We understand that Chico fits into each of these qualities - kindness, benevolence, simplicity of heart, love of neighbor and detachment from material things - reaching the maximum of its manifestation, always concerned to help the most needy, not only the poor of the body, as well as those "poor of the spirit", in the usual sense of the term.

There is a phrase, much quoted, written by Chico Xavier that is: "I know people so poor that they only have money", such is the spiritual poverty of many who still seek the things of this world more to the detriment of those that will be forever. In this way, acting as a mainstay supporting the needy who crossed the path, this enlightened Spirit, who assumed the identity of Chico Xavier, brought us another legacy: that of detachment. He did not receive any financial compensation for the books, because he claimed that they did not belong to him.  They were authored by the Spirits who dictated them and therefore he could not receive for something that had not been produced by his intellect, donating all copyrights. In this sense, his legacy is that of the true Christian, exercising the purest charity of "Give free what you have freely received". Neither financial compensation, nor public recognition was his target, for we often do not charge in money the payment for our deeds, but we demand public recognition for our pride to feel cared for, forgetting that Jesus stated that we should not do our work for men to see them, for thus the reward would have already been attained, and therefore nothing was left to receive.

This was always Chico Xavier's intention: detachment from everything that is material. It was enough for him to survive and work for the spreading of the Doctrine of the Spirits. He understood - since he obtained the first clarifications on the Doctrine given by the couple Peracio - that true mediumship is not the phenomenal one, however singular and exuberant it may be. The true mediumship is practiced with Jesus and for Jesus, in the sense that the medium must seek his own evangelization, with the consequent moral improvement. He was aware that we have received mediumship by the increase of mercy, so that we may exercise the qualities of the Spirit through various incarnations. Chico knew this condition and worked increasingly to be a safe intermediary and worthy of the task he had assumed as a mission before his reincarnation in Pedro Leopoldo.

As a medium, we are also left with the example of the Good Spiritist, which he proved to be in all his attitudes. It is an evolving Spirit, whose evolutionary level far surpasses us and that before the Divine Plans, did not refuse to answer the call for another experience in the flesh, contributing decisively to the consolidation of Spiritism in Brazil and in the world, especially for the countries, and that there are many, in which his books have been translated and published. His legacy is the model of a medium that is safe and consistent with the Gospel and with the Spiritist Doctrine.

Chico Xavier - the moral legacy

He dealt with complex and important matters today with the simplicity of clear and objective reasoning, which he uttered with sweet and ever-loving words, without offending anyone. He faced various persecutions from the Spiritists who did not understand him and demanded of him what was not important and necessary, when they went to him for “curiosities”, or just to show that they were important because they were "friends" of Chico, as well as opponents in the various philosophical and religious currents contrary to the Spiritist idea. Always with great patience, he acted with the necessary respect, with integrity, but without detracting from his deepest convictions regarding the Doctrine and the Gospel. Even in the face of physical, financial, political, persecution by slander or inventing things that he would have said or done something to demean his mission, he remained firm. The media that supported him at the end of his earthly existence, at first confronted him with articles in important media all over the country, in which he had been attacked and accused of being a charlatan, a profiteer of the public faith, that he was simply showing his ego, especially since he wore a wig. Vanity, of course, was not part of him. The beauty of his soul surpassed everything and everyone, and this could be felt by everyone who approached him. His words were always to raise the fallen ones, to give comfort to those who suffered like the mothers and fathers who looked for a lenitive to diminish their pain and the longing that made them suffer so much. His penetrating gaze was attentive to everything and everyone, and he could perceive, through his clairvoyance, the needs of each individual, giving this person the necessary affection and good words.

Example of integrity, he acted with the awareness of who was "on the way", carrying out a mission that was fundamental. His mission was that of the type that required a firm Spirit, mature and sure of his purpose. He looked upon the poor and those who were despised by the world with greater affection, for he understood the suffering they faced, and when he saw their conditions, he tried to contribute materially or spiritually, with a little to ease their sufferings. An example of how we should act when we are with brothers of less conditions, because if today we can give, tomorrow we may be asking for.

This is the moral legacy of Chico Xavier: Love, forgiveness, understanding and respect for all, because in his crystalline humility, he showed himself to be the smallest among the minors, an attitude worthy of those who already live in the peace of the Kingdom of God. 

Chico Xavier - The Doctrinal Legacy

He made his first contacts with the Spiritist Doctrine, at the hands of Mrs. Carmem Pena Peracio, who presented to him The Book of Spirits and The Gospel according to Spiritism, two works that make up the Kardecian Codification. The reading of these works impressed him in such a way that he decided to become a Spiritist immediately. He began a systematic study together with the development of psychography, since his main mission was the elaboration of books. He linked study to work: mediumship was developing as he grew in knowledge about the doctrinal foundations that helped him to understand the phenomena that had happened to him since the age of five.

Always counting on the help and support of the Superior Spirituality, coordinated by Emmanuel, he systematically studied the doctrinal books as well as other publications that fell into his hands, paying close attention to the nuances he perceived in the texts. He took care not to hurt peoples’ feelings, but he did not fail to always present his vision on controversial issues addressed to him by letters, or even on radio and television programs, in interviews for magazines, and so on. He has never omitted a questioning, and has always offered the possibility of contradiction, understanding that one cannot have the property of truth, and one can always learn and broaden horizons with the salutary ideas of other people.

We understand that the main legacy of Chico in this aspect was to show us all that being a Spiritist is not just attending Spiritist sessions and taking passes. This is also important, but not to focus on peripheral things, but rather to delve into ourselves through study, seeking our personal questions to be analyzed and resolved on the basis of discernment and firm will. This attitude is in line with what Kardec tells us in The Gospel according to Spiritism: "The true Spiritist is recognized for his moral transformation, and for the efforts he makes to tame his evil inclinations". ³It stimulates us to seek knowledge through the research of doctrinal and evangelical information, as well as spiritual work in any area and level. There is no work to be despised if it is done in the name of Jesus Christ.

Nowadays, many are looking at the Codification and comment that Kardec is outdated, because Science in the 19th Century was too limited compared with the findings we have today. However, they forget to note that Kardec himself was explicit in declaring that Spiritism was not complete, and that the contributions of Science which would prove to bring new light on points of the teachings of the Spirits should be incorporated into the work, for truth is disclosed little by little. This does not mean that we must alter the basis to justify ideas that mean very little or almost nothing regarding the Doctrine. The house that loses its foundations, can only crumble! Chico was very concerned about this issue, demonstrating all the time that Kardec came in the first place. Emmanuel went so far as to say that if he said something that would contradict Kardec's teachings in the Codification, we should stay with Kardec and forget what he, Emmanuel, had said. Respect and consideration for the Doctrine are evident.

He had no personal rapture in the sense of being the "owner of the truth." On one occasion, Chico decided to make some adjustments of words in the texts to make them more comprehensible, which was harshly criticized by renowned Spiritists of the time as Prof. Jose Herculano Pires, who did not recommend any alteration in the Codification. Chico complied and gave up the idea.

When we do not follow this legacy of trust in relation to the Codification, we fall into the possibility of transforming the Doctrine of the Spirits into "the doctrine of the Spiritists", and this would cause serious inconvenience, since we would be bringing into Spiritism knowledge, unproven opinions, processes and discussions that have nothing to do with their doctrinal foundation, disguising them in Spiritist paraphernalia, when in fact they are not.

This legacy is the most important, in our point of view, because it represents the structure of the whole work of Chico. He loved, served, assisted, cheered, wiped tears, welcomed incarnate and disincarnate sufferers, always with discipline, as his mentor Emmanuel had suggested.

When, finally, at the age of 92, in June 2002, he left for his Spiritual Homeland, he left us the longing, the cherished memory that must remain in every heart that in some way, directly or indirectly, was in contact with this Soul of Love and Light.

Bibliography:

1 - ALVES, Elifas - Chico, The Origins - Editora Alianca

2 - Euripedes Higino & Ariston Teles - Chico Xavier, the Apostle of Brazil - Euripedes Higino & Ariston Teles - Editora Espírita Ano Luz.

3 - KARDEC, Allan - The Gospel According to Spiritism - Chapter 17 – Be Perfect, item 4.