Luzi Mary Paixão Silva (photo) has been a Spiritist since 1991. She was born in Nossa Senhora do Socorro and lives in Aracaju, both cities in the Brazilian state of Sergipe. She is a doctor and has worked as a volunteer at the Irmão Fêgo Spiritist Group for the past 26 years. This is the first Spiritist organisation in Sergipe, founded by Basílio Peralva in 1918. She is the Group’s current president and works in the areas of mediumship, study groups, and charity activities. And she dedicates special attention to Gospel studies for children and teenagers, as she explains in the following interview.

How did you become a Spiritist?

In 1967, aged 15, I was given as a present by my uncle, Antônio Garcez, The Spirits’ Book. That night, I read the book from cover to cover and was left with the impression that I already knew it. At the time there were few Spiritist Centres in our town and the meetings often took place in private homes. I put the book to the side but kept its contents with me. It was only in 1988 that I would come into contact with Spiritism again through my husband, Venâncio Almeida Sampaio, to whom I owe so much regarding my knowledge of the Teachings.

Tell us about the Spiritist Movement in the state of Sergipe.

The Sergipe Spiritist Federation, FEES, was founded in 1950 and had as its first president Elson Fontes. But it was only under the leadership of João Batista Cabral (1993 to 1999) that the Spiritism Movement became more dynamic in Sergipe, benefitting already from the technological development of that time. FEES is supported by most Spiritist institutions in the state and has made a concerted effort under the past few administrations to promote regional integration. It held for a decade the yearly Meeting of Spiritist Centres, which was organised like a fair, with books, talks, plays and other activities in a public space. It had very positive results, getting people and different organisations together. But it has been discontinued by the current administration of FEES.

What about the Spiritist Movement in the state capital, Aracaju?

Aracaju is a 163-year-old city with a population of 648.939 inhabitants. It is a beautiful, seaside tropical city which attracts many tourists. Its people are welcoming and friendly. Most of the population is Catholic and the number of Protestant evangelical churches has grown fast in recent times. Spiritism has attracted a growing number of people who are often going through pain and suffering. We have about 50 Spiritist Centres across the city, providing a number of activities, including mediumistic groups, study groups and Gospel studies for children and teenageers. FEES hosts a Spiritist Congress every three years. The next one will be from September 27th to 29th this year, with the theme, “Gospel, a Source of Enlightenment”.

What is the main media used for dissemination of Spiritism in the state of Sergipe?

As well as all the activities organised by each individual Spiritist Centre, we have radio programmes that reach the whole state and newspaper columns. But I think the social media are now the main tool for the dissemination of Spiritism in Sergipe.

From all your experience in the Spiritist Movement, which aspect draws your attention the most?

Those who attend the events and activities of Spiritist Groups are passive beings who are waiting for a leader to invite them to work. That leader will need to open the doors of the heart and reach that person with friendly hands, patience and good will so we can form a new worker for Christ.

Which aspects of Spiritism touch your heart and your rational side the most?

I believe that all aspects of Spiritism are important and are interconnected. But I think that the final goal of Spiritism is to shed light and help us understand the Teachings of Jesus. They are now clarified from a philosophical perspective, leading us to internalise and put these values into practice in our lives. That is the only way I can see towards the moral transformation of humans and humankind. Jesus will always be “The Pathway, the Truth and Life”.

What would like to share with our readers from your memories in the Spiritist Movement?

I would say to the beginners in the study and practice of Spiritism that they should not wait until they believe they are prepared to start working. There are so many people in need. Open your eyes and begin serving and helping at the first opportunity, bearing in mind that Jesus has delegated the task of carrying on his work not to the doctors, but to simple men, who would be able to change more easily.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

That Jesus is counting on our good will, faith in his Teachings and our firm belief in his immortality.