Wellington de Melo (photo) works as a commercial rep in his hometown of Tupaciguara, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, where he is an active member of the Spiritist Movement. He is the current president of the Paulo Apóstolo (Paul the Apostle) Spiritist Centre and also a member of the Eurípedes Barsanulfo Spiritist Centre. In the following interview, he tells us how he became a Spiritist and talks about his experiences in the Spiritist Movement. 

How did you become a Spiritist? 

My brother, the youngest of five siblings, used to cry out in terror when was still in his cot and before he was able to speak. Later, when was five or six, he used to describe Dantesque scenes, which only he could see. He even drew them to us, depicting “black monsters” who said they would kill our mother. Those monsters showed her inside a coffin. So I took him to what I believed to be a Spiritist Centre. It was actually an Umbanda Centre [Afro-Brazilian religion] where my brother was assisted by a medium. The Spiritual Benefactor revealed then that I had made a commitment to work in that field. I continued to work there as a volunteer and eventually moved on to Spiritism. As for my brother, those episodes never occurred again. 

What strikes you the most from all these years in Spiritism?

What I find really remarkable is how much consolation Spiritism can provide to those in need. I once saw a woman shouting as she displayed a letter dictated to a medium by her son, who’d passed away: My son is alive! I saw once a father, a military man, who knelt down on the floor after receiving the first letter from his son, who had passed away in an accidental gunshot. He looked up as the tears rolled down his face and said: Thank you, God! It’s easy to understand the choice of work in Spiritism of our dear Chico Xavier. 

How do you feel Spiritism inside you, in your heart?

You know when Jesus invited us to join him, as his yoke is easy and his burden is light? Well, that’s how it is. Spiritism translates to me as a lightness of living and relating to others, to events and to life. Without bitterness or complaints, respecting everything and everyone and, of course, showing huge gratitude to God and Jesus. 

What is your assessment of the Spiritist Movement?

Oh, the Spiritist Movement is something amazing. It’s formed by our brothers and sisters who are looking for the same things we are. I believe that, thanks to the valuable effort and hard work of some many Spiritists who are committed to the work of Jesus and Spiritism, the Spiritist Movement is doing something similar to what the early Christians did on Earth. And I must add: I want to be one of them. 

How about the pandemic and the new experience of online meetings and events?

The Spiritist Movement has gained a great deal in terms of flexibility and quality with wider and immediate access to digital books and other research tools. But I believe that the biggest gains are in three other aspects: first, there’ve been openings for new volunteer workers, who are very keen and capable; there’s also a new format, in which a conversation online replaces the talks and lectures, which often felt more like sermons; and there is now the possibility of reaching many more people from other religions, who didn’t attend Spiritist Centres in person or read Spiritist books before the coronavirus pandemic. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

My current physical life has been marked by huge challenges and perhaps the biggest of all was a car accident in which I was involved in 2002. I was driving the car with my family on a major road and I hit a truck coming in the opposite direction with all his lights off. My wife and my son Rafael, who was 2 years and 10 months old passed away, while my twin daughters, Lívia and Laura (9 months old) and I escaped unscathed. Spiritism and the Spiritual Benefactors have provided everything I need to accept this and to move forward. Blessed are the Spiritist Teachings in my life. What would be of me without you?

Speaking from your heart, what message would you give to all Spiritists?

Jesus, always, in our words, reflections, studies, relationships, family and above all in our life in society. We stand in awe of public speakers, mediums and new books, but the reason why they are there is for us to understand a lesson that, albeit old, is still new: “Love God above all things and your neighbour like yourself.”