Ururaci Szlezak (photo) was born in Brazil and moved to Austria 20 years ago, where she married Sebastian Szlezak and had four children. She became a Spiritist in the late 1980s and early 1990s in Vienna, inspired by the talks by Divaldo Franco, Raul Teixeira and Juan Antônio Duarte, who was the president of the Argentine Spiritist Federation for many years.

In this interview, she speaks about the Sociedade de Estudos Espíritas Joanna de Ângelis – SEEJA, the Spiritist Centre she helped found in Vienna nearly 10 years ago.  

When did you have the idea of founding a Spiritist Centre in Vienna?

My intention, initially, was to set up a study group where we could get together to study and debate the books written by the codifier of Spiritism, Allan Kardec. But we eventually realised that the people coming to us had other needs and we acted upon that.

Did you face bureaucratic problems to organise the Spirtist Centre?

No. To avoid any problems, we checked first with other groups that already existed in Germany and the GEEAK Group in Vorarlberg, in Austria. We adapted the regulations they had to our circumstances, registered the Group with the police in Vienna, as required by law, and everything has been going on well.

Why did you decide to name it after Joanna de Ângelis, the Spiritual Benefactor?

I have great respect and affection for that Spirit, who has been a clear, positive influence in my life in so many occasions.

What are the main practical challenges faced in the organisation of the Group?

I believe we face the same problems as most Spiritist Centres, but I’m glad to say that we never ran out of money to pay our rent. We all live with that fear of not being to be able to pay the rent at the end of the month. But in our case here, we have always been able to meet our financial commitments.

What are the main activities and services you provide?

We have a study group based on the works of Allan Kardec and also on the books of Yvonne do Amaral Pereira and, naturally, our mentor, Joanna de Ângelis. We have a book club that focus for a year on the work of a particular Spiritist author. And we run study groups for children, but I have noticed that children aged between 5 and 12 simply don’t turn up, despite our best efforts.

Is there a problem with the language barrier and the dissemination of Spiritism in German-speaking countries?

No! We have a day dedicated to those who want to come and find out more about Spiritism. And the young people who come regularly, even the Brazilian ones, speak German. I also think that those who study Spiritism in a foreign country should learn the local language in order to give something back to the country that has welcomed us.

Are there Austrian people attending the activities at the Centre?

Yes, and the responsibility for the German language services have already been handed over to a native speaker, my son, Jeremias Szlezak.

What is usually their initial reaction?

They are curious and surprised by coming to a Spiritist Centre and finding many books and questions, rather than mediunimic phenomena.

What advice would you give to someone willing to found a Spiritist Centre in Europe?

First of all, check if there is a Spiritist Centre already in operation where you are and whether you can help there. If not, start with the Gospel in the Home and be consistent and patient. The Spiritual Benefactors never leave us alone. They are together with us in every occasion and they are aware of all our anxieties. So they will put the right people in our lives at the right time to help us propel out project. But we need to watch and be open so we can connect with those people when they come across our lives.

What is your main motivation to carry on and not give up even when facing obstacles along the way?

The project prepared by the codifier of Spiritism, Allan Kardec, is simply fantastic! I feel honoured to be a part of it, even if I have a small, insignificant role in that project. Ok, I know what my qualities are. If I didn’t, I would be ungrateful for all the amazing things that I have received in this incarnation on this planet. But I am also fully aware of my limitations and blockages. I know very well that at this stage in my life only Spiritism can help me. I am also aware that neither Spiritism nor the Spiritist Centre need me. I am the one who needs them in my life. I also know that my family is so important. It makes me better today than I was yesterday and better tomorrow than I am today! And so be it!