André Luiz Rosa (photo) was born into a Spiritist family in the Brazilian city of Rolândia, in Paraná state. He has a degree in Administration and Public Management and is the president of the Spiritist Centre Casa do Caminho in the city of Valinhos, in São Paulo state, where he has lived for 30 years.
André, who is the author of six Spiritist books, speaks in this interview about the Spiritist movement in Valinhos, focusing mainly on the Spiritist Week held every year. He also shares his experience as a well-known Spiritist speaker and makes a special request to all directors of Spiritist Centres.
Tell us first about your experience with the Spiritist Week of Valinhos.
The event was created with the aim of getting together all the Spiritist Centres of Valinhos and also of promoting the Spiritist Movement in the city. There was no record of such an event in Valinhos until the first Spiritist Week was held in 2002. We have just had the 16th edition of the event. It takes place every year at the end of September or beginning of October, according to the agenda of the speakers who agree to give talks or lectures.
How do you fund the event?
The Spiritist Centres of Valinhos share the costs of tickets and accommodation for the speakers and printing material for the event. Each Group may also offer books for raffles.
What has been the impact of this event along the years?
I believe that the Spiritist Week of Valinhos has become a feature in the city’s calendar and is eagerly awaited by most people. The period when it takes place provides people with the incentive to visit other Spiritist Centres and to meet old friends, which is often neglected because of our day-to-day obligations. There are also many people who are not Spiritists but attend the talks and lectures dealing with matters they are particularly interested in.
Tell us a bit more about the Spiritist Movement in the city.
The Spiritist Movement in Valinhos, like in many Brazilian cities, is based on the individual work carried out by each Spiritist Group. That is why it is so important to encourage joint activities, including those that take place outside the physical limits of Spiritist Centres. It is a hard work indeed, which requires much persistence, but that is something we have been doing.
What issues do you prefer to address in your talks and lectures?
I prefer to focus on the comforting aspect of the Teachings. Many people come to Spiritist Centres looking for a word of encouragement, reflecting about their daily lives and considering the possibility of happiness in the current situation. Those people will have a lot to gain from a light talk, mixing good sense of humour and sound theoretical Spiritist principles.
What is the most remarkable memory of your work in Spiritism?
I have many fond memories of my work in Spiritism along the years, from the evangelisation of children to taking part in the foundation of a Spiritist Centre. But the experience as a Spiritist speaker is special indeed. To be able to speak and to share with others all that I have studied is very rewarding. Publishing a book is also an unforgettable experience. In a country where people read very little and very little is published, it is gratifying indeed to be able to deliver a written book to the wider public.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would like to stress to directors of Spiritist Centres the importance of opening the doors and hearts to the new generations, who have been arriving at Spiritist Centres eager to work and contribute. It is necessary to open the doors for the dissemination of Spiritism inside and outside Spiritist Centres. If I could make a request, I would ask Spiritist directors to innovate, to renew, to open the doors of their Spiritist Centres for new speakers, from their own group and elsewhere. Encourage, surprise the public with new ways of showing Spiritism, but always remain faithful to the principles of Kardec.
