Loving myself

In preparation for World Youth Day 2027, all Catholic churches in South Korea are eagerly gearing up for the event. Among the various programs being organized, counseling for young people stands out as particularly significant. This is due to the alarming fact that Korea holds the dubious distinction of having the highest suicide rate worldwide.

Recognizing the importance of preventing such tragedies, the Jeon Jin Sang Spirituality Center, a psycho-spiritual counseling center, is offering valuable assistance in this regard. The core message behind these counseling efforts is centered around the idea of learning to love oneself as one is. This fundamental principle is explored in depth in the spiritual classic "Loving Yourself for God's Sake," penned by Adolfo Quezada and published by Resurrection Press back in 1997.

This guide, known for its gentle, simple, and concise approach, emphasizes loving oneself not out of selfish motives, but rather through the lens of God's love, recognizing the self as a precious gift from the Divine. The Korean translation of this influential book first hit the shelves in 2003 and has since remained a bestseller among Pauline publications.

Adolfo Quezada, the author, was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1940. He was raised and educated in Arizona, earning a B.A. in political science, an M.A. in journalism, and an M.A. in counseling. Quezada dedicated his life to spiritual writing and has since retired as a professional in the field.