Ednar José dos Santos (photo), from Brazil’s northeastern city of Recife, in Pernambuco state, became a Spiritst in 1989. As pensioner, she can dedicate all her time to Spiritism. She is the current president of Pernambuco’s Spiritist Federation, a job she carries out with joy and dedication. She spoke to us from the spacious headquarters of one

My first contact with Spiritism was in fact in the 1970’s, when my mother, who was facing some problems in her personal life, brought me here, to the Federation’s building. She followed the Spiritual treatment prescribed, got better and stopped coming to the meetings. And so did I. I came back in the 1980’s for a lecture by Divaldo Franco and was amazed by what I heard about the Teachings. I decided to begin studying; I did all the courses provided by the Federation, got involved eventually in the organisation of teaching courses. I was invited by the late president to join the board and was four years later was appointed president. I am now in my second two-year term. 

How many Spiritist groups are affiliated to Pernambuco’s Federation? 

Two hundred and twenty out of nearly 500 Spiritist groups in the state are members of the Federation. The numbers change as we have new groups being formed all the time and the process of registration and membership takes some time.  

What is your view on the development of Spiritism in Brazil? 

I make a very positive assessment of the Brazilian Spiritist Movement, which has grown in number and has matured, even though we still face challenges from Spiritist Centres that do not study the basic works and do things their own way. But we have learned a great deal with what we have achieved so far. Jesus is waiting for us, we need to go towards him. 

What do you suggest to improve efforts to disseminate Spiritism? 

A lot of perseverance and responsibility is needed in order to manage to convey the principles of Spiritism to the wider public. We have access to all the media now, but those tools need to be used with responsibility. The main thing is to bear in mind that we need to lead by example, or else what we preach becomes meaningless. We need to live the teachings of Christ in spirit and intelligence.  

Is Spiritism in Pernambuco subject to the influence of Spiritualist sects in a way that it diverts people from the true essence of the Teachings? 

We are still subject to a great deal of prejudice, albeit not as much as it used to be thanks to the work we carry out in Spiritist Centres in smaller cities and in the outskirts of the capital, Recife. Charity is our main and best form of advertisement. We must also mention the fact that the media has helped to spread the Teachings and information through a number of radio and television transmissions. As often as we can, we try to take part in forums, TV and radio programmes so we can speak directly to a less educated part of society. And we must carry out a serious and efficient job in our Spiritist Centres. Jesus must be well represented by the actions of His workers. 

What are your main proposals for Pernambuco’s Spiritist Federation and for the Spiritist Movement in general?

Unification, we should work together to put into practice the Teachings of Our Master Jesus and to study Spiritism. Each Spiritist Group may have their own practices and routines, but they can never go against the basic principles of Spiritism. They cannot add odd practices to their programmes just to follow fads or fashions. You will be going against all that is taught in the basic principles of Spiritism if you throw away all the relevant lessons for us, immortal souls, in order to get a full house or more followers coming to your meetings. 

What is your view on the great number of Spiritist works being published these days? 

Not everything that is published under the banner of Spiritism is Spiritist. The fact that a book is written through mediumship or by a Spiritist author doesn’t make it a Spiritist book. Many authors are moved by selfish motivations. We must warn the public about those cases. Once again I highlight the importance of studying Spiritism regularly and in depth. 

What should be the main priority of Spiritism in our days? 

The priority should be to lead those who come in contact with Spiritism into reflecting and meditating, considering carefully what they hear and see without fanaticism. As people get to know themselves, they begin to change their thoughts and actions. That is where the Gospel of Jesus, under the guise of Spiritism, must be present in all we do and say. There is no lack of religion in today’s world. There are so many groups about. That is evidence that incarnate Spirits are looking for something, for the spiritual. But there are also so many disagreements over religion. Spiritism is different, as it opposes dogma and fanaticism, as it enlightens people through the rationality of its teachings, showing them their responsibilities and also the love that is in the core of the Teachings from the Spiritual Benefactors. Their messages are addressed to everyone, without prejudice or distinctions.  

The planet is going through a period of spiritual transformation. How should Spiritists act under these circumstances? 

We all must disseminate the Teachings through our good deeds. That must be our main goal. We must trust God, Jesus and ourselves, knowing that we are already in contact with the Comforting Teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We must bear in mind that we are all God’s children, that we are immortal spirits, which gives us great hope in the future. We know our good inclinations must beat our bad tendencies, and that is great.