A Spiritist since 1997, Joana d´Arc da Silva Camargo was born in Arceburgo, in the state of Minas Gerais, but lives in the city of Mocaca, in the state of São Paulo, where she works as an accountant. In this interview she speaks about the Spiritist Movement in Mococa and her role as vice-president of the Bezerra de Menezes Spiritist Centre.

Tell us about the Spiritist Movement in Mococa.

Mococa is a relatively small city, with about 70,000 inhabitants, which lies near the limit with the south of Minas Gerais state. Mococa has a very limited Spiritist Movement (much to my “annoyance”), as the city still feels the effects of the old politics controlled by a few powerful people who controlled most of the population. They have made Catholicism into the core religion of the city and unfortunately some priests still openly condemn other religious denominations.

When and by whom was the Spiritist Centre you are linked with founded?

The Núcleo Espírita Bezerra de Menezes was founded on July 13^th1987 by Júlio César Cilino, Sílvia Lilian Delduca Cilino and Sirene Marche Moraes, who are still active members of the Spiritist Centres. There were other founding members who have left the group but are still in the Spiritist Movement elsewhere.

What is your assessment of the presence in the city of the Spiritist radio network (Rede Boa Nova de Rádio) and the television network (TV Mundo Maior)?

Rede Boa Nova de Rádio broadcast to Mococa between 2009 and 2017 on short wave and on a local radio. It delivered important enlightening information about Spiritism to those who didn’t know much about it and those who have preconceived ideas. We now only have access to the radio and to the Mundo Maior TV network through the Internet.

Which aspect of the history of Spiritism in Mococa strikes you the most and why?

The perseverance of all of those who really embrace Spiritism is the aspect that strikes me the most. When I look at the prejudices that we still sometimes face, I can only imagine what the Spiritists from this city had to deal with 70 or 80 years ago. This only shows the greatness and truth contained in Spiritism.

What personal memories do you have of your work in the Spiritist Movement?

I have good memories of my activities in Spiritism, from my first days attending the meetings, as a child, alongside my mother. My mother used to sit at the table to do her work in Spiritism and as I was very attached to her, I would sit under the table, on her feet, and grabbed her legs. That was the only way I felt secure. I also record many years later, as an adult, when I gave out soup to people in need. Sometimes I worked hard, doing that from 7h00 to 13h00 and didn’t feel tired!

What else can you say about the city of Mococa, so close to the state of Minas Gerais?

I think that Mococa is a bit like a lost world, a place that has stopped in time. The neighbouring cities, including some that are much smaller than Mococa, have a much more active Spiritist Movment. On the other hand, I love this land. And by being so close to Minas Gerais, I’m closer to my origins, for which I have much gratitude and love.

Is there anything else you would like to add about your experience in the Spiritist Movement?

Yes, there are many remarkable events in my life in Spiritism, like something that happened last year when I went to visit my friends Ismael and Joana from the Spiritist Movement in the city of Guaxupé, in Minas Gerais. I received through a medium a message from my father. I “didn’t meet” him as he committed suicide 52 years ago. In everything I do in my life, I try to be guided by what these blessed Teachings have brought to me and continue to bring. Despite some limitations I have at a personal level, I am very happy to be able to work for the Teachings that I have embraced. Peace and light to everyone!