Moon Sun Myung, True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humankind, Universal Seonghwa Ceremony

Dae Mo Nim
September 15, 2012

On the 7.29 by the Heavenly Calendar (September 15) the 'Moon Sun Myung, True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humankind, Universal Seonghwa Ceremony' was held magnificently at the CheongShim Peace World Center. The Seonghwa Ceremony was held 13 days after the seonghwa of True Father on 7.17 by the heavenly calendar (September 3). Around 35,000 people gathered at CheongShim Peace World Center and around the Chung Pyung Holy Ground. Attending members gathered very early at the CheongShim Peace World Center which was decorated with over 30,000 flowers.

The Universal Seonghwa Ceremony began with Dr. Joon-ho Seuk Executive Committee Chairman (President, Unification Church Korea) as the MC. A live footage of True Father's holy body being transported from the Cheon Jeong Gung Museum to the CheongShim Peace World Center was on display for people to watch. The Seonghwa car with holy body of True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humankind was lead by Rev. Hyung-jin Moon, Chairman, Seonghwa Committee (International President, Unification Church) and Mr. Kook-jin Moon, Chairman, Tongil Group and then followed by True Mother and the other members of the True Family. It was very hard and members wept when they saw True Mother walking behind True Father's holy body with a worn out face.

The holy body of True Father departed Cheon Jeong Gung Museum at 9:20 am and arrived at the Seonghwa Ceremony Venue, CheongShim Peace World Center, at 10:00 am. An escort of 40 2nd generation couples first entered then True Father's coffin was carried by military-styled honor guards to the Seonghwa altar. Then the Universal Seonghwa Ceremony began. After the opening of the ceremony and the singing the Cheon Il Guk anthem, Dr. Bo-hi Pak, Chairman, Korean Cultural Foundation offered a report prayer. Many of the attending members couldn't hold in their tears after praying with Dr. Pak's report prayer.

Then, Mr. Kook-jin Moon and his wife did the floral tribute as a representative of the True Family. Then there was a 15 minute video presentation of True Father's life and achievements. At the beginning of the video, it showed true mother sitting next to True Father who had just seonghwaed and said, 'Father, thank you for everything. I love you father' and then kissed True Father's forehead. Then it showed the achievements of True Father and projects that he had pushed over the years as well as detailed introduction to the mission that Father had as the Founder of Unification Church. Through the video members were able to understand how much Father had loved, worried and even thought precious of the humankind.

After the video presentation a Seonghwa Address was given by Rev. Hyung-jin Moon. In his speech, he expressed gratitude towards True Father's achievements and even though he had gone to the spirit world that he will determine to push forward God's will.

Eulogies were offered by Mr. Dong-suk Kang, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Expo 2012, Yeosu, Korea, Lord Tarsem King, House of Lords, United Kingdom, and H.E. Alfred Moisiu, former President of Albania in respective order. Mr. Kang said, 'Moon Sun Myung, True Parents of Heaven, Earth, and Humankind, held high pride as a Korean, focused on filial duty by loving the nation, and always talked that the foundation of world peace lies in the happiness of a family and harmony between neighbors. We all know well that Father achieved many to fulfill his words. Among many things, he especially realized the importance of deep love for one's land and the pacific and I'm truly grateful that he highly appraised the '2012 Yeosu Expo' which was held in Yeosu from May to August. Even if father's body is not with us now, his soul and teachings will always be with us. Father, please watch over us from heaven so that we could successfully achieve and inherit all your life achievements and develop even greater. You are a great Korean and our leader who loves the world. Please live forever in your nation in heaven.'

After the eulogies, there was a song of praise by Korea-Japan United Chorus lead by Prof. Miran Kim. The choir consisted 340 vocalists, Ye-ju Wu, a violinist, 40 orchestra players and sang 'AMOR DEI' and 'Song of Garden' which is a holy song that True Parents often sang. The song was sang beautiful and moved many members hearts who filled the center.

After the song, True Mother offered a floral tribute which was then followed by the members of the true family, the 5 great saints, representatives of 2nd generation blessed families and other leaders of organizations.

Rev. Yeong-seob Song, Chairman, Unification Movement in Japan, offered the three cheers of eok-mansei and all the members shouted 'Thank you very much! We love you!' and True Mother exited the center. All the participants quickly got outside and lined along the road up to the Cheon Jeong Gung Museum and said their last goodbyes to True Father.

The Universal Seonghwa Ceremony was held in a great scale and many offered sincere devotion, love and blessing. All the members were able to come closer to True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humankind and made a strong determination to uphold the high standard and fulfill the Will.