Carlos Gomes (photo) was born in the Brazilian city of Volta Redonda and has lived for the past 38 years ago in Itajubá, in the state of Minas Gerais. He is an educator with degrees in Biology and Education. He is also a volunteer member of the Fraternidade e Amor (Love and Fraternity) Spiritist Centre. In the following interview, he shares his thoughts about the classic books of Spiritism and the current developments in the Spiritist Movement. 

What does Spiritism mean to you?

It’s a life philosophy, a new way to see the world. I wouldn’t be able to understand the world without the Spiritist Teachings, which have been of great help in my journey.  

How did you become a Spiritist?

To tell you the truth, I was always curious about spiritual matters. When I found Spiritism in 1980, I found out that I was already a Spiritist. After all, those principles I learned then simply met my previous demands and aspirations. 

Which aspect of Spiritism strikes you the most?

It’s the freedom it gives for each one of us to research, study and interpret the books. Spiritism is the religion of autonomy, as it frees us from “the fear to question” that was there before. But, at the same time, it makes us fully aware of the responsibility that comes with our choices. 

What assessment do you make of the Spiritist Movement and Spiritist Centres in Brazil in general?

We, Spiritists, have a treasure in our hands. But I have realised that not everyone in the Spiritist Movement has understood that this treasure must be handed out in generous portions. That is not a task to be carried out by one particular individual, but for all of us, instead, who have embraced this cause. We need to get familiarised with the union and unification project and feel that we actually belong to the same family. We need to work together and learn from Allan Kardec that the work is more important than its author. Spiritism is about hard work and, as Bezerra de Menezes has taught us, if we are united and supportive of each other, we will be stronger. 

What would you like to highlight from your magnificent article on Allan Kardec’s book, “Spiritist Journey in 1862”?

That’s very generous of you. This is a book that really touches my heart because when I read it I can clearly feel the presence of Allan Kardec, expressing his joy about the growth of the Spiritist Movement and willing to share that with his readers. That’s perhaps why I wrote that article in the first place. 

Why do you think so many in the Spiritist Movement ignore this true literary gem?

The Spiritist Movement has neglected in recent times the classic Spiritist books and has failed to disseminate them and even to include them in their libraries. So, newcomers in the Spiritist Movement very often don’t have access to those books and don’t even know of their existence. 

By the way, can we consider this book a true literary gem? Why?

Absolutely. I believe that Allan Kardec, Chico Xavier, Cairbar Schutel, Eurípedes Barsanulfo, Anália Franco and so many other pillars of Spiritism can be considered as “living books” who deserve to be “read,” studied, debated and, most of all, copied and imitated. They are the true Spiritists. People often say: “I can’t be like Jesus because He is perfect.” And I reply: “So, let’s be like the human beings who are similar to us,” referring to those mentioned above. 

What would you say is one of the core points of the book?

I get very emotional every time I come to a point in the book where a group of factory workers travel from the Saint-Juste region to Lyon to hear about Spiritism as though they were going to a party. They take with them their bread and wine to share with Kardec, as well as an open heart, ready for a true feast, as they say. You can feel clearly in that part of the book how Kardec was touched by it. 

What can we do to help make this book better known?

When in Spiritism we list the “basic works” or “core works” of Kardec, we tend to mention only the five books that are better known. But this list should be much longer and should include all the editions of the Spiritist Review and other books. All Spiritist Centres should become aware of that and, for example, draw attention to that extended list every year during the month of October, when we celebrate Kardec’s birthday.  

What are your best memories from all these years in the Spiritist Movement?

It’s undoubtedly to see to what extent people change and improve after they become Spiritists. They first come to the Spiritist Centre in a state of desolation, feeling low and hopeless. They start getting better after receiving fraternal assistance (or counselling) and healing. They then start to attend the other activities of the Spiritist Centre regularly. Eventually they become volunteer workers and we can only admire their transformation, lifting our hands up and saying: thank you, God! Thank you for Spiritism, which is the Gospel Revived! It is worth being here to be part of this process!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I think that, even though Spiritism has already grown so much in recent years, it still needs us for its dissemination. I urge all Spiritists to use all the means at their disposal, all the time and through serious reading and studying, to fully commit to the cause. Jesus and Kardec are inviting us for this blessed mission.