Our full names are Ivone Maria Molinaro Ghiggino and Aloísio Ghiggino. 

O Consolador: Where were you born?  

We were both born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

O Consolador: Where are you living today? 

Ivone: We are living in the same city, but we lived in many places before. My father was a Brazilian Military officer, and Aloísio was a Brazilian Marine officer.

O Consolador: What is your level of education?  

Ivone: Language and Literature Teacher. 

Aloísio: Brazilian Marine officer. 

O Consolador: What roles have you taken within the Spiritist Movement? 

Ivone: I have taken different roles at the different cities we lived at. I have coordinated the Support Department for Spiritist Centres. This is linked to the Unification area of CEERJ (Spiritist Council of the State of Rio de Janeiro). 

Aloísio: President of the 5th Unification Spiritist Council (30 Spiritist Institutions located at the South area of Rio de Janeiro), Director of the Unification area of CEERJ (Spiritist Council of the State of Rio de Janeiro); Trustee of Fundação Cristã Espírita Cultural Paulo de Tarso, Leader at Rádio Rio de Janeiro, and Fiscal Member of the Spiritist Institution Lar de Tereza.  

O Consolador: What are the activities you are developing related to Spiritism? 

Ivone: I am now coordinating the study of The Mediums' Book and Genesis at Centro Espírita Lar de Tereza. This centre is located at Copacabana, where we live. I am also coordinating the Educational Area of the 5th Unification Spiritist Council, which is from CEERJ (Spiritist Council of the State of Rio de Janeiro). I also take part on programmes from Rádio Rio de Janeiro. I also organise lectures, seminars, talks and studies in other spiritist centres in Brazil and abroad. 

Aloísio: I am working as a spiritist lecturer. I coordinate the groups involved with the Systematic Study of the Spiritist Doctrine (ESDE) at “Lar de Tereza”. I am a member of the Management committee at CEERJ and take part on spiritist programmes at Rádio Rio de Janeiro. 

O Consolador: When did you first get in contact with Spiritism?  

Ivone: I was 6 years old when we went to live in Juiz de Fora (Minas Gerais State, Brazil). My father was transferred to this city, as he was a Brazilian Military officer. My parents became spiritist there; they even became friends of Chico Xavier.  

Aloísio: I was born in a Catholic family. I got in contact with Spiritism through my girlfriend, whom I am married to for almost 44 years. Her family was spiritist. 

O Consolador: Was there any interesting fact that allowed this contact? 

Ivone: No. It all just happened naturally. 

Aloísio: Time. Everything happened naturally. 

O Consolador: Which of the threes aspects of Spiritism (Science, Philosophy or Religion) attract you the most?  

Ivone: The threes aspects of Spiritism, since they are interconnected. 

Aloísio: I can’t opt for one and exclude the other aspects, but due to my education I tend to opt for logical reasoning; science. 

O Consolador: Which spiritist authors you like the most?  

Ivone: Besides the books codified by Allan Kardec, received by Chico Xavier and Divaldo Franco, I admire the books from Yvonne A. Pereira. I also enjoy reading Hermínio Miranda and Jorge Andréa. 

Aloísio: Chico Xavier, Divaldo Franco and Jorge Andréa. 

O Consolador: Can you please mention a spiritist book you read and you can’t forget about it? 

Ivone: The Spirits' Book, by Allan Kardec, without a doubt. 

Aloísio: I believe all books codified by Kardec are unforgettable. The one that hit me the most was The Gospel According to Spiritism. I had the honour to coordinate the study of this book for seven years at Lar de Tereza. 

O Consolador: If you were to spend a few years in a remote area with restrict access to the spiritist activity, which spiritist books would take with you? 

Ivone: I would take the books codified by Allan Kardec. I would also take André Luiz, Emmanuel, Bezerra de Menezes, Humberto de Campos, Neio Lúcio, Manoel Philomeno de Miranda and Joanna de Ângelis collections.  

Aloísio: The books codified by Allan Kardec. Every time you read, you can find a new message within the lines. 

O Consolador: When did you start giving lectures abroad? How did this happen? 

It happened 12 years ago. Our friend, Professor César Reis, found out we were going to Portugal. He then told his spiritist friends there we were coming. They contacted us and organised a series of talks from Algarve to Viana do Castelo, which is located at the North of the country. We have received lots of invitations to talk at different places since this time.  

O Consolador: How do you choose the topics you talk about? 

We would prefer the groups to choose the topics to be discussed, so we can reach their specific needs. We can send suggestions sometimes, but only if they ask. 

O Consolador: Is the work you doing abroad a commitment you have taken with the spiritual world? 

We don’t know if this commitment was assumed previously but we do it with love. We try to do it as best as we can. 

O Consolador: What motivates you to do this work? 

Disclose Spiritism motivates us. This Doctrine is so instructive it consoles us all. We also aim to be useful to our brothers who live in other countries. We aim to answer their questions and add information to it, always based on the Spiritist Doctrine. 

O Consolador: How many countries have you visited? Which countries are you planning to go to? 

We have been to many countries in Europe, South America and North America. In April/May we went to Switzerland for two weeks (we also stopped by Germany and Austria), and Italy for another two weeks. We are now in the United Kingdom this September, doing a series of spiritist lectures. 

O Consolador: What do you take back home from the trips go to? Do you feel like you have accomplished what you aimed for? 

We take a lot of things with us: getting to know wonderful people and establishing new friendships; which will last for a long time. We also feel we disseminated the Doctrine. We also learn so much from each trip. 

O Consolador: Was there a moment you thought this effort was not worth it? 

We never thought that. It was always worth it. 

O Consolador: How did you manage work, family and spiritist activity all these years? 

We need to find the balance to manage our activities in the spiritist movement with our family. Fortunately, our daughter and son-in-law are spiritists. They travel with us sometimes. Our son-in-law is even giving lectures as well.  

O Consolador: What message would you like to send to the ones who are involved in the disclosure of Spiritism? 

We should transmit the teachings of the Spiritist Doctrine codified by Kardec with simplicity, motivating the study and practice of good. This will inspire charity and be sustained by faith. 

O Consolador: What is Spiritism to you? What is the importance it has on your lives? 

It gives us strength to practice Jesus teachings. We can find not just the energy necessary to evolve, but also the consolation we need when faced with obstacles that are on our way. Spiritism revives Christ and is a fundamental part of our lives.