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Peace Education
Connecting with the Christian Legacy in Rome
Written by Giuseppi Cali, UPF-Italy
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Rome, Italy - During their time in the Eternal City, UPF International Chair Rev. Hyung Jin Moon and his wife Yeon Ah visited the churches of St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. John to connect with the 2,000-year legacy of Christianity.
After praying at the Vatican, Hyung Jin Moon addressed a gathering of 400 people at the "Better World" Catholic Center. In simple but effective terms, he talked about inheriting the true love of God and testified to the example of his father, Rev. Sun Myung Moon. Afterwards, he and his wife had their photos taken with each of the families present.
Also addressing the audience were Dr. Joon Ho Seuk, Vice President of UPF-Korea, and Dr. and Yong Cheol Song, Chair of UPF-Europe.
In visiting the sacred sites in Rome one is struck by the way painting, sculpture, and architecture are used to bring glory to God. To connect with the faith and love of Jesus, Hyung Jin Moon led a small group in climbing the Santa Scala, or "holy staircase," on their knees, a tradition of penitents expressing repentance for one's sins and seek God's forgiveness. It is said that these 28 marble stairs led to the prætorium of Pilate at Jerusalem and thus were sanctified by the footsteps of Jesus on his way to his trial. They were brought to Rome by Helena, mother of Constantine.
“When we feel pain," Hyung Jin Moon commented afterwards, "we understand what Jesus and people such as our parents gone through. So we understand that we cannot complain or stop because of this. If we don’t focus on the internal meaning, our body easily becomes the subject and we cannot continue. This a good training for mind and body unity and a test of the strength of our faith.”
During informal gatherings on August 24 and 25, he challenged Ambassadors for Peace to absorb the wisdom and learn from the highest standards of the religions of the world in order to bring the diverse peoples of the world together as one family under God.
Traveling with the group were Mrs. Yeon Ah Moon, widow of Hyung Jin's elder brother Hyo Jin; Dr. Thomas Walsh, President of UPF-International; and Mr. Taj Hamad, Secretary General of UPF-International. The previous days had been spent in Israel, visiting holy sites and leading a "Rally for Substantial Peace."
On the last evening the international guests visited the home of the Natale family and spent a very meaningful and joyful time together. As in other countries he has been visiting, Hyung Jin Moon wrote a calligraphy for the family.
From Rome, the party continued to other countries of Europe. Click to read reports from France, Germany, and England.
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