Bahá’í Community Life/Introduction

Bahá’í Community Life

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Introduction

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a Bahá’í is living in a community with other Bahá’ís. Living near other Bahá’ís, however, does not guarantee the development of a sense of community. “A firmly-founded, busy and happy community life develops only when Bahá’ís work together to become the leaves of one branch and the waves of one sea.”¹

1. Nineteen Day Feast

In every community Bahá’ís gather at specific times for prayers, consultation, and fellowship. These gatherings are called Nineteen Day Feasts because they are held once every nineteen days. Each Bahá’í month is nineteen days long, and the Feast is usually held on the first day of the month. Since the Bahá’í day begins at sunset, the Feast may be observed anytime after sunset. For example, a Feast being held on the calendar day of October 16 may be observed anytime ‎betweeen between‎ sunset October 15 and sunset October 16.

The Feast is the heart of Bahá’í community life. It is a time when Bahá’ís come together to pray and read from the Writings; to discuss their plans, activities, and problems; and to enjoy each other’s company.

The Feast has three parts. The first consists of prayer and meditation. During this section Bahá’í prayers and passages from the Bahá’í Writings are read. The Writings may also be set to music. One may sing a prayer instead of reading it. Other reverent music may also be played during this portion of the Feast. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says Bahá’ís should “invoke God with perfect joy and fragrance, [and] sing the verses, glorifications and praises of the Self-Subsistent Lord. . . .”²