Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāminn iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Devotees at ISKCON Fredericton, in New Brunswick, Canada offer our most sincere and humble obeisances at the lotus feet of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda on his 2026 Vyāsa-pūjā day.
It is impossible for us to find the appropriate words to thank you properly for what you taught us, the example you set for us, and the wonderful ISKCON organization you created for us. We can only try, in our humble ways, to honor you and attempt to follow your perfect example of sharing Kṛṣṇa consciousness with those we meet.
As Canadians, we are fond of reading accounts of your visits to our country, particularly during the summer of 1968, when you spent several weeks in Montreal. You celebrated ISKCON’s second Janmāṣṭamī festival there, and it is a glorious memory, not only for those who were in Montreal at the time, but for those of us who have read accounts of that wonderful event.
Our 2025 Ratha-yātrā festival was a historic milestone for New Brunswick, drawing a record-breaking crowd of over 600 participants. While celebrating this success, we felt a deep calling to cultivate more committed practitioners. This inspired the launch of Spiritual Sparks, a dedicated youth preaching initiative. To provide a solid foundation, we have implemented a disciplined daily sādhana that includes:
- Morning: 30 minutes of japa followed by 15 minutes reading your books together.
- Evening: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam class.
- Weekly: In-depth Bhagavad-gītā study sessions.
Additionally, our Kirtan Concert was a grand success, attracting 250 people and serving as a powerful outreach tool. This event allowed many new souls to chant the holy names for the first time and significantly broadened our community footprint.
The Gopal Krishna Children’s School has undergone a professional transformation to become more interactive and structured. We currently have 23 enthusiastic children enrolled, all eager to learn the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Our curriculum now integrates multimedia storytelling and hands-on Vaiṣṇava arts, ensuring that the philosophy is accessible and engaging. We have also introduced a merit-based system to encourage memorization of verses and the development of devotional character.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, our vision for the coming year is bold. We are currently working to move our Ratha-yātrā downtown, bringing the Lord of the universe to the very heart of Fredericton’s public eye. We also continue to draw immense inspiration from your disciple, Bhaktimārga Swami and the steady support of our sister temples in Halifax, Montreal, and Toronto.
We beg for your blessings and empowerment so that we may remain sincere in our efforts to expand this movement and bring the peace of Kṛṣṇa consciousness to every town and village in New Brunswick.
But it is you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, who continue to be the driving force that allows ISKCON Fredericton to grow and succeed. Devotees here and around the world are inspired by your books, your recorded lectures, and the legacy you have gifted everyone in the movement you created. Your love of Kṛṣṇa and unbelievable achievements inspire us to do our best to expand your movement. It is our wish that in some small way we can continue to be servants of the servants of the servants of you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, and of Kṛṣṇa!
On September 1, 1896, you arrived on Kṛṣṇa’s earthly planet. Well over a hundred years later, your disciples and devotees are honored to continue building on the foundation you created and serve you as best we can in your mission to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness to every town and village.
Your insignificant servants at ISKCON Fredericton