Few lives in the twentieth century have embodied the ideal of charity and the spreading of the Gospel message as faithfully as that of Divaldo Pereira Franco. Affectionately known as the Sower of Stars, Divaldo devoted more than seven decades to consoling the afflicted, sheltering orphaned children and sowing the message of the Promised Comforter across the five continents.
Understanding his story means understanding why Mansão do Caminho, in Salvador, has become one of the places of greatest spiritual significance for those who travel in search of peace and learning.
From childhood in Feira de Santana to a mission in Salvador
Divaldo was born on 5 May 1927 in the city of Feira de Santana, in the interior of Bahia. Endowed with a rich mediumistic sensitivity from childhood, he faced misunderstanding until, in 1945, by then in Salvador, he was welcomed by Dona Nana, a medium who explained mediumship to him in the light of Spiritism as codified by Allan Kardec.
On 7 September 1947, together with his inseparable friend Nilson de Souza Pereira and other dedicated workers, he founded the Centro Espírita Caminho da Redenção, the institution that would provide spiritual support for one of the largest social works in Brazil.
The founding of Mansão do Caminho in 1952
Inspired by deep compassion for abandoned children, Divaldo and Nilson founded Mansão do Caminho on 15 August 1952. At first it took in children in substitute homes where Nilson and his collaborators acted as parent-educators. The institution then grew and came to occupy a tree-lined area of more than 78,000 square metres in the Pau da Lima district.
Today, Mansão do Caminho is a well-established model of community action and social promotion:
- Educational complex: Several school units, from nursery to secondary level, offering excellent education and moral formation.
- Comprehensive health care: Free outpatient and hospital care in dozens of medical specialities.
- Family support: Regular distribution of food, layettes for expectant mothers and vocational workshops.
A voice that echoed around the world
The public reach of Divaldo is striking: he gave more than 20,000 lectures and seminars in more than 70 countries, speaking in universities, parliaments and at the United Nations about peace and the meaning of human existence. Under the spiritual guidance of his mentor Joanna de Angelis, he wrote hundreds of books through psychography (mediumistic writing), with millions of copies sold, and the proceeds were donated in full to maintain his social works through Editora LEAL.
Divaldo completed his earthly journey on 13 May 2025, aged 98, leaving an unshakeable seedbed of hope and love for one's neighbour.
An invitation to celebrate the legacy in Salvador
The centenary of his birth, in May 2027, will bring together thousands of friends and admirers in the capital of Bahia. For those who wish to take part in this historic celebration and walk through the blessed gardens of Mansão do Caminho, Guatambu Travel is preparing complete caravans departing from Porto Alegre.
Visit our expeditions section or talk to our consultants on WhatsApp to find out more.
Sources and references
- Mansão do Caminho / Centro Espírita Caminho da Redenção: official biographical data and founding history.
- Editora LEAL: bibliographic catalogue of the works psychographed by Divaldo Franco.
- Federação Espírita Brasileira (FEB): institutional tributes and historical biography.
