The First Anniversary of the Universal Seonghwa of Sun Myung Moon, the True Parent of Heaven, Earth and Humankind

The First Anniversary of the Universal Seonghwa of Sun Myung Moon, the True Parent of Heaven, Earth and Humankind Memorial Service was held 7.17 by the Heavenly Calender in the 1st year of Cheon Il Guk (August 23, 2013) at 10:00 am at the Cheongshim Peace World Center, with about 25,000 blessed members from all around the world in attendance.

One year after True Father’s Universal Seonghwa, the Memorial was a chance to take a look back at the 93 years of his life course and accomplishments, and members from 194 nations around the world participated by simultaneous internet broadcast.

With Dr. Chang-shik Yang, Chairman of the Unification Movement in Korea serving as MC, the first part of the Memorial Service began with the entrance of the True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Mankind, presentation of floral tributes to True Father, ceremonial bows, the singing of the Cheon Il Guk anthem, a report prayer by Bishop George Stallings, presentations of floral tributes by members of the True Family and representatives of various fields, a video presentation on True Father’s life and accomplishments, a memorial address, memorial poetry reading, the presentation of the Cheon Il Guk constitution and white papers, and a Video message from True Parents.

In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Yang said, “Today, on the anniversary of True Father’s Seonghwa, let us express our thanks to True Father, who invested his whole life as a peace loving global citizen for the sake of the liberation of Heavenly Parents, and the salvation of mankind, and to build lasting peace in this world, and let us take our True Father’s life as an example, and make a determination to live our lives the same way.”

<Dr. Chang-shik Yang, Chairman of the Unification Movement in Korea, as MC>

As part of the service floral tributes were offered by 2nd and 3rd generation members of the True Family, representatives of the five great saints and other leaders in the spiritual world, Hoon Mo nim, participants from the ILC leadership conference, Korean and continental regional leaders, leaders of providential organizations, UPF leaders and Ambassadors for Peace, members of the Moon clan, National Messiahs, representative Blessed families, public officials, and senior Japanese leaders.

Following that, a video presentation entitled “True Father, whom we long for even in our dreams” showed the life course and accomplishments of True Father through the 93 years of his life on the earth. Through the video, the many diverse fields which were influenced by True Father’s work could be seen, as well as how he devoted his entire energy to accomplish as much as he could throughout his life.

In his memorial message, Chul-seung Lee, Chairman of the Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation, said, "Among the 7 billion people in the world today, you are lucky, because you have had the opportunity to be taught directly by Rev. Moon, and also to receive his very special love directly. It is my hope that you very special people can take Rev. Moon's dream and his desire, and with your dedication and devotion, sow them on the earth 1000 times, 10,000 times so they can bear great fruit.

I also ask that you keep a heart of gratitude and respect for Mrs. Hak Ja Han Moon, who remains here with us, dedicating herself, despite her lonely heart, having been left behind, to completing the work that her husband began.

Today with this meaningful anniversary of Rev. Moon's Seonghwa, I hope you will go beyond your own selfish interests, become more grateful and more united behind Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. We must not forget that the eyes of the world are watching us to see if we can practice the teachings left by Rev. Moon.

<Chul-seung Lee, Chairman, Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation, offers a memorial message>

In the second memorial message, the Venerable Seong Ta, Head Monk of Bulguk Temple, told the assembled crowd, "Rev. Moon lived a life of difficult persecution and heavy hearted life with many ups and downs that the world did not know about. But the reason we respect and remember him is not only that he faced indescribable difficulties and was able to emerge victorious like a phoenix.

It is because, like the brilliant sun which lurks behind the rain and black clouds, throughout his life, he brightened the world with his great philosophy of life, quietly walking heaven's path of true love, giving and giving, and forgetting that he had given, and then giving again. It is because, like the sun which is always present, even among the dark clouds, he always showed a life of hope." Then he read a verse from the poem, "His Silence" by Manhae Yong-woon Han, to complete his memorial message:

I carried the unfathomable power of sadness, and poured inside the new cup of hope

We meet and we worry that we will say "Good-bye," but we say "Good-bye" believing that we will meet again.

Oh, you have gone, but I have not let you go.

The song of love that surrenders to my voice, embraces your silence.

The final memorial message was delivered by The Honorable Jose de Venicia, Jr., former Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, who said, "Over the past few days, in the International Leadership Conference, we have been studying about the thought, the life, the work and the legacy of Father Moon. We have learned so much, and we have each developed a greater appreciation for this man of God, who with single-minded dedication, devoted every moment of his life to his mission, not only proclaiming, but actually practicing the principle of living for the sake of others.

As we go forward from this day let us keep the vision, the memory, the work and the heart of Father Moon close to our own hearts. Our greatest living testimony of our appreciation to Father Moon will be that we continue to carry on with the work he called each of us to do.

Let us never, never falter in our resolve, for we are gathered here not only to remember and to mourn. Our task is to carry on with Mother Moon. Our task is to strive until the good fight is won. Yes, peace is difficult, but it is achievable. Together, you and I, we can make it happen. Yes, peace among nations, peace in the hearts of men.

After the memorial messages were finished, a reading of memorial poetry was offered. First, a video presentation of the poem "Crown of Glory" written by True Father was shown, followed by a poem dedicated to True Father, "A Letter to Father" was recited by actress Hye-seon Jeong.

A Letter to Father

Beloved True Father! One year has passed since your ascension.

The intensity of your life began even before your birth.

The cries for Korea's independence on the 1st of March in 1919 marked the conception of your life, heralding a thorny path that would be filled with tribulations, adversity and hardship.

True Father's life and youthful days were filled with extreme hardships Knowing that the Heavenly Parent was compelled to guide you on that path, We're blinded by the tears that well up from our heart.

On the day you were released from Heungnam prison, you could have chosen to visit Chungmonim, who was nearby, yet, because of true love, you departed North Korea carrying your disciple on your back, who had broken his leg.

On this lonely path you followed the will of God's providence, and whenever you went beyond the pass of Golgotha, you beat down and pushed back your tears. We cannot fathom the blood and tears that you shed in your heart.

At the rally to save the nation held at Yoido, Your determined roar towards the millions gathered there was strong, And silently you wept after reading letters from missionaries Who were in prisons in communist nations, "Father, may your precious body be preserved. I will see you again in the other world."

"America must awake!" so you cried, in the land of freedom, At the Kremlin, you prayed for the end of Communism And while even embracing Kim Il Sung, You wielded an iron rod towards the nations, Yet to us you were always a passionate and affectionate Father.

Last year, as Autumn was falling upon us The sad news that you had ascended left all of us dumbfounded.

Before ascending to the Heavenly Nation, you gazed at True Mother's face, as if to engrave her image in your heart.

And you sat across from True Mother at a table for two.

Your last outing was your visit to Osan school, a mirror of your hometown.

You went around Cheon Jeong Gung sustained by an oxygen tank saying your last farewell.

When I think about your prayer, when you proclaimed, "It is all accomplished!" Tears well up in my eyes and my heart aches thinking about it.

Father, no matter how many times I call you, I still want to call you again. Father, I miss you dearly.

You are the light of my life, you were like an ever expanding ocean to me.

Father, when you suddenly ascended to the Heavenly Nation, We assumed that True Mother would be the most grieved, and yet, She was the first to raise the torch of true love.

With Foundation Day approaching, she raised her voice and commanded, "There is no stopping!"

"We shall advance. Invest yourself completely with a life or death resolution. You must do your best with all your heart."

She raised high the torch of love.

Father, you spent each day like a thousand years as you waited for Foundation Day.

Yet one day you let go of our hands and ascended to the Heavenly Nation and opened the gates to the kingdom of heaven.

True Mother is now taking the lead and guiding us on the path to heaven, Which you had shown to us.

We, too, shall follow True Parents in this way.

We shall live a life so that when we conclude our life on earth and rise to heaven, we too can proudly say, "We have accomplished everything."

We know that you will always be there for us in the Heavenly Nation, And we shall attend True Mother on earth and We will do our best to fulfill Vision 2020.

Presented on the 17th day of the 7th month by the Heavenly Calendar in the 1st year of Cheon Il Guk by Hye-seon Jeong, representing members from around the world.

Next, the Cheon Il Guk constitution, which form one lasting central pillar of Cheon Il Guk, along with a White Paper outlining the movement's worldwide public assets were presented by Dr. Peter Hyo-yul Kim and Tongil Foundation Chairman No Hi Pak.

After the presentations were finished, a video was shown, containing compiled excerpts of True Mother’s speeches over the past year.

After the video, True Mother took the stage to deliver her message in person, “Distinguished guests, to all of you who offered memorial remarks that moved our hearts and that brought us together, I would like to convey my gratitude, and all Blessed families and members around the world, today we have become one. And even now, I feel Father is looking at us with a big, beautiful smile and asks you, “Have you all been doing well?”

Loving Peace Ambassadors, members, right now, at this very time, we have become one in heart and mind. As we commemorate the accomplishments of True Father, who gave us these great teachings, we made a determination that we will realize True Parents’ will at any cost.

Centered on this memorial Seonghwa event, Korea and Japan have become one. From August 3, a peace march set off from Hokkaido, crossing through all of Japan and crossing to Busan, then continuing all the way to Im Jin Gak, traveling by bicycle, with the hope of realizing a peaceful reunification.

Our conditions and dedication should not end at Im Jin Gak. They should continue on, past Baekdu Mountain, pass through all of Asia and move on to the whole world, to realize a free and peaceful world, the kingdom of heaven on earth. Let us advance until we achieve the kingdom of heaven on earth.

On this very good day, with all the distinguished guests, and all the beloved members and Blessed families, True Father is living in our hearts.

Let us all become one with him, and realize Heavenly Parents’ and True Parents’ will on earth while we are still alive. We will become filial children who do so. We will become loyal subjects who do so. It is my hope that this time becomes a time for you to make such a determination, everyone!”

With the conclusion of True Mother's message, part one of the program was finished, and the event continued with entertainment in part two.

The first section of the entertainment was performed by several of the True Grandchildren along with the Cheon Il Eum choir from Cheon Bok Gung church, singing several songs that True Parents enjoy, including "Thinking of Elder Brother," "The Windflower," and "Edelweis," along with entertaining choreography.

Next, Gloria del Paraguay offered a solo rendition of "El Adagio de Albinoni."

The third part of the entertainment was the Japanese Seonhak Choir, sang a medley of Hyoshim, Furusato and Shiawase in beautiful harmony.

The fourth section of the entertainment was a musical entitled Crown of Glory. The production include 30 minutes of highlights from a full length musical Crown of Glory that was performed in 2012 for the opening of the Cheongshim Peace World Center, portraying episodes from True Father's life. The musical, which showed True Father's true love, and his suffering on behalf of humankind, True Mother as the mother of all humankind, and messages from True Father given from the spirit world, and gave everyone a meaningful message of hope.

After the musical was finished, the entire cast came to the stage and sang Choguk Changa, which True Parents had enjoyed singing, and then joined together with all the 25,000 people in the hall in singing Ommaya, Nunaya. During the song, True Mother also came up to the stage and sang along with a video of True Father singing Ommaya, Nunaya.

Finally, after Rev. Yong-cheon Song, Chairman of the Unification Movement in Japan led three cheers of Og Mansei, the The First Anniversary of the Universal Seonghwa of Sun Myung Moon, the True Parent of Heaven, Earth and Humankind Memorial Service concluded.