Divanir Assis Castilho (photo) was born into a Spiritist family in the Brazilian city of Bauru, in the state of São Paulo, where she still lives. She is a retired public sector worker and also works as a volunteer at Vicente de Paulo Spiritist Centre. In this interview, she speaks about her involvement with the Spiritist Movement and her unusual and thorough way of reading Spiritist books.

How did you become a Spiritist?

Well, my parents used to host mediumship meetings at home. I used to take part, not as a medium but giving them support. My task was to read The Gospel According to Spiritism during the meeting. The comments were made by a man who knew a great deal about Spiritism, even though he had only very basic education. He would read the message written by the medium, and dictated by the Spirit, and would do the final prayer. We planned to eventually open a Spiritist centre, but the only medium we had working with us passed away and without her that project never materialised. I would only return to Spiritism many years later, when I finally felt that Spiritism had found a place inside my heart.

What do you think is the main aspect of Spiritism?

Oh! It is the comfort it brings and that enables us to face the sorrows of life. Spiritism helps us accept pain and suffering. It gives us support and makes it possible for us to help people close to us who don’t yet know the Teachings. We always find in the work of Allan Kardec a comforting word, guidance for the crossroads of life and the conviction that we are never alone. We will always be protected by the love of God, of Jesus and the Spiritual Benefactors and friends. And there’s no bigger consolation than knowing for sure that death will not separate us from our loved ones.

How did develop your interest for reading, especially prefaces, footnotes, notes from the editor or the author?

I have always loved reading. When I pick up a book to read, I read everything, from cover to cover. Even the catalogue note, which is where you find information about the year when the book was published etc. If we don’t pay attention to everything, in the author’s notes, the introduction, the explanations from the translator etc., we will miss something important. After all, if it wasn’t important it wouldn’t be there.

What is your opinion about prefaces, introductions and other notes in the books of Allan Kardec?

That’s an interesting question! That’s what attracts me the most in his books. If we read every part of the book we will find, inevitably, something that will draw our curiosity about the work. The footnotes help me understand what the author perhaps couldn’t explain clearly. So when I read, I’m in no rush. I study the book and pay attention to every word and every paragraph. Whenever I find a word I don’t know, I stop to look it up in the dictionary. I often make notes on the book itself. On the preface we often find true treasures. That’s the case of The Gospel According to Spiritism. Its preface is like a prayer. Every time I read it I fall more in love with Spiritism.

What other attraction do those auxiliary texts have?

They are quite informative and contain precious explanations, real treasures that are often overlooked. The book’s presentation is a good example. The author normally choses a qualified person, with great understanding of the matter, to comment the book. That person makes an assessment, which is very important for the reader. I also like to read the dedication, which can be very moving. So, as you can see, I like everything that is in book. And I read every single letter. That’s what I do.

Is there any particular experience from your time in the Spiritist Movement that you would like to share with us?

My husband received a kidney transplant, donated by his brother. One of his arteries was damaged and he had deep vein thrombosis. So his legs often get swollen and painful. Once I was attending a course to learn how to give healing and when I went back home I found him in deep pain. I decided to give him healing, for the first time in my life. All of a sudden, I felt that my arm was elastic. It felt like it was stretching. It caused me quite an impression, as that was something new to me, but I carried on. And there’s something else: when I give Spiritist talks or lectures, very often I feel like I’m growing up. I’m very short, only 1.56m tall (5ft1). And on those occasions, I feel like I’m 2 metres tall (6ft6).

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes. Spiritism has provided me with so many pleasant situations and so many opportunities to meet wonderful people, true friends who encourage me to study and give me a lot of support.