Clerical Brothers: Hip priest swaps hymns for hooks to become superstar DJ
Everyone is entitled to a hobby – even priests.
One cleric has taken that another to level as he tours the world conducting raves, not choristers, for thousands.
Father Guilherme Peixoto, is a talented DJ who has performed at some of the world’s most famous clubs.
The Portuguese holy man is tearing it up in Latin America, filling venues from Columbia to Mexico, which is home to the world’s second-largest Catholic population.
Around 300 young clubbers and even a few priests came along to his most recent set in Monterrey, Mexico.
Father Peixoto said: ‘It’s a different energy and I think, in our life, the balance is very important.
‘We have time for silence, time to listen the voice of God… and also time to share the message of God.’
He was at the helm of the Monterrey rave until 2am, but when his set came to a close he shunned the afterparty for his bed.
That’s because he had to be up bright and early for mass at the city’s metropolitan cathedral, alongside the Archbishop Rogelio Cabrera.
The priest’s music has won him fans across the world, particularly among young people in Latin America where Catholicism is in decline.
The intense beats aren’t all fun and games, however, religion still plays an important role in the pastime.
He wants his tracks to bring a balance of ‘adrenaline’ and ‘contemplation’.
The beats are even layered with spiritual messages, such as ‘Lift up the fallen’ and ‘Protegeme Senor’ (‘Protect me, Lord’ in English).
If you find yourself in one of his rave venues, you’ll also see religious symbols such as videos of the late Pope Francis.
Mexican clubbers are also being shown images of the revered Virgin of Guadalupe.
The unlikely music career began two decades ago when Father Peixoto decided he had to get creative to pay off church debts.
He launched a ‘parish bar’ in Portugal, which quickly exploded in popularity, leading the minister to enroll in DJ scratching classes.
Peixoto said: ‘I always feel kind of gratitude because I know that is not normal for a priest (to have) this opportunity.’
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