The Universal Worship was founded in 1921 by Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan, as an expression of the unity of religious ideals. It has, since then, been performed regularly in most of the major cities of the world, and has been a religious activity of the Sufi Movement, the Sufi Order and the Ruhaniat.
It is a beautiful service which acknowledges and invokes the light in all world religions. On one altar 6 candles are lit, each representing a major world religion (Hindu, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian and Islam) and another for all others known and unknown to the world. Scriptures from each of the religions are read according to the theme of the service. A short silent meditation and a talk are also included in the service.
Just as the performance of yoga exercises does not make one a Hindu, so participating in the Universal Worship does not rob anyone of their own religion. And if you are a humanist this service at least does not promote religious dogma, or opposition between religions. It is an expression of love, harmony and beauty, and is intended as a message of world peace.
But there are other even deeper aspects to this religious activity, which can also be seen as a ritual or a puja. It is this aspect that we emphasize when creating the Rituals for Life’s Passages. The Universal Worship, also known as the Church of All, provides ceremonies for weddings, baby blessings, house blessings and funeral services. Rituals for Life’s Passages brings these ceremonies to your home, or place of choice, and offers the blessings of the Universal Worship in your daily life.
Sufia was ordained in the Universal Worship in 1976. With her experienced associates, she has performed these ceremonies for over 30 years, conducting many weddings, house blessings, and baby blessings, as well as funerals and memorial services.
This invocation is said at the beginning of each ritual:
Toward the One, The perfection of Love, Harmony and Beauty, The Only Being, United with all the Illuminated Souls, Who form the embodiment of the Master, The Spirit of Guidance.
