About the Blessing Marriage (Mass Wedding)
I also received the Blessing Marriage (Mass Wedding). This was back in 200X. Here, I would like to describe the process leading up to the Blessing Marriage. If there are any differences from the Blessing process experienced by senior members from the early days of the Unification Church or by young people today, then there is value in sharing my own case.
How does it feel to marry someone chosen by someone else?
Before entering the main topic.
There may be readers of this article who are not members of the Family Federation, and I can certainly understand the question, "What is it like to marry someone chosen by someone else?" Here, I would like to state my personal view.
I personally think of it as something like an arranged marriage, or rather, I consider it completely an arranged marriage. It is nothing more and nothing less than that. I apologize for being such a cold person.
However, there is a merit to going through the church, which is the guarantee that the partner holds the same values that I hold dear. In other words, we share from the beginning the values of "keeping purity, not committing adultery, and cherishing the family." If I were to look for a marriage partner on my own, I would have to start by confirming whether the other person holds such values, and I would also need to have the discernment to do so. Therefore, this merit was very grateful to me.
Now, let's enter the main topic.
Before moving toward the Blessing
It started when I was a university student. I had been skipping church for several years, and then, prompted by my mother, I began attending only the Sunday services at church (unofficially). I received a letter from a second-generation woman I had interacted with during my high school days. She said she had received the Blessing with a Korean person. The content was asking if I would also like to receive the Blessing.
Although I had been skipping church, I had been thinking that if I were to get married, it would be through the Blessing Marriage, so I thought, "Well, maybe I'll give it a try." However, at that time, I might not have fully realized the true meaning of getting married (such as taking responsibility). But as things progressed, I gradually began to realize it.
At that time, I was not affiliated with any particular church and was in a state of limbo. I found a nearby church, obtained the cooperation of the church back in my hometown to join it, and submitted my photo.
Interaction
After a while, I was contacted by the church asking, "How about this person?" and was shown the partner's photo. My impression when I saw the face was just "Oh, I see." I checked the profile written on the back. Foreign nationality. Moreover, although I cannot disclose it here, it is a country with strict religious activities.
At that time, I had no awareness at all, but as time passed, I gradually came to know that marrying someone from a country with restrictions on religion requires considerable resolve.
At this point, the engagement is not yet finalized. Since I cannot tell anything just from a photo or profile, I will start by trying to call the partner. But wait. I'm a little worried because if I call, it feels like things will proceed smoothly from there.
While I was hesitating like that, the partner called me first. I was nervous, but the other person was also nervous. However, I thought they seemed like a good person.
I decided to travel to confirm what kind of person they were. I was treated very well locally. Also, it was good that we were able to talk quite frankly. Since it was a critical moment for the two of us to decide whether to get married or not, I think we were able to ask about important things we needed to confirm without hesitation. And so, we agreed to accept the marriage and started our journey home.
Blessing Ceremony (Mass Wedding)
When you hear "Mass Wedding," you might have an image of many pairs of brides and grooms gathered together, but in my case, I participated alone. I brought the partner's photo with me. This is because, due to the country's circumstances, it is not easy to leave the country. The procedures necessary for the Blessing (in terms of the church) were carried out again locally at a later date. And then, I finished the marriage procedures (administratively) just like that.
Advice to those who follow
This concludes my experience with the Blessing Marriage.
Based on that, I would like to offer the following advice. Since I am a man, this might be advice for men. I think this applies not only to the Blessing Marriage but also to marriage in general in the world.
Taking the step into marriage actually requires courage. But if you are hesitating, why not start by interacting and trying to understand the other person? If you don't start, you will eventually get older.
Once you decide to get married, be optimistic. Keep moving forward. If you don't know how to proceed, your partner will help you and support you.
That is precisely why you must have resolve when deciding to marry. Half-hearted resolve is rude to the partner (I have actually seen such examples). For those who think, "I suppose I have to get married eventually...", it is better to make up your mind quickly.