How did you
become a Spiritist?
It was around
1946, influenced
by my father,
who was a very
dedicated and
active
Spiritist.
How did you
develop your
links with the
União e Caridade
Spiritist
Centre?
I began
attending first
the youth group
meetings and
later I began
attending the
other regular
activities
offered by the
organization.
What influence
did the great
Spiritist
pioneer, Cairbar
Schutel, had in
your life as a
Spiritist?
I always felt in
tune with the
personality and
work of that
great Spiritist,
who published so
many important
books. Cairbar
was also a great
speaker and
healer, working
in spiritual
attachment, or
obsession. He
was a very
capable
practical
Spiritist
worker.
What is in your
opinion the most
important aspect
of your work in
the Spiritist
Movement?
It was when I
began the
process of
learning and
understanding
about Spiritist
practice. My
father always
used to pray for
me to have the
opportunity to
learn how to
work to help
other people
through
Spiritism.
What is your
assessment of
the Spiritist
Movement in
Brazil now?
I am optimist
about current
efforts to
improve the
Spiritist
Movement, but I
am worried about
the lack of
information and
knowledge in
many Spiritist
organisations
and among their
members.
Of all your
memories in your
Spiritist
activities, what
would you say
strikes as a
memorable
event?
It was the day I
could for the
first time walk
into the rooms
of the
União e Caridade
Spiritist Centre
in Taubaté,
after the
construction
work was
finished and the
doors were
opened. That is
when the
organization was
able to offer
its services
regularly to the
public.
How do you feel
now, aged 95,
taking into
account all the
knowledge and
experiences you
have gathered as
a Spiritist?
I am happy
because I have
been able to
realize in this
existence my
dream of working
to help other
people. I was
happy too
because I
achieved the
goal of building
the building
where the
União e Caridade
Spiritist Centre
is today. It was
something that
demanded
sacrifice and
dedication, but
I am happy to
see how many
activities and
services the
Spiritist Centre
offers to the
public.
Your final
words.
I thank you for
the opportunity
to do this
interview.
Editor’s Note:
Maria Judith
Santos de Mello,
daughter of our
interviewee,
played and
important role
in organizing
and putting this
interview
together.
