Cícero Fernando de Araújo: 

“I have become a different person since finding Spiritism” 

Our fellow Spiritist from Brazil’s Alagoas state talks about the Spiritist Movement in his city, Arapiraca, where he directs the
Companheiros de Emmanuel Centre

 

	Cícero Fernando de Araújo (photo) is the president of the Companheiros de Emmanuel Spiritist Centre (Companions of Emmanuel) in the north-eastern Brazilian city of Arapiraca. He is a lecturer, with a degree in Portuguese Literature, and works at the Federal University of Alagoas State. In this interview he talks about the challenges and  deve-
lopments of the Spiritist Movement in recent years and gives us a personal testimony about the transformations in his life since he found the Teachings.

Give us an assessment of the Spiritist Movement in the city of Arapiraca, in the state of Alagoas and across Brazil. 

We have managed in recent years to encourage the development of Spiritism in our city, especially since we began holding a yearly event, the Spiritist Week, in one of our main squares. This event has helped strengthen our Spiritist Groups and knock down some of the prejudice against Spiritism by part of our community. There are now 10 Spiritist Centres in Arapiraca. They used to be isolated from each other, but we now join our forces at every major event. As for the Spiritist Movement in Brazil, I believe it continues to go strong, but I must say I have not taken part in recent nationwide events, such as congresses and conferences. 

What could you share with us from your experience in the dissemination of the Teachings through lectures, talks and the publication of books and articles in the Spiritist media? 

There is a vast number of new Spiritist, or so-called Spiritist books being published in Brazil. Bearing that in mind, I strongly recommend Spiritists to be careful and focus on the core works of Allan Kardec, who codified Spiritism, and the classics of Spiritist literature. People need to be careful not to be fooled by books that lack the theoretical rigour. They could end up spreading information that goes completely against what we have learned in the Codification of Spiritism. 

What point would you like to highlight from your experience in the dissemination of Spiritism?

Public speakers from each Spiritist Centre in Arapiraca now visit other Groups to give talks. That has played a very important part in the integration of our local Spiritist Movement.  

What are the main benefits of holding the Spiritist Week of Arapiraca (SEMEAR, in the Portuguese acronym – a word that also means “spreading the seeds”)? 

The most remarkable outcome is the greater integration we see between the various Spiritist Centres in the city. SEMEAR is not an event linked to a particular Spiritist Centre. It is an event that belongs to Spiritism. The fact that it is held in an open space – in one of the city’s squares – enables people who have no knowledge of the Teachings to make a first contact. As they walk by and hear the talks, they realise that there is nothing outrageous or wrong going on. Many of them eventually join one of the Spiritist Centres in the city and become dedicated Spiritists. 

Who is your favourite Spiritist author? 

I like the books of Léon Denis, André Luiz and Emmanuel, which gather a vast amount of information about the Teachings, as well as the works of Yvonne do Amaral Pereira. 

What should be the best way of encouraging our fellow Spiritists to read more books and go further in their studies of the Teachings?  

We should raise their curiosity during talks and lectures. That means quoting a few extracts of the books, rather than giving a full description. That way people will feel like buying the books to read them and find out more.  

What would you say has changed in your life since you came in contact with Spiritism? 

My life has been transformed by the knowledge of Spiritism, especially in what concerns material addictions and habits. In the past I wanted to live without thinking about the future. But then I began to work on getting rid of my moral addictions – selfishness mainly. In The Spirits’ Book, the Spiritual Benefactors answer a question posed by Kardec and say that not doing good deeds is tantamount to doing evil. That is exactly how I used to live my life. I used to live exclusively for myself and was not interested in the problems of other people. I can say that I have become a different person since finding Spiritsm. 

Is there anything you would like to add? 

I would only ask to share my joy and thankfulness for this opportunity you have given me to share my thoughts with all your readers.