True Love

Asking St. Thomas Aquinas About the Path to Happiness. A philosophy professor at the Catholic University in Korea gives the readers his answers in the Catholic Times. His answer is that happiness is attained through Love, the mother of All Virtues.

True love must not remain merely an internal change but must manifest in outward actions. "True Love" Conveyed Through the Holy Spirit: A Spiritual Friendship Between God and Humanity Inspires joy, peace, and mercy; leads to the practice of good deeds and charity

In modern society, love is often dismissed as a mere personal emotion or a fleeting passion. However, in his *Summa Theologica*, Thomas Aquinas defines true love (*caritas*) not as a simple passion or a moral obligation, but as a supernatural virtue and habit (*habitus*) infused into the human soul through the Holy Spirit. This is something that cannot be attained through human nature’s power alone; rather, it is a spiritual friendship (*amicitia*) between God and humanity, established when God imparts His own true happiness to human beings.

Aquinas clearly distinguishes true love from *eros*—a natural desire—and emphasizes that "true love is friendship, but with the added distinction of being friendship directed toward God, the most precious and cherished of all beings" Ultimately, true love is a participation in the divine essence that transcends human effort; it is a gift of *communicatio*—a sharing of life—between God and humanity.

Furthermore, Aquinas emphasizes that true love is the "mother of all virtues" and the "form of all virtues". Any moral act lacking true love fails to reach the ultimate human goal: union with God. Such an act is merely a "false likeness of virtue" and, strictly speaking, carries the risk of degenerating into vice (II-II, 23, 7).

However, Aquinas does not stop at this theoretical systematization; he also analyzes the concrete effects that the virtue of true love has on a person's inner self and outward actions. Through this analysis, we can discover valuable guidance on how individuals in a fragmented modern society can restore true peace and communal bonds.

Aquinas identifies joy (*gaudium*) as the primary effect that true love produces within the human soul. This delight is the result that arises when the good one loves is present.

In modern society, many people suffer from constant anxiety and depression because they base their happiness on mutable goods, such as material achievements or the recognition of others. However, Thomas explains that because the goodness of God—the object of true love—never changes, the spiritual delight derived from it becomes a steadfast joy, unshaken by any external circumstances.

Meaning of the East in the Liturgy

 

The Korean Times gives us the reason Catholic churches, in history, have often been built facing East.

"The East is a symbol of light and a symbol of Christ—the sun rising anew in history." 

We use the term "orientation" to describe the training that helps newcomers—whether at school or work—adjust to their new environment. But did you know that this word was originally widely used in the context of church architecture?

"Orientation" derives from the word "Orient" (meaning East) and originally signifies the act of determining direction. In church architecture, the practice of positioning the church's central axis—where the altar is located—to face East is referred to as "orientation."

So, why were churches built to face East? This is because praying toward the East has long been a tradition of the Church.

The tradition of facing East while praying can be traced back to records from as early as the 2nd century. Throughout history, various Church Fathers and saints have taught about the significance of this practice. Saint Thomas Aquinas, in his *Summa Theologica*, summarized the meaning of this tradition into three points. For one thing, the rising of the sun in the east serves as a sign revealing God’s majesty. Another reason lies in the biblical record, which states that the Garden of Eden—the paradise created by God—was located in the east.

Above all, the east symbolizes the direction in which we await the return of Christ. Jesus taught, "For just as lightning comes from the east and is seen as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man" (Matthew 24:27).  Pope Benedict XVI also explained the significance of the east during his 2010 Easter Vigil homily, stating, "The east is a symbol of light, and a symbol of Christ—the sun rising anew in history."

The tradition of orienting churches toward the east became particularly prominent during the Middle Ages. Famous cathedrals built in that era, such as Notre-Dame de Paris and Cologne Cathedral, positioned their apses—where the altars are located—to face the sunrise. In some cases, the altar's orientation was determined by precisely calculating the point of sunrise on the feast day of the church's patron saint; for instance, at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Austria, the sun rises along the cathedral's central axis on December 26, the feast of its patron, Saint Stephen.

Of course, not all churches face east. Major basilicas like St. Peters and the Lateran have altars facing west, and many other churches are oriented away from the east due to factors such as topography, road layouts, or the location of a saint's tomb. Modern church architecture also employs various orientations based on a range of considerations. This is because the symbolism of praying toward Jesus is what matters, not the east itself.

In this way, the concept of "orientation"—originally referring to facing east—has expanded in meaning today to encompass the act of setting a direction before undertaking any task. The Apostle Paul teaches us, "You are God’s temple" (1 Corinthians 3:17).

As we greet the sun rising in the east each morning, why not "orient" ourselves—as temples of God—so that the direction of our day is set toward Jesus, who is the Light?

Camino de Santiago

In an Era of Declining Religiosity, Why Do Young People Seek the Camino de Santiago? This was the question the Korean Catholic Times asked its readers.

Encounters, reflection, and spiritual experiences along the path serve as a bridge to the Gospel... The Seoul World Youth Day (WYD) could also become an invitation to a pilgrimage of life.

Despite the trend of young people drifting away from organized religion, the Camino de Santiago in Spain continues to draw them. Even as their sense of religious affiliation wanes, these young people seek to reflect on themselves and discover the meaning of life and inner fulfillment through the pilgrimage. 

While an increasing number of young people are distancing themselves from religion, the Camino de Santiago in Spain continues to attract them. A weakening sense of religious affiliation does not mean the yearning to reflect on one’s life and find meaning and inner fulfillment has vanished. The phenomenon of the Camino demonstrates that "pilgrimage" can serve as a point of connection between the Church and young people in this era of declining religiosity. This aligns with the potential held by the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day (WYD).

According to a survey by Gallup Korea, the proportion of religious individuals among those in their twenties fell by 8 percentage points over a decade, dropping from 32% in 2015 to 24% in 2025. During the same period, the number of Korean church members in their twenties also dropped by 30.1%, falling from 771,251 to 539,482.

In contrast to the trend of young people drifting away from religion, the number of pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago is rising. The number of Koreans visiting the pilgrimage route more than doubled from 4,073 in 2015 to 8,224 in 2019. Even after the pandemic, the figure has remained steady at between 7,500 and 8,200 annually. This represents the highest number not only in Asia but also among non-Christian nations. The fact that approximately half of all pilgrims are aged 45 or younger suggests that the route remains an attractive destination for the younger generation.

Notably, the motivations of Korean pilgrims reveal a pursuit of inner and spiritual fulfillment, even when religion is not the primary driver. A study by Ko Jin-hyun and Gu Won-il titled "A Study on the Tourism Motivation and Travel Behavior of Walkers on the Camino de Santiago" which surveyed 368 Korean pilgrims, identified "self-reflection" as the leading motivation for the journey. Other research findings also indicate that Korean pilgrims who set out without religious intent often experienced spiritual moments during their pilgrimage.

One pilgrim, who completed the 713-kilometer Camino de Santiago this year, said, "I had always wanted to walk it someday, and I decided to do so for the sake of my health." He added, "Although I am not religious, the sense of spiritual fulfillment I felt while entering cathedrals alongside other pilgrims was a truly transcendent experience." 

Father Hong Sa-young (Paul), in charge of youth and pilgrimage pastoral care for the Archdiocese of Seoul, stated, “The pilgrimage path is a journey where one is naturally invited to the Gospel while enjoying the road and meeting people, without anyone explicitly telling them to ‘believe.’” He added, “Even young people with no religious affiliation encounter Jesus indirectly as they come across numerous Christian symbols and acts of goodness and mercy along the way.”

This is precisely where the Camino de Santiago and World Youth Day (WYD) intersect. WYD is not merely a gathering for young people who already possess faith; it is a “pilgrimage” where young people from diverse backgrounds meet, walk together, and reflect on their lives and faith. In particular, the Seoul WYD—held in a region with a non-Christian cultural background—offers an opportunity for young people who are distant from religion to encounter the Gospel through experiences of meeting, companionship, and reflection.

The decision by the Seoul Archdiocese Youth Department’s WYD promotional team to visit the Camino de Santiago in August and invite pilgrims from around the world to the Seoul WYD also carries the significance of linking these two pilgrimages.

The head of the promotional team, said, “We refer to the young people coming to WYD as ‘pilgrims’ rather than just participants,” adding that “[the team’s activities] demonstrated that the Camino pilgrimage and our pilgrimage are not separate journeys, but are connected.”

He also noted, “Pilgrims often say that the true pilgrimage begins only after arriving at Santiago,” expressing his hope that “the Seoul WYD will also serve as a process leading young people toward a true pilgrimage—a pilgrimage of life.”

Protestant Response to the Climate Crisis

Protestant Community Responds to Climate Crisis: Planting Trees in Mongolia. This was reported in the Catholic Times.

In August 2025, members of Seoul Central Methodist Church planted trees at the "Korean Church Forest" in Töv Province, Mongolia. 

The Protestant community has made responding to the climate crisis a priority and is conducting environmental mission activities to create forests in areas of Mongolia affected by desertification.

Mongolia is one of the countries most severely affected by climate change. While the global average temperature has risen by 1.2°C, Mongolia’s average temperature has increased by 2.22°C, and desertification is underway across 78% of its territory. Additionally, approximately 50% of the permafrost—ground that remains below 0°C for two or more consecutive years—has disappeared over the past 40 years. These environmental changes impact not only Mongolia but also the climate and the risk of infectious disease spread across Asia, including the Korean Peninsula.

Amid intensifying climate disasters such as heatwaves and abnormally high temperatures, the Protestant organization "Tomorrow Planted by Trees" is collaborating with various churches, businesses, and citizens to carry out forest creation and community support projects in Asian regions suffering from desertification. 

Established in 2024, the organization creates "Forests of the Korean Church" in Mongolia and supports climate refugees displaced from their homes by extreme weather and natural disasters. In addition to providing forest and ecosystem services through afforestation, the group carries out community support activities to help local residents rebuild their livelihoods.

In its inaugural year, the organization established the "First Forest of the Korean Church" in Bayankhangai Soum, Tuv Province, Mongolia, covering 10 hectares (approximately 30,000 pyeong) and comprising 4,000 trees. Currently, it is developing the "Second Forest of the Korean Church" in  Selenge Province, spanning 12 hectares (approximately 36,000 pyeong).

. Liberation Day Address by Korean President Lee

The Address of the  Korean  President Lee at the ceremony marking the 81st Liberation Day on the 15th. Blue House Press Corps News. Reported by the Korean Peace Weekly.

Marking the 81st anniversary of Liberation Day, President Lee Jae-myung proposed, "Let us begin discussions among the concerned parties to end this very long-standing war."

In his address at the 81st Liberation Day ceremony held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul on the 15th, President Lee stated, "We will embark on a journey to end the war and transform the unstable armistice regime on the Korean Peninsula into a peace regime." He added, "Through this process, we can also discuss effective measures to halt the advancement of North Korea's nuclear capabilities."

This follows his Liberation Day address last year, in which he outlined principles regarding North Korea—respecting its system, eschewing unification by absorption, and refraining from hostile acts—and marks a shift toward presenting a concrete blueprint this year.

President Lee emphasized, "The Republic of Korea's prosperity cannot be achieved through economic growth alone; it must be underpinned by a stable and peaceful global order."

He then presented three key pillars for this blueprint: inclusive peaceful coexistence, stable peaceful coexistence, and responsible, peaceful coexistence. "Inclusive peaceful coexistence" entails the two Koreas respecting each other, ceasing unnecessary confrontation, and gradually reducing hostility across perceptions, norms, and institutions. President Lee stated, "I hope the two Koreas will sit down together for peaceful coexistence and shared growth," adding, "This will mark the starting point for coexistence, not merely a concession."

"Stable, peaceful coexistence" involves taking proactive, sustained measures to advance peace, based on a comprehensive review of the security landscape surrounding the Korean Peninsula. President Lee pledged, "I will elicit a positive response from the North to build a stable Korean Peninsula."

"Responsible, peaceful coexistence" is a vision in which peace on the Korean Peninsula fosters stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia and serves as a milestone toward a nuclear-free world. To this end, President Lee proposed, "Let us set aside mutual threats and begin discussions among the parties concerned to bring an end to the war."

A Peaceful World Free of Nuclear Weapons

Abbot Park Hyun-dong: “Halt Nuclear Power Expansion and Pursue a Just Energy Transition” is the statement from the CBCK Committee for Ecology and Environment. “Towards a Peaceful World Free of Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Power Plants”

The Abbot Chairman of the CBCK Committee for Ecology and Environment issued a statement dated August 15 titled “Towards a Peaceful World Free of Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Power Plants.” He emphasized, “We must reject nuclear weapons, which threaten human survival, and halt plans to construct new nuclear power plants as well as attempts to extend the operational lifespan of existing ones.”

Referring to the visit made in late June by the Korea-Japan Nuclear-Free Peace Pilgrimage Group to the Hapcheon Atomic Bomb Victims Welfare Center—where they met with domestic victims of the atomic bombings and their descendants—Abbot Park stated, “These individuals have endured layers of suffering, including colonial rule, forced mobilization, the aftereffects of radiation exposure from the atomic bombings, poverty, and social discrimination.” He added, “Nuclear weapons and nuclear power raise common ethical questions regarding the long-term risks posed by radioactive materials, the irreversibility of the damage caused, and the fact that the impact is concentrated on specific regions and future generations.” 

Regarding the government’s announcement to proceed with plans to build two new nuclear power plants and one small modular reactor (SMR), Abbot Park pointed out, “Although two rounds of public forums and opinion polls were conducted, one cannot help but ask whether the public was provided with balanced information—covering site selection, construction costs, transmission grid conflicts, accident risks, and alternative scenarios centered on renewable energy—and whether a sufficient process of social deliberation took place.”

Noting that only about 31 countries worldwide operate commercial nuclear power plants, Abbot Park emphasized the need to shift the energy system toward a focus on renewable energy. He added, “To move toward a new world centered on life, we must choose a path that achieves global peace—encompassing humanity and the countless lives within our ecosystem.” He further stated, “The Catholic Church in Korea will join in prayer and solidarity on the journey toward a peaceful world free of nuclear weapons, a just energy transition, and a society free from nuclear power.”

Peace School and Peace Forum

The Catholic Northeast Asia Peace Research Institute of the Diocese of Uijeongbu is organizing the "Youth Ahn Jung-geun Peace School" and the "International Youth Ahn Jung-geun Peace Forum." These programs aim to explore the challenges regarding peace facing the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, drawing upon the life and philosophy of the patriot Ahn Jung-geun (Thomas).

The basic lectures will cover topics such as nonviolent communication and peace empathy, the geopolitical situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula and peace in East Asia, Ahn Jung-geun’s theory of "Oriental Peace," the division of Korea and the Armistice Agreement, and the case of German reunification. Lecturers will include former Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon and Peace Studies Professor Lee Dae-hoon.

The overseas study tour will include visits to Port Arthur (Lüshun) and sites related to the Russo-Japanese War, the suspected burial site of Ahn Jung-geun’s remains, Zhaolin Park (formerly Harbin Park), and Harbin Station—the site of Ahn’s historic act of patriotism. 

The "International Youth Ahn Jung-geun Peace Forum" will be held on November 7–8 at the Center for National Reconciliation in Paju, under the Diocese of Uijeongbu. The forum will provide an opportunity to share visions for peace in Northeast Asia from the perspective of young people and will feature comprehensive discussions involving participants, experts, and citizens, as well as the drafting of a peace declaration. Participants who complete the entire program will be issued a certificate of completion for the peace education course.

The institute stated, “This journey will be more than just an educational program; it will be a valuable learning process where young people grow into agents of peace and experience international solidarity.” They added, “We hope young people will come together to envision and build—within today’s reality—the ‘East Asian Peace Community’ based on cooperation and coexistence that the patriot Ahn Jung-geun dreamed of.”