Ana Beatriz Perche Bonini Baldan (photo) lives in her hometown of Matão, in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Her mother was a Spiritist and her father was Catholic. Since 1985 she declares herself a Spiritist. She is an educator who worked for three years as a children’s gospel teacher at O Clarim Spiritist Centre, which was founded in 1905 by the great Spiritist pioneer, Cairbar Schutel. In this interview, she shares family memories from those who met and knew well Cairbar Schutel in Matão, where he spent most of his life.

What are your links with this amazing character, Cairbar Schutel?

I wouldn’t be able to say how old I was when I heard the name of Caibar Schutel for the first time. My mother’s family had close links of friendship and companionship with him and shared the same ideals as this notable missionary. They met him in his early days over here, when we were surrounded by coffee farms in the small village that had been founded after the railway was extended towards these lands. Cairbar came with the railway. He first arrived at the neighbouring city of Araraquara and shortly after moved to our humble and incipient village. This true giant of Spiritism was very close to my ancestors and that relationship has had an impact on our family for generations. That is the main reason why so many members of the Perche family have come into contact with Spiritism and still follow the Teachings to this day.  

Have those memories left a mark on your life?

Yes, his strong and remarkable personality and some examples from his daily life have been told from generation to generation in our family. He was a strong, determined man, who always presented himself well. His image was of a serious and determined man, but he was also very down to earth and humble in his acts at all times. He was firm and coherent and really believed in his ideals. His attitude and practices have been a model and an example to us all.

What stories and memories from all of those you heard you would like to share with us?

An example of fraternity and detachment from his part happened once in his pharmacy and involved a member of my family. Mr Schutel used to buy empty glass containers from a very humble and poor man. He was very generous and wanted to help him. The containers were used for homeopathic medications that Mr Schutel prepared and handed out free of charge for those in need. One day that man arrived at the pharmacy with a great number of containers, as usual. My grandfather’s brother was there, José Perche, known as Zeca. He told the man they had too many containers and didn’t need any more. But he checked with Mr Schutel, who then told him to buy all the containers. My relative tried in vain to reason. The next day after, the containers had been bought, Mr Schutel asked Zeca to make him a big favour: to dig a big hole next to the pharmacy building and bury all the glass containers they had. He then explained: “When he comes back with more glass containers to sell, please buy the lot, as we are desperately in need. We don’t have any left.”

What was, in your opinion, Schutel’s main contribution for the development of the city of Matão and also for the development of Spiritism?

Cairbar played a key role in the early days of our city. He was our first mayor and was involved in the foundation of the Hospital of Matão. And he set an example, showing what we needed to do to be good citizens. He left us a legacy of love, as he worked in so many social projects. I found out about many of them through my mother, who told me so many stories in her lovely, sweet voice. She told us that he used to give food to those in need at the back of his house and used to help anyone who needed came to him.

How do you think Schutel influenced those who met him at the time?

He was highly regarded and well-respected by everyone in Matão, who praised him as a true example, a noble spirit and an ethical man, with honest and righteous behaviour.

Could you share with us a story or an aspect of his life that could help our readers?

I heard that Mr Schutel slept very little and that, whenever he was up, he was doing something, working. He used to dress white linen suits, which were very popular in his days. He used to eat every day two soft-boiled eggs punctually at 10am at the pharmacy. He also liked to go to the cemetery to pray and reflect. He had simple habits, worked hard, reflected a lot about the meaning of life, he was surrounded by true friends, helped his brothers and sisters, didn’t care much about material possessions, and yet, was always well dressed and looked after himself. That shows that he really took good care of his body and his health.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to this amazing man and to all of those who helped him along his journey. This interview has reminded me of some facts that happened during his life. There was so many misunderstandings, so many people were humiliated but they never gave up their ideals and left us a legacy of love. When we really believe in our ideals we will never be alone and we will be helped and supported by those working on behalf of Jesus. Cairbar Schutel is certainly very happy with the outcome of this long journey and all the work that is still being done by the Spritist publisher he founded in the city of Matão.