The thought above is by this week’s guest, Luís Fernando Baia Antonietto (photo), a History teacher and member of the Spiritist Movement in the Brazilian city of Campinas, in the state of São Paulo. He is a volunteer worker at the Lairi Hans Spiritist Home, where he leads the study groups and youth classes, as he explains in the following interview. 

When and how did you become a Spiritist? 

I became a Spiritist in 1997, even though I’d had my first contact with the Teachings almost a decade earlier, in 1978. I was brought up as a Catholic and went to a school that was run by priests and nuns in the city of Campinas. The father of one of my best friends was a Spiritist and lent me the classic Spiritist book, “Exilados de Capela” (Exiles from Capela), by Edgard Armond. The title of the book was mesmerising and, in the breaks of our playdates, I always seized the opportunity to ask one or two questions to the late Antonio Trevizolli about the “spirits world.” With patience and, I can see now, a great deal of didactics, he explained the main arguments of Armond’s book, as well as “Nosso Lar - Our Home” and other Spiritist texts. 

Which aspect of Spiritism strikes you the most?

It’s the consolation provided by these blessed Teachings! It’s expressed in so many ways. I often see Spiritism as a wise teacher who plants seeds of love in the hearts of his pupils and waits patiently for them to germinate. The endless love shown by this teacher and father is a lesson that we all learn from. It teaches us to love one another and opens our eyes to our fellow companions on this journey, until we are able to love them and respect them as eternal spirits. When we “get good grades”, we finally learn to love those who disagree with us and those who don’t care for us as much as we’d like to. If we proceed on this long journey of wisdom, at the end of many existences we will be able to truly love Our Father, the Creator. 

As a History teacher, which aspect of human history do you rate as the most important and why?

I’m optimistic, despite all that people say. I believe that our capacity to learn new lessons and survive in conditions that are often so adverse is something really remarkable. If I was asked to pick a single moment or event in history, I would be non-committal and would say that I’m fascinated by periods when the divine plans are renewed and empires -- obsessed by the vain glory of this world -- disappear. And in the middle of a process that might look simply as destruction, the winners absorb the culture of those who were (seemingly) defeated. And one group survives through the other one, as it should be. 

How about the history of Spiritism?

Spiritism is a gift from Jesus to humankind and is part of a history of survival. From the very early days, following the testimony of the calvary, the message has been threatened of extinction, both by external enemies -- and it touches my heart to think that one of its first pursuers was Saulo de Tarso, the sublime convert from Damascus -- and by disagreements among those who were entitled with the task of keeping the lessons of Jesus alive. Along the years, we, the Christians, have been dazzled by the ephemeral powers and glories of this world. These days, the message of Christ is being challenged in a very similar manner. But if we follow the example given by the “first friends” of Jesus, we will prevail.   

What is the historic contribution of Spiritism for humankind?

The contribution of Spiritism has become clearer as we went through the coronavirus pandemic. Spiritism provides a message of tolerance and union towards the whole humankind. Individuals are imperfect, but the message that comes high above isn’t. If I had the opportunity, I would say that the message of hope that’s at the heart of the Spiritist Teachings is a divine balm that heals the hearts and spirits at the times of our testimonies. I would add that we are no longer blind as we were in the old days, when there was a thin line between faith and fanaticism. Thanks to the accuracy and intellectual rigour of Allan Kardec, the Codificator of Spiritism, and the immense love of the group of spirits who supported him, our faith fears neither science nor reason. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I’ll leave you with words that aren’t mine. They are the compass that guides us as well as the blessed flower that gives a sweet smell to our pathways: “Spiritists! Love one another! That’s the first commandment. Educate yourselves! Here’s the second one.” Let’s continue to love one another. Let’s continue to learn.