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Francisco de Oliveira
Coelho (photo)
was born in the
Brazilian state of Minas
Gerais and is now based
in the city of Matão, in
the nearby state of São
Paulo. He has degrees in
Philosophy and Pedagogy.
He has embraced the task
of making people aware
of one of the memorable
works of Spiritist
literature and spreading
its messages:
When and how was the
book published?
It is a very old book,
published initially as
individual articles in
Spanish newspapers and
magazines. It was first
published as a book
in 1900.
The memories
were
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dictated by the
Spirit of Father
Germano through
a speaking
medium called
Eudaldo Pagés.
The notes were
taken by Amália
Domingo Soler,
an icon of
Spiritism in
Spain at the end
of the XIX
century and
beginning of the
XX century. The
book was
translated into
Portuguese and
published in
Brazil for the
first time in
1917, by the
Brazilian
Spiritist
Federation
(FEB). It was
published again
in several
editions by FEB
and later by two
other publishing
houses. |
And for our readers who
may not know it, who was
Father Germano?
He was a Catholic priest
who probably lived in
the XVIII and XIX
centuries in the north
of Spain and/or south of
France, near the
Mediterranean coast. In
that life he chose to
live Christ’s
priesthood, determined
to put the principles of
His Gospel into practice
among the poor and the
meek, especially among
the children. But due to
the strict observation
of those principles, he
was not accepted by the
Church – the institution
and the established
power. He was sent to
poorer quarters, away
from urban centres. But
word of his charisma and
his “sainthood” soon
spread throughout the
region and residents of
the bigger cities went
looking for him in his
small village. Through
those meetings, when
people usually came to
confess with him, father
Germano got to know many
human miseries and
identified in those who
came to him not sinners,
but ill Spirits, often
in need of guidance,
counselling and
opportunities in order
to give another
direction to their
lives.
What particular aspect
of the book drew your
attention the most?
Why?
It was the attitude of a
Spirit fully aware of
his duties. The main
duties in our lives are
the result of our
commitments in the
Spiritual World,
conveniently forgotten
when we return to a
material existence. Many
brothers and sisters
fail to realise the
importance of the
opportunity provided by
a new existence in the
flesh and spend most of
their lives either
moaning or having some
“time off”, as though
they were on holidays.
The stories mentioned in
many parts of the book
make it clear that the
great human dramas, the
suffering and anxieties,
change on the outside,
but are essentially the
same. Those of us who
are not willing to take
some “time off” during
this incarnation should
read this book. The
stories there will
provide real
enlightenment and guide
us through our big
decisions in this life,
helping us in our
efforts to achieve
continuous spiritual
development, as stated
in the eternal Law.
You have gone round the
country speaking about
this book. What reaction
do you generally get
from the public?
Deep silence…
Reflection… The will to
become a better person…
Each occasion has been a
great opportunity for me
to learn and meditate as
well. I have been
through some amazing
situations with the
public, when people bare
their souls, which get
small in the face all
the achievements
mentioned in the father
Germano’s memories. But
those storie fills us
with hope as we see the
possibilities of what
can be achieved.
In your talks do you
find out that many
people do not yet know
the book?
Absolutely! Very few
people have read the
book. Those who have are
usually older, and they
tend to remember a great
deal. We normally get
those who have read the
book to help us engage
the others, asking them
to help us tell the
beautiful stories told
by father Germano. Many
get motivated and
re-read the book. Those
who had not read it
often buy it and begin
reading straight away.
We advise every one to
read the book on their
own, in the quiet hours
of their days. Many
people write to me
afterwards saying how
amazing the book is,
others share what they
have learned by
re-reading it.
Could you mention here
one of the many lessons
taught by the book?
I will quote one of
father Germano’s
sentences: “You admire
what you call my
virtues, while in truth
they are nothing but the
strict fulfilling of my
duties. Don’t you think,
my children, that I have
done anything special; I
have done what all men
should do: I have
controlled my passions,
which are our fiercest
enemies.”
Would you be able to
pick one of the many
stories, one that has
had particular impact on
you?
Certainly the passage
titled “The three
confessions.” Father
Germano speaks of his
profound love for a
woman he never touched,
as he remained faithful
to his commitment with
the priesthood in this
incarnation. In this
passage he shares with
the reader his pain of
hearing in three
occasions the
confessions of love of
the “girl with a pale
complexion and dark
curly hair.” They loved
each other but it was a
love he was not allowed
to enjoy as husband and
wife.
What would you advise to
those who do not yet
know the book?
That they buy it and
begin reading it today!
Is there anything else
you would like to add?
I would like to mention
the words of Emmanuel,
the spiritual guide of
the great medium, Chico
Xavier, who said in the
preface to his novel
Renúncia: there are
books that deal with
feelings and should be
read with the heart.
This one, Memories of
Father Germano, is
certainly one of them.
Note:
The book Memories of
Father Germano was
the object of thorough
studies and analysis in
the editions 139 and 158
of this magazine. This
link will take the
reader to the first part
of the piece:
http://www.oconsolador.com.br/ano3/139/classicosdoespiritismo.html
