(Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), 1290-05-15 [1873-Jul-11] -- BH00001)
The Nineteen Day Feast
Nineteen-Day Feast
Editorial introduction
Once in every month, Bahá’u’lláh commands, offer a feast, though only water be served, for God’s purpose is to bind hearts together. The whole institution grows from that sentence. Tea alone will do, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá adds; what matters is that the friends gather in love, turn their faces to the Kingdom, speak of the teachings and leave spiritually restored, endued with a power not of this world. He wants them to empty their hearts of everything but God before they walk in, and the Báb’s rhythm of nineteen days makes the renewal a habit rather than an event. Devotion, consultation and simple friendship are meant to deepen one another at one table, and preparing the programme, the room and the welcome is itself a service. Paul’s rebuke of a Corinthian meal at which the poor were shamed while others feasted asks the question any such gathering must face: how does it treat the people actually present [1]? From here the path leads toward spiritual and devotional gatherings, toward the fellowship of the friends, and toward the Holy Days of the Bahá’í calendar.
Selected passages
Several days previously a question was asked about the nineteen day Feast and the Master said in answer:-
It is better to hold these Feasts in the homes, but in case of necessity, hold them in the hall. Have food according to the ability of the host. Even tea alone is sufficient. If the food is cooked, then it is better to have tables for seating the people. If the food is not cooked, it may be passed.
It is a Spiritual Feast. It is no harm to have a little friendly interchange before and after the Feast.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Aseyeh Allen spoken in May 1907 -- ABU1635)
If possible have a general meeting every nineteen days even though it be to partake of only water and bread.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to MacNutts et al around Jan. 1905 -- ABU0191)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1908-May-12, to Marie A Watson -- AB10951)
The feast (supper) [every nineteen days] is very acceptable and will finally produce good results. The beloved and the maid-servants of the Merciful must inaugurate the feast in such wise as to resurrect the feast of the ancients--namely, the "lord's supper." The attracted maid-servant of God, Mrs..., I hope will be inspired so she may become the means of unity among the friends in every city. That meeting for feast for which thou wert preparing and providing, should recur every so often, so that it may prove a means of attracting the confirmation of the Kingdom of ABHA.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-Jun-05, to Bernard Jacobsen -- AB00587)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1921-Jan-19, to Baha'is of Bournemouth, England -- AB03158)
It is the Nineteen Day Feast. A group of faithful friends and radiant leaves are gathered in supplication to the Abha Kingdom. All blessings are present and prepared, and the table is infinitely pleasing.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1912-Oct-16, to Haji Mirza Haydar Ali Isfahani -- AB00285)
1st question: - What is the real meaning of the 19 days feast, spiritual and material?
Answer: "Nineteen days are according to 19 'Letters of the Living' which is composed of the Bab and 18 others. The aim of this Feast is that at every 19 days the believers of God may gather together; engage in mentioning 'Him Whom God shall manifest' - Baha'u'llah - and be reminded of the Testament and the Covenant. Its material meaning is every person or number of persons who are able, may arise to serve the believers of God and spread before them spiritual and material food".
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Rue St. Didier 30 in Paris, 1913-Feb-07 -- ABU3071)
'Abdu'l-Baha: "A group should come together every nineteen days. It is not optional, it is incumbent on them. In every, city they, should do this. … The purpose of the Feast is this-to enkindle the spirit of love and friendship, and that the friends should gather once every nineteen days."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Latimer, Esslemont, Randall et al, spoken on 1919-Nov-20 -- ABU0392)
I beg of God, out of His endless bounties, that many such gatherings will be held, and that the Nineteen Day festivity will also be observed, so that men and women believers will occupy themselves with making mention of God, and praising and glorifying Him, and guiding the people aright.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911-May-23, to Schweizer, Anna Maria et al -- AB04915)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906-Jul-14, to Mary J Macnutt -- AB10091)
Hold the Nineteen Day Feast with utmost glory.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1913-Sep-23, to Anna Kostlin -- AB09344)
You must continue to keep the Nineteen-day Feast. It is very important---very good. But when you present yourselves in the meetings, before entering them, free yourselves from all that you have in your hearts;--free your thoughts and minds from all else save God and speak from the heart--that all may make this a gathering of love;--make it the cause of illumination;-make it a gathering of attracted hearts; surround it with the lights of the Supreme Concourse. Thus may you be gathered together in the utmost love.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken throughout the day on 1912-Jun-08 in Philadelphia -- ABU0003)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1910-Jan-07, to Mirza Abu'l-Qasim Gulistanih -- AB00696)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-Jan-19, to Charles Mason Remey -- AB04716)
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
The Nineteen Day festivity is of the utmost importance that the friends should gather at a meeting where, in complete attunement and love, they should engage in the remembrance of God and His praise, and converse as to the glad tidings of God, and proofs of the Advent of Baha'u'llah, and should recount the high deeds and sacrifices of the lovers of God in Persia, and tell of the martyrs' detachment from the world, and their ecstasy, and of how the believers there stood by one another and gave up everything they had. The Nineteen Day Feast is therefore very important.
AB07508
Concerning the nature of the Nineteen Day Feast: In the "Aqdas", Baha'u'llah has clearly revealed the spiritual and social character of this institution. Its administrative significance, however, has been stressed by the Guardian in direct response to the growing needs of the Baha'i community in this formative period of the Baha'i Era for better training in the principles and practice of Baha'i administration.
COC#939 (29 Jul. 1935 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
The World Order of Baha'u'llah encompasses all units of human society; integrates the spiritual, administrative and social processes of life; and canalizes human expression in its varied forms towards the construction of a new civilization. The Nineteen Day Feast embraces all these aspects at the very base of society. Functioning in the village, the town, the city, it is an institution of which all the people of Baha are members. It is intended to promote unity, ensure progress, and foster joy....
M86-01 69.2ff, COC.419-422, Ruhi2.2.5 (27 Aug. 1989 from the Universal House of Justice)
Baha'is should regard this Feast as the very heart of their spiritual activity, their participation in the mystery of the Holy Utterance, their steadfast unity one with another in a universality raised high above the limitations of race, class, nationality, sect, and personality, and their privilege of contributing to the power of the Cause in the realm of collective action.
(Principles of Bahai Administration, p. 52)
Continue exploring
For thought and discussion
Questions to carry forward
- What makes hospitality rich when the material offering is simple?
- How might devotion, consultation, and friendship deepen one another within the same gathering?
- What preparations would help every participant feel both welcome and able to contribute?
- What changes in relationships or service might reveal that a Feast has fulfilled its purpose?