The comment above was made by Maria Aparecida Mazzucatti Cesar (photo), who was born into a Spiritist family in Guararema and lives in Jacareí, both cities in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. She works as a teacher and is a volunteer worker at the Batuíra Christian Spiritist Fraternity, as she explains in this interview.

When and how was the Fraternidade Espírita Cristã Batuíra (Batuíra Christian Spiritist Fraternity) founded? 

As a medium, Marici Accioly, received regularly written messages from the Spirit, Batuíra during her weekly Gospel in the Home meetings with her husband, children and friends. More and more people began to attend the meetings regularly, seeking Spiritual help for their problems. It became clear eventually that a bigger area would be require for the meetings and all other activities, including study groups. That is how it all began. Eventually, thanks to the dedication of the late coordinator, Paulo Sérgio de Barros Accioly and his wife, Marici, and with the help of so many others, we managed to build our own headquarters, where we still meet. It was opened in 1976.

What is the profile of the Spiritist Centre and what activities does it focus on? 

Our goal is to provide Spiritual assistance to our brothers and sisters in need of Spiritual help, based on the Christian Spiritist Teachings. We have talks, lectures, healing, study groups, youth groups and Gospel lessons for children.

What is your best memory of all these years working at the Batuíra?

It was when we managed to organise the “Batuíra Rebirth Project,” a social project devised and carried out by all of us with so much love and dedication. It provides pregnant women from a poor background with dignified and efficient conditions to look after their babies and young children.

When did you join the Batuíra and how did it happen?

I joined this Spiritist Centre in 1989, 30 years ago. I was brought up in a Spiritist family where there was much love and respect for the Teachings a great urge to learn more and work to help others. My determination to study and put into practice the Spiritist Teachings led me to take on many posts and tasks at the organisation, until eventually I was elected as coordinator.

Of all the activities and services you offer at the moment, is there a particular one that draws your attention in particular?

I would highlight the work we do on spiritual attachment, or spiritual obsession. During those sessions, we have the opportunity to help Spirits on both sides of life and we also benefit with so many lessons taught by discarnate Spirits. They show us what the reality is in the Spirit World and encourage us to reflect about the world and the particular circumstances we will find after death, according to what we do in this incarnation.  

What advice would you like to share with our readers, based on your experience in the Spiritist Movement?

Never turn your back to the Spiritist books and Teachings in general. Read and read again the Codification Books written by Allan Kardec as well as those written by the great Spiritists of the past, like Léon Denis, Delanne, Bozzano and so many others who have unfortunately been forgotten. Read also the work of Hermínio C. Miranda, the books written by the mediums Chico Xavier, Divaldo Pereira Franco and Yvonne A. Pereira, as well as other Spiritist authors who remain faithful to the principles of our Teachings.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

It is important to persevere in the Spiritual and charity work we commit to in the Spiritist Centre we attend regularly. Spiritist workers need to show more commitment and consistence in order to gain the balance and serenity required to face the challenges of life in our times.

Please leave us with your final thoughts.

I would like to thank you for the opportunity to mention the work carried out by our organisation the Batuíra Christian Spiritist Fraternity. Like so many other Centres and Groups, we strive to disseminate the principles of Spiritism, drawing attention to the importance that individual efforts play in the wider efforts to reorganise our society from a moral perspective and improve relations between individuals at home and elsewhere.