The Blessing Offering is a big part of our tradition. It was standardized by True Parents in the amount of $2000, and is a personal monetary contribution of sincerity and responsibility when receiving the Holy Marriage Blessing.
Why’s this offering significant?
What’s it used for?
Why’s it important?
Well, the Blessing Offering means different things to different people. First and foremost, it’s a substantial condition to receive the Marriage Blessing, as well as all of its historic value for one’s family and lineage. One participant of the upcoming Marriage Blessing put it, “if people understood the value of the Blessing and could buy the Blessing, they would want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Spiritually, these funds belong to True Parents. Traditionally, a small portion of the fee will be used to cover the costs of the actual Blessing event, and the remainder is used only for the education and support of the families in our community.
Here are 4 ways the Blessing Offering can be significant.
1. Giving money is a sincere way to show gratitude and responsibility
A sincere monetary contribution shows that we are sincere and take responsibility for what we are contributing to.
True Father coined the term “5% human portion of responsibility.” We human beings all have freewill and responsibility, and so does Heavenly Parent. But He takes the majority of the responsibility and we take a smaller percentage. Heavenly Parent and True Parents do 95% of the work for us to receive the Blessing, and contributing the Blessing Offering is our 5% responsibility. When we go the rest of the way, we are giving back to Heavenly Parent, rather than just receiving.
2. It helps sponsor your local Blessing Ceremony
If you receive the Blessing in the U.S., a portion is given directly to the local community to sponsor an elegant and meaningful celebration for the local couples and guests. For example, this year the New Hope Family Church in Maryland will host a large Blessing Ceremony for 150 people on March 2nd.
3. It helps cover your expenses while in Korea for the Blessing
If you’re going to Korea for the Blessing, a portion is used to help cover your expenses while in Korea, from a fantastic Blessing Ceremony to transportation to mountain resort lodging to Korean meals to sightseeing.
4. It funds programs that support families and couples
The remainder is used exclusively to support families by funding the projects, programs and services of the BFM, nationally and locally. Some of these projects you may have heard of, including Matching/Blessing educational workshops, development of Matching support resources, Parents Matching Seminars, 24+ Connect retreats for singles, Getting Back On Track ministry and retreats, educational curricula for local communities, BFM website and promotion, and more.
