Lena Alberton:
“To love one
another is still
the biggest
challenge for
us, Spiritists”
Our fellow
Spiritist from
the southern
Brazilian state
of Santa
Catarina admits
that we all
struggle when
dealing with our
innermost
feelings
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Lena Alberton
(photo), a
Spiritist since
2004, was born
and brought up
in the city of
Tubarão, in the
southern
Brazilian state
of Santa
Catarina. She
works as a
volunteer at the
Spiritist Centre
Deus, Amor e
Caridade (God,
Love and
Charity). In
this interview
she talks about
the Spiritist
Movement in her
city.
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Firstly, please
introduce our
readers to the
city of
Tubarão.
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Tubarão lies
between the
Atlantic Ocean,
the mountains
and a source of
thermal waters,
136km from the
state capital,
Florianópolis.
It is the second
biggest city of
Santa Catarina,
with a
population of
102,000 people.
Its economy is
based on trade,
agriculture,
cattle raising
and the ceramics
industry.
How many
Spiritst Groups
are there in the
city and which
was the first
group founded
there?
We have six
Spiritist
Groups, four of
them affiliated
to the Spiritist
Federation of
Santa Catarina.
The city’s first
Spiritist Centre
was founded in
1943, but its
founders never
chose a name for
it. Many years
later, its
founder passed
away and its
members joined
the second
oldest group in
the city, O
Consolador
Prometido (The
Promised
Consoler), which
was founded on
June 4th
1954. All the
Spiritist
Centres in the
city co-operate
with each other
and also follow
closely the
Spiritist
principles
codified by
Allan Kardec.
What are the
main rewards and
challenges you
have seen in
this exchange of
experiences in
the Spiritist
Movement?
What brings me
great joy is
seeing that the
Spiritists in
the region are
so united,
exchanging
experiences that
help the local
Spiritist
Movement grow.
The biggest
obstacles
concern the lack
of resources. We
do not have
enough money to
build Spiritist
Centres. Also,
in some cases,
we have a
problem with the
lack of
commitment from
our volunteers.
If you think of
all your
experiences in
the Spiritist
Movement in your
city and in your
region, what
comes up to your
mind?
The
responsibility
we bear helping
Jesus build the
Kingdom of God
on earth and
preparing the
planet for the
new phase of
regeneration. I
often think
about the
commitment we
have all made
and the job to
be done. That
gives me great
satisfaction. I
am glad to know
that I am part
of this group of
incarnate
Spirits who are
working
alongside the
Spiritual
Benefactors to
help build a
better world,
where love,
justice and
fraternity will
prevail.
Is there
anything else
you would like
to add?
I would like to
mention the
continuing
support from the
Spiritual
Benefactors and
all the
inspiration,
encouragement
and support,
which have never
deserted me.
That became very
clear when my
father passed
away. The
knowledge of the
Teachings, based
on all my
readings, was
the most
valuable asset
at that
difficult time.
It enabled me to
carry on and
gave me the
opportunity to
put into
practice all I
have read and
studied. The
wonderful thing
about Spiritism
is that nothing
is imposed on
us. It shows us
the way. We bear
responsibility
for our
decisions.
We are going
through very
special times.
We are here, on
earth, following
every step of
the transition
of the planet
from a world of
trials and
tribulations to
a planet of
regeneration.
After so many
centuries of
stagnation, we
are witnessing
amazing
development in
all areas:
social,
political,
economic,
cultural,
scientific etc.
Your final
thoughts,
please.
It comes to my
mind now the
guidance from
the Spirit of
Truth:
Spiritists, love
each other and
educate
yourselves. I
have come to
realise that the
education bit is
the easiest one,
especially with
all the
resources we
have these days.
But to love one
another is still
the biggest
challenge for
us, Spiritists.
However, by
persisting on
the pursuit of
good will and
inner reform, we
will leave the
“old man” in the
past and will
finally become
renewed men and
Christ will
finally live in
our hearts.
