the hundreds, and one local group is proof that a congregation of a handful can make up a small community of believers. The Baháí Community in LaPlace celebrated a Holy Day Monday as the members commemorated the martyrdom of the Báb. The Baháí faith, which originated in Persia, modern-day Iran, began in 1844 and means “followers of the light.” A religion that focuses on uniting family and all races and teaching equality between the sexes, Baháí practitioners believe all religions are valid and all religions believe in the same supreme being. Founded by Baháullá, the religion is recognized as an independent world religion, and Monday Baháí believers around the world observed a Holy Day reserved for paying homage to a prophet who was killed for his beliefs. In LaPlace, Genevieve Jones opened her home for the commemoration, and she and other believers prayed and listened to a program that told the history of the Báb. According to Diane Broussard of LaPlace, the Báb was a prophet who prepared the way for Baháullá, much as John the Baptist did for Jesus Christ. The Báb was killed by a firing squad for his teachings at a time when most Persians were Muslim and the Baháí population was growing, said Broussard. The Shah ordered the execution in the public square and the prophet and another follower were sentenced to death as an example of what would happen to the dedicated. “As he was consulting others, giving his final directions to his followers to one man, they said that it was time for him to go,” said Broussard. “He said, Try if you like, but I cant go now. He wasnt finished talking with the person.” The executors strung him from ropes, along with another follower, and the firing squad opened fire. After the smoke cleared, the ropes were found severed from the bullets. The man hanging with him was found, but the Báb was missing, according to Broussard. “They found him back in his cell,” said Broussard. “He was finishing his conversation. He said, Im finished now. You may kill me.” After the initial firing squad refused to open fire again, another was sought, and the Báb was executed. Broussard, whose mother, Joan Ancker, owns Joans Day Care in LaPlace, meets with other believers regularly either at Joans or in someones home. Her father, Bob Ancker, chose the Baháí religion after what Broussard calls his “religion shopping.” “No one is born into it. You have to be an investigator and want to belong,” she said. The Báb Holy Day was a day for the believers to commemorate the sacrifice of the prophet and say prayers.