José Ribamar Teixeira de Souza

José Ribamar Teixeira de Souza discovered Santo Daime at the beginning of the 1960s, when he was still very young. He was sick and was taken by his father, Padrinho Wilson Carneiro, to Mestre Irineu, who scheduled three Healing Works. At the end of the work, he received his cure. From then on, his father took the whole family to follow the Master's teachings within the light of Santo Daime.

José spent a few years living in Amazonas and, after Mestre Irineu's death, returned to Alto Santo, in Acre. When Padrinho Sebastião founded his community in Colônia Cinco Mil, José followed him. He became Padrinho's driver, carrying out various jobs within the community.

In the Church, he became a terreiro inspector, a hall, a rocket operator, always with his teammates: Chico Corrente, Senhor Chagas, Manoel Corrente and Dario Ibaceta. A very disciplined and serious soldier, he liked everything well done. Always ready to work under the command of Padrinho Alfredo in the search for Jagube and Rainha within the community, he was also involved in planting fruit trees and farming.

When Padrinho Sebastião went to Rio do Ouro, José went along to recognize the place and move everyone who accompanied Padrinho. However, he remained at Cinco Mil with his father Wilson Carneiro and family, helping all the directors who served as president of the Center. He was even invited by Madrinha Rita and Padrinho Alfredo to assume the presidency of the Center, but he did not accept.

In the late 1980s, he migrated to the city, starting a professional career as a driver and continued working as an inspector and rocket driver. Years later, his father determined that from now on he would stay in the hall. Together with his wife Neucilene Santos and their children - Wilson Neto, Wilsiane, José Welliton and Wilcilene - José continued at Cinco Mil, helping his brothers, taking them to the doctor, doing shopping, etc.

Today, he is one of the oldest soldiers in the house, with more than 63 years of Doctrine. He remains contrite with his observant, disciplined manner and “straightforward” words. A good companion for everyone who seeks him. And as he says: “my Master is Jesus, Daime is the light! My godfather is Mestre Irineu and Padrinho Sebastião”.
And long live our old people!

Text: Wilsiane Santos