Hugo Gonçalves:

“Charity is only for real if made with love. Otherwise, it is not truthful”

Hugo Gonçalves (picture) is the founder and director of the newspaper O Imortal, from Cambé (PR, Brazil). This newspaper has just completed 55 years of existence in December last year. He is also the Director of the nursery Lar Infantil Marília Barbosa, which completed 56 years of existence last March. Hugo is 95 years old, and has been a great example for us all in the spiritist movement. He is working actively even today. He was Cairbar Schutel’s disciple in Matão (SP, Brazil) since the first moments of his existence.  It was from Cairbar that

who taught him the about spirituality since his early years. He narrates his experience here underneath:

“Mr Schutel was a well established pharmacist who possesed deep general knowledge and was deared to everyone in Matão-SP. He would look after patients in the countryside, if needed, at any time. When my mom was about to deliver me, Mr. Schutel was called to help since the midwife was struggling. He was the one who gave me the first tap in the back. He suggested to give me the name Victor Hugo, but my mother prefered Hugo only. This happened on the 6th October 1913.”

Please find his interview:  

– How did you start getting involved with Spiritism?

I started getting involved with Spiritism by the time I was born. Mr. Cairbar Schutel was the one who delivered me to this world. Cairbar Schutel was the pioneer for the Spiritist Doctrine in Matão, São Paulo.  

– What is the importance of Spiritism for families?

The Spiritist Doctrine orientes, calms, clarifies. It unites the family and strenghtens the family nucleus. 

– Allan Kardec wrote: “Without charity there is no salvation”. What is your opinion in regards to this sentence?

The sentence is correct. There is no other way since money does not save anyone, status does not save anyone, nor other factors which seem to be extremely important in the material world. There is a book that says pain and love will save souls. We need to have both. If we only had love, everything would be so easu but then we wouldn’t need to have the feeling of strength to face life.  Men need to be conducted through pain nowadays for him to awake and strength the love that will take him towards charity and then salvation.  

– How could charity be applied?

It should be applied with love, since without love charity is only apparent. When this feeling is around, charity is pure. If there isn’t love around, charity becomes a way to show we are superior to something/someone else. We need to learn to love. Love just as Jesus loved.  

– Who do you think has been the biggest example in the practice of charity?

To me, Mr. Cairbar Schutel has been the biggest example in the practice of charity. As Kardec said, “the biggest charity we can do to the Spiritist Doctrine is to publicize it reaching the entire society”. Cairbar Schutel had a simple life, and was a great example for us to follow in terms of simplicity.  

– What would you like to say to those who are indisciplined with their thoughts?

Please remember with respect and care the observations we received from The Spirit of Truth: Spiritists! Love one another … and educate yourselves.” We need to follow this concept if we want to reach the spiritual happiness we all aim for. 

– We have noticed in some spiritist centres that people withdraw from activities due to issues with other members. How should the spiritist leaders deal with cases like these?

The leaders should not worry about these issues but try to bring the member closer to the centre, without talking about it. The leader should never criticise the individual, but give him another opportunity to work with other members in the centre. This should be doen with care, love, and resignation. Let’s remember only love can constroy; not destroy. 

– What do you believe to be the most important activity in the spiritist centre?

They are all important, since it is a team of strength, energy and stability. It is the team-work that is needed to be able to well execute the tasks of the centre. We should never believe one is the most important. They are all equally important. 

– What do you think about the work in the spiritist centre for the education of Children and Youth? Is this task important?  

Yes, it it an important task, and we have seen so many extraordinary cases. We need to study and try to find out what are the best methods to work on the different departments within the centre. Let’s treat Children and Youth with care and respect. They are our future, and the education needs to start right from birth.  

– You have been managing the Lar Infantil Marília Barbosa, who always looked after children. What would you say is an aspect of your success in this task? 

I believe it to be persistancy. It is imporant to start a task and always look for ways to improve it. Otherwise, it does not produce results.  

– Besides working with children in the spiritist centre, what else is developed within the institution?

We are not just restricted to educating children in the centre. Even if we were, it would still be a great achievement since we are preparing the adults of the future generation. 

– Some people say that, since Chico Xavier disincarnated, his menthor Emmanuel should be reincarnating soon. What do you think about this affirmation? 

I believe we should not lack in Earth reincarnated spirits like Chico Xavier and Emmanuel. They bring us the sense of security and assurance of the imortality of the soul. These superior spirits came over here to make us aware of the reality of life. They invite us to work towards the Doctrine. We have received the information that spirits who are in the same or a higher level than them are reincarnating in the planet. The reason for them to be coming is for the progressiion to keep happening, with dedication and effort. 

– You, better than anyone else, has got to know Mrs. Dulce Gonçalves. What  message would she like to give her sons, grandsons and relatives?

To love and respect each other. We all need to unite so that the familty can work together towards those in need, since this is what she always wished for.