June 30th, 2002 will be remembered not only as the day Brazil conquered its 5th World Cup championship but also as the day Francisco Candido Xavier left the terrestrial plane to join the spirit world. Born in 1910, the medium was responsible for channeling almost 500 books from hundreds of authors as well as writing thousands of letters from the deceased. The message published in the British newspaper The Guardian gives us an idea of his importance not only for the Spiritist (and Spiritualist) movement but also for the Brazilian society as a whole.

In our next issue we will discuss the medium, his missions and his commitment to the Spiritist Doctrine's precepts in more detail.

GEAE Editors.
 
 

TEXT

CHICO XAVIER
Brazil's leading medium, his many books were dictated by the dead

Alex Bellos
Guardian

Thursday July 11, 2002
 

On the day last month that the Brazilian football team won its fifth World Cup, one of the country's most famous religious leaders, Chico Xavier, died aged 92, of heart problems. Xavier had prophesied that he would die on a "day of celebration", so that the immense grief would be lessened by national happiness.

His prediction had been taken seriously. Xavier was Brazil's most respected medium, a position of great moral authority in a country where an estimated 20 million people believe in spiritism - a type of Catholicism based on telepathic communication with souls of the dead. Brazil has the world's largest spiritist population, and, in a career spanning 75 years, Xavier became its most important figure.

The information he communicated from beyond the grave was often regarded as fact. Once, in 1979, a man accused of murdering his best friend was set free because the judge accepted a witness statement from the dead friend which he had communicated telepathically via Xavier. The victim, said his friend, was innocent; he went on to reveal the identity of the real murderer.

Xavier was born into a poor family of nine brothers and sisters, in the suburbs of Belo Horizonte. By the age of four, he was hearing voices and having visions. His family thought he was possessed by the devil, and the local priest ordered him to say a thousand Ave-Marias, and to pay an additional penance of walking with a 15kg stone on his head.

But the voices continued and, as a teenager, Xavier began to study the teachings of Allan Kardec, a Frenchman whose spiritist ideas had already taken hold in Brazil. Xavier dedicated his life to using his aptitude as a medium to bring comfort to as many people as possible.

Even though barely educated, he published more than 400 books - the spirits of dead people dictated the texts to him telepathically. Poetry From Beyond The Grave (1932), for example, contained 259 poems revealed to Xavier by 56 dead Brazilian poets, including some famous ones.

Several people tried to prove he was a fraud, but no one succeeded. The widow of one of the poets even tried to sue him for royalties, but the court ruled in Xavier's favour, judging that "the [poet] is dead, and the dead have no rights."

The final word on the matter was given by the highbrow newspaper Estado de São Paulo. It observed that if the poems were not actually written by the dead poets, then, at the very least, Xavier should be sitting in the Brazilian academy of letters.

Even though the content of most of his other books was religious, Xavier also transcribed from the spirit world novels and works of philosophy and science. His books sold an estimated 25 million copies, the profits of which were all channelled into charity work. As a fingerprint expert with the Brazilian agriculture ministry, Xavier lived on meagre wages before drawing his state pension.

In 1959, he moved to the city of Uberaba, where he gave public telepathy sessions. His home became a pilgrimage site, and hundreds of thousands of Brazilians visited him, hoping to speak to someone in the spirit world. Celebrities often dropped in to see the medium, who always looked distinctive, with thick-lens glasses and a cap. He never charged for attending on the public. In 1981 and 1982, he was nominated for the Nobel peace prize. In recent years, Xavier's health began to deteriorate, although he never gave up meeting those who had travelled to see him. Among those who paid tribute to him were the Brazilian president and Islamic, Jewish and Christian religious leaders. For the two days of his wake, about 2,500 people an hour passed by his coffin.

Xavier's spiritual guide - his link with the spirit world - was called Emmanuel. According to the medium's writings, in Roman times Emmanuel had been Senator Publius Sentulus; he had been reincarnated in Spain as Father Damian, and later as a professor at the Sorbonne. Spiritists believe that Emmanuel is already being reincarnated into another Brazilian, to continue the spiritist mission.

· Francisco "Chico" de Paula Candido Xavier, medium, born April 2 1910; died June 30 2002
 
 

NEWS

On March 31, 1848, in a tiny, wooden cottage at Hydesville in a remote part of New York State, the two Fox sisters broke the veil and communicated with Spirit. Now, NSAC President, the Rev. Barbara Thurman has announced that a topographic map and the first stage plans for the development of the site where Modern Spiritualism was born, have been presented to the NSAC Board.

The plan was presented at the Spring meeting of the NSAC Board in Lily Dale by Terry De Vries of Triangle Design and Drafting. "The plans delineate the remains of the Fox cottage foundation, a parking area, and the placement of the Cadwallader monument and the Drummond graves, as well as pathways and benches," said Mrs. Thurman. "The remains of the Fox cottage foundation wall will require special consideration for its preservation. At this time an acrylic cover for the remains will be designed to protect this original part of the cottage."

The Cadwallader monument has become an historical artefact. The monument erected on the site December 15, 1927 by Mrs. Mercy Cadwallader, editor and publisher of "The Progressive Thinker" in Chicago. Simply, it told the story: The birthplace of Modern Spiritualism. upon this site stood the Hydesville Cottage, the home of the Fox sisters through whosre mediumship communication with the Spirit World was established March 31, 1948. There is no death, there are no dead.

After the monument suffered some abuse, it was removed to the Mississippi Valley Spiritualist Association Camp at Clinton, Iowa for safekeeping, and is being returned to Hydesville. The Rev. Cosie Allen is proposing the placement of an additional monument with the wording: "Dedicated to all Spiritualists past, present and future who came Home March 31, 1998. National Spiritualist Association of Churches."

The site was acquired by NSAC on March 31, 1998 -- the 150th Anniversary of Modern Spiritualism. "Much has taken place since the time of that acquisition," says the NSAC President. The property was cleared of vegetation, but some of the large trees were left in place. The property was seeded with grass last year, and this has created a lovely park-like environment of trees and lawn.

From:

NEWS FROM NSAC
The National Spiritualist Association of Churches
Edition: 34 -- Friday, July 12th 2002
Events in Modern Spiritualism, at home and around the world.
 
 

The International Survivalist Society was founded last April to desseminate scientific proof of survival after death. For those interested in the latest events in research the Society's website presents a wealth of topics through letters, articles, tapes, photographs and documents. It also presents a newsletter for subscribers on the latest developments in survival research. The website is http://www.survivalafterdeath.org/home.htm. Even as we write this, we have just received word there is a new article on The Scole Experiment posted on the website, and if you want to see some interesting photographs of Katie King in spirit go to http://www.survivalafterdeath.org/photographs.htm.

From:
NEWS FROM NSAC
The National Spiritualist Association of Churches
Edition: 34 -- Friday, July 12th 2002
Events in Modern Spiritualism, at home and around the world.
 
 

SPIRITIST GROUPS

The internet is an excellent opportunity to let others know about our belief. So, I am asking those who are our readers, if they are on the internet, can they pass the word about Spiritism?

When I visit a website that expresses similar beliefs as ours (i.e. communication with the spirit world, reincarnation, etc.)  I always introduce myself and ask them if they have heard of Spiritism codified by Allan Kardec. I also send them the principle Spiritist beliefs. The groups I have contacted have always responded politely. Some have asked further questions. For example, I contacted Beliefnet.com and they said they would research our belief and consider putting it on their website. As you may know, this is a popular website which describes many, many religious beliefs, including New Age beliefs. This website has been cited numerous times in newspapers and magazines across the country. Other sites have put me on their "emailing news list" and some organizations who have websites have asked for additional material and invited us to speak at their meetings.

Spiritist books are not in most book stores. We must get the word out as we can!!

Thanks - Yvonne

Edited by Yvonne Limoges
5042 22 Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL  33710
Email: ylimoges@aol.com

The Spiritist Society of Florida

To all Spiritist Friends

We would like to announce the address of the  web site of the first Spiritist group of Denmark. (GEEAK - The Allan Kardec Spiritist Group).

GEEAK Denmark
Att. Silas Villas-Boas
Skovsvinget 02
DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby
Denmark
Phone: +45 4084 8700
http://www.geeak-dk.org

"Only love can drive us from perturbation to harmony, from darkness to the light."

Emmanuel
 
 

SPIRIT WORD

The conqueror of bloody glories spreads terror and wreckage wherever he goes.
The astute politician sows seeds of distrust and doubts.
The unfair judge awakens destructive fears.
The rebel spreads clouds of subtle poison.
The blasphemer injects evil dispositions in the listeners, provoking pernicious chatter.
The slanderer extends threads of darkness on their paths.
The lazy person dulls the energies of those he encounters, injecting deadening energies in them.
The liar causes disturbances and insecurity along his own steps.
The joker inspires and encourages hilarious tales, simply by his presence.
All of us through our thoughts, words, and actions, create a distinct atmosphere that identifies us in
the eyes of others.

Simon Peter, who had accepted the Christ and consecrated himself to Him, had the sufferers and the sick seeking for his shadow for they found in it a special hope and relief, comfort and happiness. Examine the topics and the attitudes that your presence awakens in people. With careful observation you will discover the quality of your shadow, and if you are interest in acquiring the illuminative values with Jesus, it will be easy for you to find, your deficiencies and to correct them.

(Emmanuel - Our Daily Bread)

Extracted from the book FRATERNAL MEETING KNOW THYSELF. Translated by: Elza D’Agosto, J. Korngold and M. Levinson. From the original Portuguese version of Professor Rodriguez Ferreira. Centro Espírita Vicente de Paulo- Mirassol- SP, Brazil.

SPIRIT WORD THE ASTRAL CITY - "Nosso Lar"

A story of a doctor's odyssey in the Spirit World By Andre Luiz, through Francisco C. Xavier

(Translated from the 25th Portuguese edition entitled "Nosso Lar". First Portuguese edition published in 1944 by Federação Espírita Brasileira, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.)

Chapter 21 INTERESTING CONVERSATION

"Your words, Laura, arouse many questions. If you will pardon my curiosity...."

"Please don't say that," she answered kindly, "go on asking. Although I am not in a condition to teach, I can always inform...."

We both laughed at her remark, and then I inquired: "What about the problem of private property in the Colony? Does this house, for instance, belong to you?"

She smiled as she answered:

"Private property is relative here just as it is on Earth. Our acquisitions are made on the basis of working hours. The "hour-bonus" is, so to speak, our money. It is earned by our own effort and devotion, and may be exchanged for any commodity. The buildings, in general, represent common patrimony under government control. However, each spirit family may obtain a dwelling house (never more than one) on the presentation of thirty-thousand hour-bonus, which may be obtained during a certain period of work.

My husband, who arrived here long before me, acquired our house through his persevering efforts. We were physically separated for eighteen years, though we remained united spiritually. Richard, however, didn't remain inactive. As soon as he was brought to the Astral City, after a period of extreme perturbation, he realized the necessity of active work, and set out to prepare our future home. When I arrived, we settled together in the house for which he had so lovingly labored, and we were truly happy. My husband then set out to teach me all that he had learned.

On Earth I was left a widow when I was still very young. With the heavy responsibility of several children to raise, my struggle was intense. Working incessantly, I gave my little ones the best education I could, although they, too, had to become accustomed to hard work at an early age. I understood later that strenuous life had sheltered me against many dangerous temptations, sparing me much suffering and anguish in the Lower Zone. Physical fatigue and a healthy occupation on the material plane are valuable means of protection and ascension for the soul.

Meeting Richard again and resuming our loving union in a new home made me feel as if I were in heaven. For many years we led a life on undisturbed bliss, growing closer and closer to each other, and working, not only for our own evolution, but also cooperating constructively for the progress of others. After some time Lysias, Yolanda and Judith came to join us, thus increasing our happiness."

After a short pause, during which she seemed wrapped in thought, she proceeded in a more serious tone:

"The Earth awaits us, however. Though the present is joyful, the past demands restitution in order for the future to be in harmony with the Eternal Law. We can't pay our debts to the Earth with hour-bonus; we have to do it with the sweat of our brow in the fulfillment of its work. Because of our good will, our psychic visions are becoming clearer about our grievous past. The Eternal Law with its unfailing rhythm renders our return to the planet an absolute necessity."

These elucidations impressed me deeply. It was the first time since my arrival in the Colony that I had heard such forceful references to the subject of former lives.

"Laura," I exclaimed; "pardon me for interrupting, but I really am curious to know why, to this point, I haven't found out anything about my spiritual past. Am I free from physical bonds? Haven't I crossed the river of death? Did you remember your former existences soon after your arrival here, or did you have to wait for the action of time?"

"I certainly had to wait." She replied with a smile. "First you must rid yourself of all physical impressions. The scales of inferiority are extremely thick, and you must have a good mental balance to be able to recollect constructively. As a rule, we all have made clamorous errors in the cycles of eternal life. He who keeps the memory of a crime committed considers himself the unhappiest creature of the universe. On the other hand, he who remembers having been a victim thinks his misfortune is the greatest. So only souls who are sure of themselves are endowed with such a gift as the power of spontaneous recollection. Others are duly limited in their reminiscences, and if they attempt to break this rule, they may incur spiritual imbalance and insanity."

"But did you remember your past in the natural course of things?"

"I'll tell your," she went on patiently, "As my inner vision became gradually clearer, vague recollections began stirring in the depths of my mind, causing me great mental anguish. It happened that my husband also shared my spiritual condition, so we decided to consult Assistant Longbard. After having examined our impressions thoroughly, he sent us to the magnetizers in the Ministry of Elucidation. We were kindly received, and were taken to the Recording Department, where we all have our private files. Specialists of that Ministry advised us to spend all the time we could spare from our work for two years there, reading our own memoirs which spanned three centuries. The director of the Recollection Service wouldn't allow us to go back beyond that time because the remembrance of those distant epochs would be too much for us."

"And were the memoirs enough to help you remember your past?"

"No, the reading gave us only facts. After a long period of meditation meant to arouse our own inner realization, we were submitted, to our great surprise, to a series of psychic treatments geared at penetrating deeply into the emotional field of our recollections. Specialists in the subject applied magnetic passes [6] over our brains, arousing certain latent forces in us. Only then could Richard and I fully remember over three hundred years and realize how heavy our debts to earthly organizations still were."

[6] - Magnetic passes is a method by which an operator using both hands, rhythmically applies stroking movements, slightly away from the body, to manipulate the subject’s magnetic field. (Translator’s note).
 

Chapter 22 THE HOUR BONUS

Perceiving that a sad expression had veiled Laura's face at the mention of her husband, I changed the course of our conversation by inquiring: "What about the hour-bonus?" Is it some kind of currency?" My hostess' vague expression vanished, and she replied graciously:

"It isn't exactly money – it's more of an individual service coupon with acquisitive value."

"Acquisitive?" I asked wonderingly.

"Why not?" she continued, "Here in the Astral City the production of food and clothing belongs to the community. The Government House runs distribution departments from which these commodities are sent to the different Ministries. The central storehouse is common property.

"Everyone cooperates for the prosperity of the public welfare, as we all depend on it for our sustenance. However, those who work are granted certain privileges according to their merits. Each of the City's inhabitants receives the strictly essential provision of food and clothing, but those who earn hour-bonus are entitled to certain prerogatives in the community.

"The entity who cannot work may find shelter here, but only those who cooperate for the Colony's welfare may own their own private home. The idle will be provided with the essential clothing, but devoted workers will be able to satisfy their taste in dress. You see, inactive entities may, through the influence of friends, be lodged in our rest-homes or hospital-parks; however, only hard-working spirits who strive to gain hour-bonuses may enjoy the company of those they love, and attend places of entertainment and the different schools existing in all the ministries where precious teachings are delivered by wise instructors.

"It is necessary for us to learn the price of each improvement in the scale of spiritual ascent. All of us on the working staff of the colony must contribute at least eight hours of useful service per day. But there is so much to be done in the different sectors that the Government House allows those who are really willing to cooperate to put in four extra hours a day. Thus, many people earn as much as seventy two hour-bonuses a week, not counting those earned in sacrificial missions when remuneration is doubled and sometimes tripled."

"But is the hour-bonus the only standard of remuneration?"

"Yes, it is the only one we have here, and it is applied to all workers in the Astral City, in both high and low positions."

Recalling earthly organizations, I inquired curiously:

"But how can you reconcile the payment with the nature of the work? If a minister, for instance, receives eight hour-bonuses in an ordinary day, what will a driver receive? The same compensation? Isn't the former work of a higher nature than the latter's?"

My hostess smiled at my question and explained:

"It all depends. In positions of responsibility as well as in humble ones, if the work requires self-sacrifice and abnegation, the corresponding remuneration is properly calculated. However, to give a more thoughtful answer to your question, it's first necessary to discard certain earthly prejudices altogether. The nature of work is a problem of the utmost importance, but only on Earth does its solution present such great difficulties.

"Most incarnate men are still trying their first steps in the spirit of service and learning simple, elementary lessons in the performance of their missions in the different walks of life. It's essential that earthly remunerations be fixed with scrupulous care. All material earnings are but transitory acquisitions. Yet we often see people obsessed by profit, who, on passing over, leave enormous fortunes to be recklessly dissipated by their heirs. Others accumulate bank accounts that become the cause of endless worries to themselves and a source of discord in their families.

"On the other hand, we must keep in view the fact that seventy percent of the earthly executives are still far from being conscious of the moral responsibilities inherent to their positions, and that the same may be said of an approximately equal percentage of those toiling under their direction. The majority of them spend their lives pleading lack of professional enthusiasm, yet it would never enter their heads to doubt their right to the remunerations corresponding to the positions they so inadequately hold."

Governments and firms employ doctors, who neglect their sacred duty, turning to other channels of activity instead. Workmen pride themselves in wasting the time for which they are paid. Where is the quality of work? In all sectors of public life, in both high and low positions, one finds experts who have never fully realized the responsibility of their obligations, and who, like poisonous flies on bread, avail themselves of magnanimous laws to claim all sorts of facilities, bonuses, and pensions. You may be sure, however, that they will pay a bitter price for their carelessness. The time seems to be still distant when the Earth's social institutions will be able to evaluate the quality of man's work, but in the higher spirit plane, work is never assessed without taking into consideration the moral effort exerted."

These words awakened a new train of thoughts in my mind. Seeing how interested I was in the subject, Laura continued to speak:

"The real profit must be of a spiritual nature, and in our organization the actual value of the hour-bonus varies according to the nature of the work performed. Thus, in the Ministry of Regeneration we have the Regeneration hour-bonus, in the Ministry of Elucidation we have the Elucidation hour-bonus, and so on. Spiritual merit is always taken into account, so our individual service files specify the essence of our work.

"Fundamental acquisitions include experience and education, an increase in divine blessing, and the extension of opportunities. According to that point of view, assiduity and abnegation are by far the most important factors. As a rule, most of us in this Colony of transition go through a time of preparation for our return to the Earth. Hence, it's obvious that a man who devoted five thousand hours to redeeming tasks should have achieved a great measure of sublime effort on his own behalf; one who worked six thousand hours in the Ministry of Elucidation will have become wiser. We may spend our bonuses as we please; however, our individual file with its record of the time we spend in useful service, is still a more valuable asset to us, as it entitles us to all sorts of privileges."

My curiosity seemed to know no bounds as I continued to ask questions on the subject:

"May we spend hour-bonuses on behalf of friends?"

"Certainly," she answered, "we may share the fruit of our efforts with whomever we please. It's every faithful worker's inalienable right. Thousands and thousands of people here in the Astral City have benefited from the fruits of friendship and brotherly devotion.

Lysias' mother smiled as she continued her observations:

"The longer our period of useful service, the greater the number of intercessions we are allowed. Here, we cannot help realizing that everything has its price, and that in order to receive we must give. Asking, therefore, is a most significant thread in the fabric of our lives, for only those who have attained a certain spiritual status are in the position to ask favors and dispense help."

"And what about inheritance?" I inquired abruptly.

"It's a simple matter here," she replied with a smile, "For instance, in my own case, the time is drawing near when I shall have to return to the physical sphere. Well, I possess at the present moment in my service account, three thousand Assistance hour-bonuses. I may not leave them to my daughter who is about to arrive, as they will have to revert to the community. The only thing my family will inherit is the home. However, my service record entitles me to intercede on her behalf, procuring work and friendly cooperation for her, and precious assistance for myself from our colony's organizations during my stay on the physical sphere. Besides, I shall return to Earth endowed with a higher degree of experience, acquired during my years of cooperation in the Ministry of Assistance, which should contribute to the hoped-for success of my new human existence."

I was about to express my admiration for the simple process of earning, profiting, cooperating and serving, in comparison with the prevailing principles on Earth, when I heard the low murmur of voices approaching the house. Before I could make my remark, Laura declared:

"Here are our dear ones back."

And she went to welcome them.