Reflections on fire in
Santa Maria 

After two weeks since the tragic events that occurred on January 27th in the town of Santa Maria (RS), the issue remains a subject of discussion in the media of the country, which, reflecting the concerns of the readers, have emphasized two points.

First: the hope that the events of the 27th arouse the conscience of public officials and businessmen so that similar events do not happen again.

Second: the necessity that any person responsible for the tragedy are properly identified and brought to account before the courts.

Amid spirit, of course, many still wonder: - What to say to people who face tragedies of similar nature?

We believe that the answer to that question is simple: - There is nothing to say, except pray for them all, reaffirming our faith in God and divine mercy, and trying to understand, with Spiritism light offers us, why still occur in our world similar facts.

This thinking is reflected in the editorial of the February issue of the journal The Immortal, which it is pulled the excerpt below:

"Of the many published demonstrations in the days following the fire, got us to knowledge a text entitled Spirit Reflections on the tragedy of Santa Maria, authored by noted writer Dora Incontri, who made timely consideration of the recorded facts in that city.

As Dora says in her article, we are unable to say why those people disincarnated in conditions so distressing. It misses information that we do not have. The building Joelma episodes that occurred in February 1974, may give us a clue, but we all know that in life, each case is unique, which may or may not have similarity with others.

Of course with the teachings we have received the spiritual doctrine the question of death does not cause fear or anxieties that affect people unprepared to face it, but this is general information that, of course, may or may not apply to the given situation considered individually. "

Fully agree with the thought of Dora Incontri and the editorial to which we refer, here's what we believe is possible to say to our brothers in Santa Maria:

- That God is a loving Father, just and wise, that only wishes good for our children...

- That the evidences which affect us in life do not come to crush us, but to be overcome and won...

- That death does not exist and therefore young people who have left continue to live and could give family news of their condition at a specific time...

- That the traumatic death leaves marks on those who leave and those who stay too and therefore they all need support and prayer...

- That suffering has always existential meaning, that each person must discover and transform a reason for the rise...

- Faith, communion with spirituality, whatever it may be, empowers the individual to overcome any trauma, including those arising from events like this. 

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Besides the above, nothing else is fair to say, but rather wait, as the mainstream media has highlighted that tragedies like this never happens again and that the arrangements that compete to the Justice be effectively taken because it is proven that it is the impunity that creates the conditions for negligence and omission of the agents responsible perpetuate.