Spiritism in Brazil

As I said before, Allan Kardec's books were well accepted in Brazil's society, but another man made Spiritism the one of the most popular religions in that country. His name is Francisco Candido Xavier.

Chico Xavier, born Francisco Cândido Xavier (April 2, 1910 - June 30, 2002) was a popular medium in Brazil´s spiritism movement who wrote numerous books, ostensibly using a process known as "psychography".

He was born in the city of Pedro Leopoldo, State of Minas Gerais and is popularly known as "Chico Xavier" (Chico is the Brazilian nickname for Francisco). His hand was said to be guided by spirits that wanted to leave a written message, or sometimes entire books. Xavier's spiritual guide was called Emmanuel.

Some of his books are considered by Brazilian spiritist followers to be fundamental for the comprehension of the practical and theoretical aspects of Allan Kardec's doctrine. As reported by Xavier, his spiritual guide Emmanuel specifically warned him that if any teaching seemed to be in contradiction with Jesus Christ's or Allan Kardec's teachings, that he should stay with Jesus Christ and Allan Kardec. Xavier believed that the message of Spiritism belonged to the world. He often stressed the point that none of the abilities attributed to him were really his, but that he was only a channel for the work of the spirits; that he was not able to produce any miracle, such as healing people, and he could not contact someone that was dead, unless that person was willing to be contacted.

His appearances on TV talk shows in the late 1960s and early 1970s helped to establish Kardecist Spiritism as one of the religions professed in Brazil. Xavier's popularity remained unchanged in Brazil throughout his life. Despite his health problems (general weakness as a consequence of old age), he kept working up to his death, on June 30, 2002 in Uberaba.

Chico Xavier wrote more than 400 books inspired by spirits in a wide range of subjects, and in several different literature styles. Poems, novels, scientific work, and more.

He became an icon in Brazil's Spirituality and History.
Peace!