“Pro Infantia Caritas”. Charity in favor of childhood. Does that motto resonate with you? It is the guiding principle of the Centro Espirita Padre Zabeu.
Founded on January 7 1945 the Centro Espirita Padre Zabeu has a rich history. It began in the Santana neighborhood of Sāo Paulo. A group studying mediumship received guidance from their spiritual mentor Padre Zabeu.
During a spiritual meeting Padre Zabeu instructed two assistants. He told them to go to the Santana street market one Saturday. They were to go as the vendors were packing up. Their task was to follow two specific children. The assistants questioned the request. However they decided to obey.
That Saturday the assistants arrived as the vendors prepared to leave. They saw a boy and a girl. The children were gathering discarded vegetables from the ground. The assistants understood these were the children Padre Zabeu meant. They followed them. The children led them to a shack. Inside they found a sick widow lying on the floor. She had a large wound on her leg. She explained her plight to the men. She was poor and her children foraged for food to make soup.
Moved the assistants summoned a doctor. They provided money for the woman’s immediate needs. At the next spiritual meeting they shared the story. Padre Zabeu revealed many others suffered nearby. He proposed creating an organization. This organization would offer material and moral support. Thus the Centro Espirita Padre Zabeu was born.
Soon after its founding many volunteers built the institution’s headquarters in Vila Paiva Sāo Paulo. Over the years the Centro Espirita Padre Zabeu expanded its services. It began offering medical and dental care. They added therapeutic massages and acupuncture. The center distributed food and clothing. They even assembled layettes for babies and pregnant women. All activities are supported by donations. Volunteers give their time and effort. The Centro Espirita Padre Zabeu receives no government funding.
For almost forty years the Centro Espirita Padre Zabeu was known for materialization meetings. These meetings adhered to Spiritist Doctrine and Christian principles. Padre Zabeu and his team appeared before crowds. They brought comfort and enlightenment through the mediumship of Mr. Lúcio Cosme. In the early 1980s materialization activities ceased. The medium passed away years later.
Today the Centro Espirita Padre Zabeu continues its doctrinal work. They offer systematic study of Spiritism. There are lectures and spiritual passes. They provide children’s evangelization and other activities. The Centro Espirita Padre Zabeu remains a beacon of hope and support. Its address is Avenida Conceição 962/966 Sāo Paulo. The phone number is (11) 2901-2432.
The story of the Centro Espirita Padre Zabeu reminds us of the power of compassion. It shows how a simple act of kindness can grow into a lasting legacy of help. Remember “Pro Infantia Caritas” as you leave. Carry the spirit of charity with you.