Challenges of Spiritist Assistencial Work: Two Patterns of Acting

Abstract

Spiritism is very much identified with charities in Brazil, which, in turn, plays an important role in social legitimation of this religious branch in the Twentieth Century. Sociologically, they constitute the materialization of Christian principal of charity, doctrinally considered in that field as the unique way to salvation. The Spiritist social assistance of major size occurs in mental hospitals and institutions of education for disabled, poor children, and young people. It takes also place in many worship and study centers, mainly, through the distribution of basic food baskets and trousseaux for newborn. This article summarizes the results of two research projects. The first one refers to Spiritist centers of Santa Catarina State, and the second one deals qith five assistential institutions of major size located at the cities of São Paulo, Garulhos, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi.