664:"The sharing of local and national news and information about social events, as well as consultation on topics of general interest, such as the teaching work, service projects, the Fund, and so on, can take place as usual, while discussion of sensitive or problematic issues related to these or other topics can be set aside for another time when the friends can express themselves freely without being inhibited by the presence of visitors.
562:. Attendance is considered a spiritual responsibility, but is not obligatory. The meeting can vary in style between any two communities, but each must have the same format - a devotional portion, followed by a community consultation, followed by a period of socialization. Quite often there is food served, though this is not a requirement. The different portions should not regularly be given undue weight. However,
543:"In regard to the Nineteen Day feasts, Shoghi Effendi is of the opinion that the believers should be impressed with the importance of attending these gatherings which, in addition to their spiritual significance, constitute a vital medium for maintaining close and continued contact between the believers themselves, and also between them and the body of their elected representatives in the local community."
751:"Make ye an effort in every meeting that the Lord's Supper may become realised and the heavenly food descend. This heavenly food is knowledge, understanding, faith, assurance, love, affinity, kindness, purity of purpose, attraction of hearts and the union of souls ... When the meeting is conducted after this manner, then ʻAbdu'l-Bahá also is present in heart and soul, though His body may not be with you."
989:
47:
419:
523:"...The main purpose of the Nineteen Day Feasts is to enable individual believers to offer any suggestion to the Local Assembly which in its turn will pass it to the National Spiritual Assembly. The Local Assembly is, therefore, the proper medium through which local Baháʼí communities can communicate with body of the national representative..."
571:
The further away the friends keep from any set forms, the better, for they must realize that the Cause is absolutely universal, and what might seem beautiful addition to their mode of celebrating a Feast, etc., would perhaps fall on the ears of people of another country as unpleasant sound - - and
651:
Previously if a non-Baháʼí attended the Feast, guidance was given that the administrative part of the feast should be omitted, or the non-Baháʼí was asked to step outside of the room during the administrative portion of the feast. more recent guidance from the
Universal House of Justice has since
587:
The devotional portion is seen as a means to uplift the spiritual character of the community, and put the members in a spiritual frame of mind, for their own sakes, and so that this spiritual atmosphere may permeate their consultations. The devotional portion usually consists of the reading of
628:
Baháʼís are encouraged to consult on all important matters, and the
Nineteen Day Feast provides an opportunity to do so. The members also report news, or other salient items of interest to the community. This portion is also the primary outlet of communication between the community and its
492:
The
Nineteen Day Feast serves to increase the unity of the community, and spiritually uplift the community members by having a devotional program, where readings and prayers from the Baháʼí holy writings are shared, and a social program where community members can socialize.
605:...the Feast is opened with devotional readings, that is to say prayers and meditations, from the Writings of Baháʼu'lláh, the Báb and the Master. Following this passages may be read from other Tablets, from the Holy Scriptures of previous Dispensations...
657:"The House of Justice has decided that, in such instances, rather than eliminating the administrative portion completely or asking the visitors to withdraw, those conducting the programme can modify this part of the Feast to accommodate the guests.
537:
While attending the
Nineteen Day Feast is not obligatory, its importance is stressed since it allows for consultation between the individual members, the community and the Local Spiritual Assembly, as well as increasing the unity of the community.
683:
The social portion of the feast is normally accompanied by some refreshments although refreshments can be served at any point. It is the responsibility of the host to provide and personally serve something, even if this simply consists of water.
643:
The Feast is a critical arena for democratic expression within a Baháʼí Community. Baháʼís from other communities may freely attend, though they may not vote on any recommendations that the community may put forward as recommendations to the
498:"As to the Nineteen Day Feast, it rejoiceth mind and heart. If this feast be held in the proper fashion, the friends will, once in nineteen days, find themselves spiritually restored, and endued with a power that is not of this world."
746:, though only in the sense that it should provide fellowship and connection between the faithful, God, and each other. This communal sharing of commitment and memory is crucial to both Christian communion, and to the Baháʼí Feast.
513:
As an administrative meeting, the Feast provides an opportunity for the community to report news, or other salient items of interest to the community, and allows for communication and consultation between the community and the
488:
Baháʼís see the Feast in both practical and spiritual terms. It is both an administrative meeting, and at the same time it is an uplifting spiritual event, and thus it has a central purpose to the Baháʼí community life.
468:(and are often nineteen days apart from each other). Each gathering consists of a Devotional, Administrative, and Social part. The devotional part of the Nineteen Day Feast can be compared to Sunday Services in
709:
Attendance at the
Nineteen Day Feast is not obligatory, but is considered a duty and a privilege for Baháʼís since it is where they can enter into consultation with the rest of the community.
742:
as "The Lord's Supper", likening it to the Last Supper in
Christianity. In this sense, participation at Feast can be seen as slightly analogous to the Christian practice of
714:"Attendance at Nineteen Day Feasts is not Obligatory but very important, and every believer should consider it a duty and a privilege to present on such occasions."
1280:
374:
768:"And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me."
448:
1022:
1017:
104:
99:
576:
From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi
Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, July 20, 1946
1221:
945:
1285:
637:
379:
441:
1133:
998:
226:
589:
1342:
1174:
1102:
1032:
269:
188:
114:
905:
886:
847:
821:
640:, where people put aside prejudices and personal attitudes and rather fully explore the matters under consultation.
1227:
319:
1305:
1217:
1012:
434:
418:
314:
198:
94:
46:
1148:
241:
1322:
422:
30:
1107:
784:
193:
938:
1249:
341:
1112:
794:
610:
203:
1310:
404:
614:
1300:
1254:
1086:
480:; however, the Baháʼí Faith has no clergy nor is congregational prayer performed at these meetings.
399:
394:
346:
170:
860:
698:
645:
1290:
1007:
839:
Baháʼí World Faith—Selected
Writings of Baháʼu'lláh and ʻAbdu'l-Bahá (ʻAbdu'l-Bahá's Section Only)
672:
From a letter of the
Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies, May 17, 2009
384:
89:
1080:
164:
1179:
1138:
1037:
931:
593:
566:
cautioned against too many set forms, or allowing any particular cultural form to become rigid:
559:
465:
274:
231:
119:
858:
1295:
968:
389:
61:
1189:
284:
652:
allowed for the administrative portion of a feast to take place should a non-Baháʼí attend.
636:
During the administrative portion Baháʼís are asked to consult in a specific manner, termed
978:
833:
807:
755:
739:
502:
71:
1239:
1066:
954:
331:
150:
38:
8:
759:
1027:
109:
1169:
1117:
918:
876:
789:
633:, and recommendations to that body are often consulted upon in the Nineteen Day Feast.
630:
515:
264:
208:
1244:
336:
901:
882:
843:
817:
531:
to the
National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, November 18, 1933
506:
20:
837:
811:
1059:
464:
are regular community gatherings, occurring on the first day of each month of the
143:
1194:
289:
1164:
872:
719:
597:
563:
528:
259:
862:
Developing Distinctive Baháʼí Communities: Guidelines for Spiritual Assemblies
558:
The Feast should, if possible, begin on the first day of the new month of the
1336:
1264:
1073:
469:
356:
157:
859:
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of the United States (1998).
816:(Hardcover ed.). Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Baháʼí Publishing Trust.
1199:
294:
743:
1184:
1143:
279:
236:
477:
1232:
923:
324:
973:
596:. The arts, especially music, have been highly encouraged by
66:
1259:
988:
473:
351:
547:
Letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 22 December 1934
865:. Office of Assembly Development, Evanston, Illinois, USA.
505:: Selection from the Writings of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, p. 91
881:. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Baháʼí Publishing Trust.
842:. Baháʼí Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, USA.
1334:
832:
806:
16:Regular community gatherings in the Bahá'í Faith
701:to ensure that the Nineteen Day Feast is held.
939:
442:
813:Selections From the Writings of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá
722:to an individual believer, December 15, 1947
946:
932:
919:Related documents on Baháʼí Library Online
449:
435:
623:
871:
738:The Nineteen Day Feast is described by
1335:
927:
692:
582:
687:
13:
912:
758:: Baháʼí World Faith, pp. 407–408
14:
1354:
718:From letter written on behalf of
678:
527:From letter written on behalf of
987:
953:
417:
45:
733:
1:
800:
704:
898:The Holy Bible: 1611 Edition
772:King James Bible, Luke 22:19
728:
697:It is the responsibility of
553:
7:
778:
10:
1359:
1113:Universal House of Justice
795:Universal House of Justice
699:Local Spiritual Assemblies
611:Universal House of Justice
483:
204:Universal House of Justice
18:
1319:
1281:Socioeconomic development
1273:
1210:
1157:
1126:
1095:
1051:
996:
985:
961:
615:Hands of the Cause of God
476:, or Saturday Prayers in
375:Socioeconomic development
646:Local Spiritual Assembly
631:Local Spiritual Assembly
516:Local Spiritual Assembly
19:Not to be confused with
1103:Covenant of Baháʼu'lláh
1081:Some Answered Questions
189:Covenant of Baháʼu'lláh
165:Some Answered Questions
1286:Progressive revelation
624:Administrative Portion
592:and excerpts from the
380:Progressive revelation
1228:Shrine of Baháʼu'lláh
1190:Letters of the Living
900:(Thos. Nelson, 1993)
878:Baháʼí Administration
785:Baháʼí administration
320:Shrine of Baháʼu'lláh
285:Letters of the Living
1118:Spiritual Assemblies
1108:Administrative Order
472:, Friday Prayers in
209:Spiritual Assemblies
194:Administrative Order
638:Baháʼí consultation
609:From letter of the
462:Nineteen Day Feasts
1170:Hands of the Cause
1043:Nineteen Day Feast
790:Spiritual Assembly
693:Spiritual Assembly
583:Devotional Portion
265:Hands of the Cause
125:Nineteen Day Feast
1330:
1329:
1240:Shrine of the Báb
1023:Unity of religion
1018:Unity of humanity
617:, August 25, 1965
600:in this portion.
459:
458:
332:Shrine of the Báb
105:Unity of religion
100:Unity of humanity
21:Nineteen-Day Fast
1350:
1343:Bahá'í holy days
1218:House of Worship
1074:The Hidden Words
991:
948:
941:
934:
925:
924:
892:
866:
853:
827:
688:Responsibilities
451:
444:
437:
421:
315:House of Worship
199:The Guardianship
158:The Hidden Words
49:
26:
25:
1358:
1357:
1353:
1352:
1351:
1349:
1348:
1347:
1333:
1332:
1331:
1326:
1315:
1269:
1206:
1153:
1122:
1091:
1047:
992:
983:
962:Central figures
957:
952:
915:
913:Further reading
889:
873:Effendi, Shoghi
850:
824:
803:
781:
736:
731:
707:
695:
690:
681:
626:
594:Baháʼí writings
585:
560:Baháʼí calendar
556:
486:
466:Baháʼí calendar
455:
410:
409:
370:
362:
361:
310:
302:
301:
255:
247:
246:
222:
214:
213:
184:
176:
175:
138:
130:
129:
85:
77:
76:
57:
56:Central figures
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1356:
1346:
1345:
1328:
1327:
1320:
1317:
1316:
1314:
1313:
1308:
1303:
1298:
1293:
1288:
1283:
1277:
1275:
1271:
1270:
1268:
1267:
1262:
1257:
1252:
1247:
1242:
1237:
1236:
1235:
1225:
1214:
1212:
1208:
1207:
1205:
1204:
1203:
1202:
1197:
1192:
1182:
1177:
1172:
1167:
1165:Shoghi Effendi
1161:
1159:
1155:
1154:
1152:
1151:
1146:
1141:
1136:
1134:Baháʼí history
1130:
1128:
1124:
1123:
1121:
1120:
1115:
1110:
1105:
1099:
1097:
1093:
1092:
1090:
1089:
1084:
1077:
1070:
1063:
1055:
1053:
1049:
1048:
1046:
1045:
1040:
1035:
1030:
1025:
1020:
1015:
1010:
1004:
1002:
994:
993:
986:
984:
982:
981:
976:
971:
965:
963:
959:
958:
951:
950:
943:
936:
928:
922:
921:
914:
911:
910:
909:
894:
893:
887:
868:
867:
855:
854:
848:
829:
828:
822:
802:
799:
798:
797:
792:
787:
780:
777:
776:
775:
774:
773:
764:
763:
762:
761:
735:
732:
730:
727:
726:
725:
724:
723:
706:
703:
694:
691:
689:
686:
680:
679:Social Portion
677:
676:
675:
674:
673:
667:
666:
660:
659:
625:
622:
621:
620:
619:
618:
598:Shoghi Effendi
584:
581:
580:
579:
578:
577:
564:Shoghi Effendi
555:
552:
551:
550:
549:
548:
535:
534:
533:
532:
529:Shoghi Effendi
511:
510:
509:
508:
485:
482:
457:
456:
454:
453:
446:
439:
431:
428:
427:
426:
425:
412:
411:
408:
407:
402:
397:
392:
387:
382:
377:
371:
368:
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364:
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360:
359:
354:
349:
344:
339:
334:
329:
328:
327:
317:
311:
308:
307:
304:
303:
300:
299:
298:
297:
292:
287:
277:
272:
267:
262:
260:Shoghi Effendi
256:
253:
252:
249:
248:
245:
244:
239:
234:
229:
227:Baháʼí history
223:
220:
219:
216:
215:
212:
211:
206:
201:
196:
191:
185:
182:
181:
178:
177:
174:
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168:
161:
154:
147:
139:
136:
135:
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128:
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117:
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107:
102:
97:
92:
86:
83:
82:
79:
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69:
64:
58:
55:
54:
51:
50:
42:
41:
35:
34:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1355:
1344:
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1338:
1325:
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1309:
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1302:
1299:
1297:
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1234:
1231:
1230:
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1226:
1223:
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1216:
1215:
1213:
1209:
1201:
1198:
1196:
1193:
1191:
1188:
1187:
1186:
1183:
1181:
1180:Other Baháʼís
1178:
1176:
1173:
1171:
1168:
1166:
1163:
1162:
1160:
1156:
1150:
1147:
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1142:
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1135:
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1131:
1129:
1125:
1119:
1116:
1114:
1111:
1109:
1106:
1104:
1101:
1100:
1098:
1094:
1088:
1085:
1083:
1082:
1078:
1076:
1075:
1071:
1069:
1068:
1064:
1062:
1061:
1060:Kitáb-i-Aqdas
1057:
1056:
1054:
1052:Key scripture
1050:
1044:
1041:
1039:
1036:
1034:
1031:
1029:
1026:
1024:
1021:
1019:
1016:
1014:
1011:
1009:
1006:
1005:
1003:
1000:
995:
990:
980:
977:
975:
972:
970:
967:
966:
964:
960:
956:
949:
944:
942:
937:
935:
930:
929:
926:
920:
917:
916:
907:
906:0-8407-0028-8
903:
899:
896:
895:
890:
888:0-87743-166-3
884:
880:
879:
874:
870:
869:
864:
863:
857:
856:
851:
849:0-87743-043-8
845:
841:
840:
835:
831:
830:
825:
823:0-85398-081-0
819:
815:
814:
809:
805:
804:
796:
793:
791:
788:
786:
783:
782:
771:
770:
769:
766:
765:
760:
757:
754:
753:
752:
749:
748:
747:
745:
741:
721:
717:
716:
715:
712:
711:
710:
702:
700:
685:
671:
670:
669:
668:
665:
662:
661:
658:
655:
654:
653:
649:
647:
641:
639:
634:
632:
616:
612:
608:
607:
606:
603:
602:
601:
599:
595:
591:
575:
574:
573:
569:
568:
567:
565:
561:
546:
545:
544:
541:
540:
539:
530:
526:
525:
524:
521:
520:
519:
517:
507:
504:
501:
500:
499:
496:
495:
494:
490:
481:
479:
475:
471:
467:
463:
452:
447:
445:
440:
438:
433:
432:
430:
429:
424:
420:
416:
415:
414:
413:
406:
403:
401:
398:
396:
393:
391:
388:
386:
383:
381:
378:
376:
373:
372:
366:
365:
358:
355:
353:
350:
348:
345:
343:
340:
338:
335:
333:
330:
326:
323:
322:
321:
318:
316:
313:
312:
306:
305:
296:
293:
291:
288:
286:
283:
282:
281:
278:
276:
275:Other Baháʼís
273:
271:
268:
266:
263:
261:
258:
257:
251:
250:
243:
240:
238:
235:
233:
230:
228:
225:
224:
218:
217:
210:
207:
205:
202:
200:
197:
195:
192:
190:
187:
186:
180:
179:
172:
169:
167:
166:
162:
160:
159:
155:
153:
152:
148:
146:
145:
144:Kitáb-i-Aqdas
141:
140:
137:Key scripture
134:
133:
126:
123:
121:
118:
116:
113:
111:
108:
106:
103:
101:
98:
96:
93:
91:
88:
87:
81:
80:
73:
70:
68:
65:
63:
60:
59:
53:
52:
48:
44:
43:
40:
37:
36:
32:
28:
27:
22:
1321:
1274:Other topics
1250:World Centre
1195:Mullá Husayn
1096:Institutions
1079:
1072:
1067:Kitáb-i-Íqán
1065:
1058:
1042:
1013:Unity of God
979:ʻAbdu'l-Bahá
955:Baháʼí Faith
897:
877:
861:
838:
834:ʻAbdu'l-Bahá
812:
808:ʻAbdu'l-Bahá
767:
756:ʻAbdu'l-Bahá
750:
740:ʻAbdu'l-Bahá
737:
734:Christianity
720:The Guardian
713:
708:
696:
682:
663:
656:
650:
642:
635:
627:
604:
586:
570:
557:
542:
536:
522:
512:
503:ʻAbdu'l-Bahá
497:
491:
487:
470:Christianity
461:
460:
369:Other topics
342:World Centre
290:Mullá Husayn
183:Institutions
163:
156:
151:Kitáb-i-Íqán
149:
142:
124:
95:Unity of God
72:ʻAbdu'l-Bahá
39:Baháʼí Faith
1311:Orthography
1149:Persecution
1087:Other Texts
969:Baháʼu'lláh
572:vice versa.
405:Orthography
242:Persecution
171:Other Texts
62:Baháʼu'lláh
1306:Statistics
1301:Prophecies
1255:Pilgrimage
1245:Síyáh-Chál
801:References
705:Individual
400:Statistics
395:Prophecies
347:Pilgrimage
337:Síyáh-Chál
1291:Cosmology
1008:Teachings
744:Communion
729:Parallels
554:Structure
385:Cosmology
90:Teachings
1337:Category
1323:Category
1175:Apostles
1139:Timeline
1038:Calendar
997:Basics (
875:(1974).
836:(1976).
810:(1978).
779:See also
423:Category
270:Apostles
232:Timeline
120:Calendar
31:a series
29:Part of
1296:Symbols
1200:Táhirih
1127:History
999:outline
974:The Báb
613:to the
590:prayers
484:Purpose
478:Judaism
390:Symbols
295:Táhirih
221:History
67:The Báb
1233:Qiblih
1211:Places
1158:People
1144:Bábism
1033:Prayer
904:
885:
846:
820:
325:Qiblih
309:Places
254:People
237:Bábism
115:Prayer
84:Basics
33:on the
1260:Haifa
1185:Bábis
474:Islam
352:Haifa
280:Bábis
1265:Acre
1222:List
1028:Laws
902:ISBN
883:ISBN
844:ISBN
818:ISBN
357:Acre
110:Laws
1339::
648:.
518:.
1224:)
1220:(
1001:)
947:e
940:t
933:v
908:.
891:.
852:.
826:.
450:e
443:t
436:v
23:.
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