Cátia Lopes Ribeiro (photo) lives in the city of São Bernardo do Campo, in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, where she works as a volunteer member of the João Ramalho Fraternity Group. She has a degree in Literature, with specialisation in Literature for Young People. She has always been passionate about early childhood education and works teaching the Gospel and the principles of Spiritism for children aged between 6 and 8 at the João Ramalho Spiritist Centre. 

In the following interview, she speaks about her experience in the Spiritist Movement.    

How was your first contact with Spiritism?

I found out about Spiritism when I was eight years old, through a friend of my mother’s who would eventually become my mother-in-law. She was a Spiritist and a very good person.  

After that first contact, did you get involved in the activities of a Spiritist Centre straight away? 

No. I only got engaged in the Spiritist Movement in 1974, when I was almost 19 years old, at a time when I began dating my former husband. I have never left Spiritism, which provides so much enlightenment and consolation. Thanks to the Teachings I was able to overcome many challenges in my life and start my process of inner reform. 

Which of the three aspects of Spiritism strikes you the most and why?

It’s difficult to say as they are interconnected and we need all three aspects in order to progress. The philosophical side of Spiritism makes us reflect on what we are and why we are here, so we are able to understand ourselves and learn to look at other people and at the world around us. Science teaches us about the formation of the world, its essence and shows us that religion is not dissociated from it. It also helps us understand the process of communication with the Spirit World. And religiosity makes us understand the greatness of the universe and its Creator (even though we still have a very narrow perspective of the whole thing), that we have been created in order to reach perfection and it shows us that we won’t be able to enjoy even some form of relative happiness unless we really show concern for other people (and we are still a long way from understanding the meaning of true charity and from  putting it into practice). 

How about the activities you are engaged in at the Spiritist Centre you attend?

At the moment I am taking the official Spiritism Course for the third time in order to learn more and I am engaged in the wonderful task of teaching children the Gospel and the principles of Spiritism. 

What was the most memorable moment of your life in Spiritism so far?

That’s a difficult question. I have received so much from Spiritism. I’ve been through many difficult experiences, including an abusive relationship. I’ve had many health problems, I’ve been persecuted and I’ve suffered unfair accusations only for trying to help the weak and the vulnerable, especially my pupils and my children. For many years, I took part in mediumship groups, dealing with spiritual attachment. I learned a lot there. But I think that teaching children the Gospel is really what’s made an impact in my life. It has made me understand the importance of educating our children so that we are able to create a better world. Taking into account all that’s been happening in the world right now, it has become very clear to me that we will only be able to change things if we form a stronghold based on some form of religiosity. 

If you could say something to all Spiritists, what would that be?

We must carry out, each one of us, our inner reform. We need to study the Teachings and put their principles into practice. We need to start by ourselves so that we are then able to help our brothers and sisters. Before trying to change other people, we must look at ourselves and check whether we are making any real progress. 

From all your experiences in the Spiritist Movement, is there anything you would like to share with our readers?

Yes, that each class is magical. That I make a concerted effort to attend courses that will help me expand my knowledge and improve my skills. I am always looking for something new that will be able to make a difference in the lives of our children. I did that as a teacher and I try to do the same now as an educator at the Spiritist Centre. I have received a great deal of love from my pupils, with a few exceptions, and I get the same now from the children who attend the youth groups at the Spiritist Centre. A very gratifying moment in my life happened during the coronavirus pandemic. I was about to tell everyone the Parable of the Lost Sheep when one of the children went ahead and retold the whole story, which she knew by heart. I get very happy when the children raise their hands, participate and answer the questions, showing that they have actually learned. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

To find Spiritism was the best thing that could have happened to me and I hope to be deserving of everything that I have received. Do I have any problems and challenges in my life? Yes, of course, who doesn't?! But these holy and soothing Spiritist Teachings provide us with the power we need to face those problems and encourage us to try to do something good for our brothers and sisters. I’m immensely grateful for everything I have received.