13 Years Since Father Moon’s Holy Ascension

Speech commemorating 13th anniversary of Father Moon’s passing: “Say it loud: 13 years have passed, but Father still lives in our hearts!”

Part 1 of a speech on 8th September 2025 by Doo Seung-yeon (두승연), newly appointed as Director of the World Mission Headquarters of the Family Federation. The message, delivered at a meeting for leaders and members gathered in Gapyeong, South Korea, was in commemoration of Father Moon on the 13th anniversary of his holy ascension (Seonghwa). Slightly edited unofficial translation of the original Korean.

See part 2 Heaven’s Work Fulfilled: Humanity’s Return to Eden

See part 3: Opening the Era of God Living with Humanity

See also The Event That Put Father Moon in the Spotlight

Because we meet often, I feel truly happy. I’m glad to see you.

Who would be the most blessed person in the world? […] I believe it is our True Father. In the spirit world, he is the one whom God loves the most. And on earth, isn’t Father the one whom True Mother cherished the most? That is why, whenever I saw Father, I always thought: he is truly the most blessed person in the world.

But already, it has been 13 years since his Seonghwa (holy ascension). I cannot forget that day. […]

It was 2012. It was Las Vegas, in July – it is an extremely hot month – the hottest month in Las Vegas. At that time, because Father overworked himself, he caught a very severe flu.

Mother, urging him to go to the hospital, even spoke to Father (in our terms) as if it might lead to his Seonghwa. Even though she spoke of his Seonghwa, Father felt that even the time it would take to go to the hospital was too precious, so he didn’t go. [Editor’s note: Father considered every moment for the providence too valuable to ‘waste’ on medical care.]

So then, who would be the second most blessed persons in the world? It is you. You are the beloved “children” whom Father cherished so deeply. Therefore, you too are the most blessed ones. Say a loud “Aju!” (Amen). This is not the time to hold back your “Aju” or your applause. [See editor’s note below]

Even with his weakened body, Father endured a long flight back to Korea. As soon as he arrived at the Cheon Jeong Temple [in Gapyeong, northeast of Seoul], he immediately went down to Yeosu [on the South coast] to offer his devotion through fishing.

Yeosu, where the river meets the sea – how strong the wind is there! Even though it was summer, Father’s flu grew worse. His body could not endure it, and Father collapsed. Thankfully, we were then able to take him to the hospital. Until that time, he absolutely refused to go, because he felt time was too precious.

In the hospital, he received treatment at first, but while there he longed to leave, saying:

“How can I afford to waste time lying in a hospital bed? There is so much to be done.”

He left, but his condition worsened, and he had to be hospitalized again. At that time, he lost consciousness. He spent one month at St. Mary’s Hospital, unconscious.

I witnessed something there. I saw how deeply Mother cherished and loved Father. No one loved and cared for him as much as Mother. That moment will never leave me.

At St. Mary’s Hospital, Father could do nothing with his body. Later, he was moved to the 8th floor of Cheongpyeong’s HJ International Hospital.

At his final moments, True Mother and all their children were there at his bedside. Though Father could not move at all, when Mother and the children sang songs of love to him, his finger trembled ever so slightly. It was almost nothing – but seeing it, I thought:

“With that faint movement, Father was saying, ‘Mother, I love you. Thank you for all your devotion!’”

And then, he left us. Even then, I did not feel as if Father had departed to the spirit world. Even now, though 13 years have passed since his Seonghwa, I cannot truly feel it – because Father is still alive in our hearts.

Isn’t that so? Father still lives in your hearts, doesn’t he? He is still working now, isn’t he?

I have already spoken for some time, but I have summarized into five points the meaning of what Father accomplished. I would like to share them with you.

Today is a meaningful day: the 13th Anniversary of the Cosmic Seonghwa (holy ascension) of the True Parent of Heaven, Earth, and Humankind – True Father.

In the world, death brings sorrow. But in our Family Federation, death in this earthly world means a new birth into the heavenly world. It is said that it should be celebrated even more than a bride’s wedding day. Therefore, I think that my speaking to you today about the meaning of True Father’s Seonghwa (holy ascension) is by no means something unfamiliar.

As we mark the 13th anniversary of True Father’s Seonghwa, before those who long for Father, feel sorrow over his Cosmic Seonghwa, and grieve, I – in speaking such words – might appear to be an unfilial son.

Father’s Cosmic Seonghwa is regarded not only by our blessed families but also by Heavenly Parent as a natural phenomenon in accordance with God’s principles of creation. So, let us reflect briefly on its meaning:

First, True Father, the Returning Messiah, together with the Only Begotten Daughter, the True Mother, became True Parents through their Holy Marriage.

Second, through the Blessing, he returns all humanity to the original Garden of Eden.

Third, he broke down the boundary between the spirit world and the physical world, uniting them as one.

Fourth, he proclaimed the Cheonil-guk era, where our Heavenly Parent and humankind live together as one family.

Fifth, he established the foundation for the age of Heavenly Parent’s direct dominion to actually begin.

Continued in part 2 Heaven’s Work Fulfilled: Humanity’s Return to Eden

See part 3: Opening the Era of God Living with Humanity

See also The Event That Put Father Moon in the Spotlight

Translated from the transcription of the original speech in Korean.

Featured image above: Rev. Doo Seung-yeon giving his speech 8th September 2025. Screenshot from live transmission by FFWPU

[Editor’s note: “Aju” (아주!) is mainly a new prayer conclusion. It is used instead of “Amen”. The expression was coined by Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han in 2006. “Aju” replaced the traditional “Amen” to signify not just affirmation of God’s power, but a pledge to fulfill God’s will through one’s own responsibility – a move away from simply asking God to act, toward actively committing oneself to act.]

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