Ascension of `Abdu'l-Bahá (Earth, Kingdom, soul, grace, eternal)

[arthra]

The ascension of `Abdu'l-Bahá (Abbas Effendi) is commemorated annually on November 28, the day he died in 1921 at the age of seventy-seven.

Baha'is will observe this commemoration at 1:00 AM which was the time of His passing. I had this event in my home now for a few years and it's a very special commemoration indeed.

The following is from a letter from the National Baha'i Archives in Wilmette, Illinois:

Letter from Haifa in the Time of Mourning, 1922
from Emogene Hoagg to Nelly French
by Emogene Hoagg

1922-01-02

a letter from the National Bahá'í Archives in Wilmette, Illinois

published in World Order 6:2 (Winter 1971-72), pp. 34-37



Introduction

THE ASCENSION OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA, on November 28, 1921, marked for Bahá'ís the end of the Heroic, the Apostolic Age of their Faith. From 1892, when He was appointed by Bahá'u'lláh as the Center of His Covenant, the sole Interpreter of His Writings, and the Perfect Exemplar of His Cause, 'Abdu'l-Bahá had guided the growing Bahá'í community with his loving counsels and letters and examples. His sudden removal did, to many, make the world seem as if it had "lost its axis." But it also galvanized the dedicated souls who had learned well the firmness in the Covenant which 'Abdu'l-Bahá had striven so earnestly to instill in the Bahá'ís. 'Abdu'l-Bahá Himself had departed this world, but His Writings remained and His Will and Testament provided continuing divine guidance in the Guardian of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, whom He appointed as His successor.

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(This prayer, revealed by `Abdu'l-Bahá, is read at His Shrine. It is also used in private prayer.)
2
Whoso recitheth this prayer with lowliness and fervor will bring gladness and joy to the heart of this Servant; it will be even as meeting Him face to face.
3 He is the All-Glorious!

4 O God, my God! Lowly and tearful, I raise my suppliant hands to Thee and cover my face in the dust of that Threshold of Thine, exalted above the knowledge of the learned, and the praise of all that glorify Thee. Graciously look upon Thy servant, humble and lowly at Thy door, with the glances of the eye of Thy mercy, and immerse him in the Ocean of Thine eternal grace.

5 Lord! He is a poor and lowly servant of Thine, enthralled and imploring Thee, captive in Thy hand, praying fervently to Thee, trusting in Thee, in tears before Thy face, calling to Thee and beseeching Thee, saying:

6 O Lord, my God! Give me Thy grace to serve Thy loved ones, strenghten me in my servitude to Thee, illumine my brow with the light of adoration in Thy court of holiness, and of prayer to Thy kingdom of grandeur. Help me to be selfless at the heavenly entrance of Thy gate, and aid me to be detached from all things within Thy holy precincts. Lord! Give me to drink from the chalice of selflessness; with its robe clothe me, and in its ocean immerse me. Make me as dust in the pathway of Thy loved ones, and grant that I may offer up my soul for the earth ennobled by the footsteps of Thy chosen ones in Thy path, O Lord of Glory in the Highest.

7 With this prayer doth Thy servant call Thee, at dawntide and in the night-season. Fulfill his heart's desire, O Lord! Illumine his heart, gladden his bosom, kindle his light, that he may serve Thy Cause and Thy servants.

8 Thou art the Bestower, the Pitiful, the Most Bountiful, the Gracious, the Merciful, the Compassionate.

- `Abdu'l-Bahá

A special Youtube is also about ABdul-baha and HIs passing:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VW7nf4hV5Ck

- Art

[arthra]

Here's another Youtube about Abdul-Baha:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_Q-b4Vos14&NR