European Marriage Blessing Event in Bad Camberg, Germany

By Hildegard Piepenburg The four second generation couples Christian and Kathy Hausmann Spain, Italy and Venezuela. In the case entered as the officiators of the

1 5,000 couples from 65 nations of the two first generation couples from ceremony and Martin Alexy and received the marriage Blessing Slovakia and Hungary, the absent Yebony Hanna from the European from True Parents on the third partner was represented by a Second Generation Department anniversary of Foundation Day, photograph. While the couples had (ESGD) were the masters of ceremony. and amongst them were six couples their own program of lectures and who participated in the central event talks, the Neumuehle was filling up so with 3,000 couples in Gapyeong, Korea that by Saturday afternoon there were via live stream in the night from Friday about 100 invited guests - families and to Saturday. friends of the couples - ready for the big Blessing ceremony in the festively decorated hall. Chairs with white covers and large pink ribbons, white curtains and a stage draped in white, flower arrangements and matching decorations on the ceiling and walls - the usually somber seminar room had been transformed like Cinderella before the ball with the prince. Soft music played in the background, while the wedding guests waited in anticipation for the entrance of the bridal couples. There was a slight delay, because, after all, the brides’ dresses and hairdos had to be perfect for the big moment. And then they made their entrance, Karl-Christian greeted the couples and couple by couple as names and asserted that this was the happiest day countries of origin were announced, because they had found a mate with accompanied by the enthusiastic whom they were now embarking on a applause of the standing guests. Karl-

life-long journey that would lead right bond as man and wife. The officiators’ into the lap of God. He recalled True official proclamation of the Holy Father’s statement that true love can Marriage Blessing declared them to be only be God-centered love and couples blessed before Heavenly encouraged the couples to place God in Parents, True Parents and all mankind. the centre of all their relationships. Karl-Christian’s congratulatory address was both serious and informal. God needs us to fulfill his dream, and we need God to fulfill our dream. The kingdom of heaven does not come automatically by the wearing of wedding rings. Unity is only possible when we accept that God made man for for a festive banquet. the sake of woman and woman for the The evening began with a toast to the sake of man. The differences between couples with alcohol-free champagne. After the sexes are essential, because they a tasty salad entrée, the exquisite Korean were made as the object partners of buffet was opened, prepared by Setsuko love for each other. Sometimes it is also Wöllmer and her industrious kitchen staff. useful to read books such as ‘Why Men The splendid culinary experience was Don’t Listen and Women Can’t Read rounded off with desserts and coffee. Maps’, as did the whole Hausmann family once on holiday, which they Erika played pieces on the piano from found very amusing and informative. Haydn and Chopin and as the evening And also older couples from the Family slowly drew to a close and the many Federation and inspiration from daily contented guests made their way home, it Hoon Dok Hae with the words of True was clear that the first Blessing ceremony Parents provide important support. in Europe had been a resounding success. Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’, played by Erika Special thanks go to those responsible Kamura on the grand piano, reflected the in the ESGD as well as the Family joyful atmosphere after the Blessing, Department with Ana Schmidt, Sarah which ended with the cutting of a Zimmermann and Margaret Staudinger wonderful 4 -layered wedding cake. Now it who put this event together and have was time for photographs and set an excellent standard for many Three Holy Songs, led by three singers conversation over coffee, tea and cake future Blessings. Also, a big thanks to and sung by the whole congregation, while the big hall was being transformed Franz and Anne Sölva from the prepared the atmosphere for the Holy Neumuehle, and the many volunteers. Blessing ceremony. The couples were first sprinkled with Holy Water, to symbolize clarity and purity. Then the officiators read out the wedding vows, to which the couples resounded with a loud ‘yes!’ They pledged, “as virtuous men and women who will complete the original ideal of Heavenly Parent’s creation to become eternal husband and wife, to inherit the tradition established by the True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humankind, and to realize Cheon-Il Guk as ideal families”. The Blessing ceremony was followed by an exchange of rings to seal an eternal