Patrícia Jaza de Freitas (photo), from the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte, lives in Bridgeport, Connecticut (United States). She has a degree in Tourism and volunteers at the Renascer (Rebirth) Spiritist Society -- SER, where she coordinates the study groups. In the following interview, she speaks about her experience in the Spiritist Movement in the United States, where she has lived for more than twenty years. 

When and how did you become a Spiritist?

I came for the first time to SER in the first half of 2003 and never stopped attending the weekly study groups and, eventually, other activities available. My first main contact with Spiritism was in 1988, when a friend gave me The Spirits Book as a present. It was a beautiful edition, with a leather cover and a zipper. Even though I felt a strong connection with Spiritism, based on stories that my friend had already told me, I admit that I was a bit puzzled by the first question of the book: “What is God?” I browsed the book and eventually put it back on the shelf. I began reading other Spiritist books and the more I read, the more connected I felt with their stories, which showed how good and fair God is. Fifteen years later, out of curiosity I searched for a Spiritist Centre in the US and found SER. It was then a small group with a few members who met weekly to study the books of Allan Kardec. That’s when I began understanding the depth, beauty and moral high ground that are at the core of Spiritism. I was then in the early stages of my first pregnancy and I felt in my heart that the gift of maternity had led me towards Spiritism -- a reunion with the most sublime values from both sides of life. Spiritism came to me along with maternity: two precious and divine gifts that have changed my life for the better.  

Which aspect of Spiritism strikes you the most?

Its love ethic. I believe that Spiritism is “the future of religion,” precisely because of its rationale and principles, which are founded on love. Divine justice is no longer something to fear. It becomes a friendly compass that helps us readjust our journey towards spiritual development. It invites us to replace sadness, fear and resentment with the virtues of gratitude, faith, resignation and courage. In my view, Spiritism is a repeat of the invitation that Jesus made to Publio Lentulus almost two thousand years ago. It is a guideline that helps the old man inside us make peace with the new man.

How did you move to the United States?

I always felt that I would live abroad one day. I didn’t know anyone who lived in another country, apart from a former university friend. I was also disillusioned with Brazilian politics in 1998 and decided then to “visit” the United States. I came without any plan or project in mind. I got my visa and paid US$300 for a return plane ticket. A week after landing here, I was already employed and earning a good salary. When I look back, it feels like I was “deported” from Brazil. Everything happened so quickly and so smoothly! I think I took too long to listen to the plan that God had for me. I was happy in Brazil, in spite of all the problems there, and I am also happy here. I have realised that our happiness cannot be associated with the lack of challenges in our lives. 

Once you were in the United States, how did you find your way into the SER Spiritist Centre?

When I joined SER, it was only a few months old. Like all beginnings, it was based more on courage than experience. The founder, Cida Nazareth, opened her house’s basement for the weekly meetings. At the time, all we did was to study the core books. After a while, with the support of other Spiritists in the US and in Brazil, we were able to organise a healing seminar. Later, we began to offer healing at the end of our public meetings on Fridays. We felt the need to raise funds in order to acquire our own space and we created GAP - Prosperity and Action Group. We worked during the summer cleaning houses and windows and donated to SER the money we were paid. We were for some time moving from place to place until we managed to buy and decorate a simple house. We met and held our activities there for many years. We are now in a new and better location. Many of those pioneers from our Group have already returned to Brazil. But we are a very united group of people and we have immense gratitude for those who were here before.

Is there any particular memory that you would like to share with us from all these years in the Spiritist Movement?

It’s very difficult to pick a particular memory. Spiritism is a fountain of light that has this amazing power to enlighten ignorance and clear all the fears and doubts from our soul. Being a Spiritist demands hard work and perseverance. “You can recognise a true Spiritist by their moral transformation and the efforts they make to control and overcome their negative tendencies.” I think that as important as understanding the meaning of this quote [from The Spirits Book] is to be able to forgive yourself every time you fall and to get up as many times as necessary. No guilt, no excuses. Only the honest desire to develop your own virtues and qualities. There’s a huge number of friendly Spirits out there helping us follow the path of the righteous.