The Léon Denis Spiritist Centre, founded in 1916, is celebrating now its centenary. How would you sum up the importance of the organization? 

That it is fulfilling its role as a Spiritist organization by taking our consoling Teachings to so many brothers and sisters. In each phase of its existence it has dealt with the most urgent issues of the time. In the beginning of the 19^th Century it focused on spiritual healing. In other periods, it provided the study of the Gospel and Spiritism, when the population of the town was most in need of that. If we look back at the history of our organization, we realize how important a role great anonymous Spiritists played. That was the case of Maria Rita da Silva, who had the determination and faith to build the Spiritist Centre in a rural area of the town, evading the religious intolerance of the time. With that, she managed to enlighten some 50 people every week. 

What are the main activities of the organization? 

It is to teach Spiritism. That should be the main priority of all Spiritist Centres. We have study groups three times a week, focusing on the core works of Allan Kardec. We are a small organization, but we have daily regular activities, including healing, fraternal assistance (or counseling), mediunimic groups, courses, seminars and a weekly Spiritist radio programme. 

What would you like to highlight from Léon Denis’s 100 years of history? 

The fight carried out by the founders, in the early 1900s, and especially the fact that the founder was a woman, which was very unusual at the time. I must also highlight the fact that those who attended the meetings at that time were really determined, as the Spiritist Centre is located in a remote rural area. And I must say that it enjoys great backing from the Spiritual Benefactors. 

The great pioneer of Spiritism in Brazil, Herculano Pires, was born in Avaré. What is the influence of this great name in the history of Spiritism in the town? 

The Spiritist newsstand in the city centre is named after him and his name is quoted often in study groups, talks and lectures. But I must say that unfortunately the study of his works is not common in Spiritist organisations. That is, by the way, a project we intend to develop at our Spiritist Centre next year, during the second regional meeting. 

How do Spiritists in the area feel about the centenary celebrations? 

They are living this experience with great joy and enthusiasm. Everyone realizes how much our Spiritist Centre has helped and will continue to help all of us. Each volunteer worker plays an important role in the dissemination of the event and in the effort to build a group of people who follow to the core the principles of Jesus and of Spiritism. 

What are you planning to do to mark the occasion? 

We are expecting this to be an opportunity to get the Spiritist Centres and all Spiritists in the region together, in an atmosphere of friendship. But most of all we see this is a great opportunity to thank the Benefactors in the Spirit World for everything that they have done for us. Our event will take place on 19 June 2016, a Sunday, at the building of the Colônia Espírita Fraternidade Spiritist Centre. And we are planning a second regional meeting for 2017. 

The mere fact that you have agreed to have the centenary celebrations hosted by another Spiritist Centre shows that you are really determined to promote the integration of all Groups in the city. Tell us more about that. 

Absolutely. That is something we have envisaged for a while. We are united by that goal and in our first meeting to discuss the celebrations we could all feel the spiritual harmony in the ambient. We will have a week of talks in our Group, Léon Denis, from 12 to 18 June, with guests from other Groups, and that will certainly encourage the harmony between the various organisations and strengthen ties. 

Is there anything else you would like to add? 

I would just like to thank you for this opportunity. I am very happy with the work carried out by our brothers and sisters in the Spiritist Movement – incarnate and discarnate spiritis – in the preparations for the centenary celebrations. It is clearer and clearer to me that when our goals are guided towards the light, everything conspires in favour and that each and every worker in our Spiritist Centre has a part to play in keeping that light, which is Divine, shining. Thanks to everyone who has helped in the work and in the dissemination of the event.

I would like to leave you with the appropriate words by Herculano Pires: “Spiritism has not created churches, it does not need sumptuous temples. It does not have rituals, it does not give blessings to anyone, it does not promise anyone a place in heaven and it does not give titles or honours to anyone. (…) Its only goal is to enlighten, educate, guide and show the way to human authenticity and the spiritual truth of men and women.” (From the book Curso Dinâmico de Espirismo, page 30.)