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Guilherme Peixoto, a Catholic priest and star of electronic music in Portugal, mixes faith and beats to convey the Church’s message to younger generations.
In a world where religion and popular culture often seem out of sync, one man in Portugal has found a way to reconcile them. Guilherme Peixoto, 50, is both a Catholic priest and an internationally renowned DJ. With his Roman collar and headphones on, “Padre Guilherme” has become an indispensable figure in the Portuguese electro scene.
For this unconventional priest, music is a tool for modern evangelization. “I feel more like a priest thanks to electronic music!” he confides. By mixing at festivals and clubs, he reaches a young audience that doesn’t attend church. “It allows me to meet the challenge set by the Church, not to shut ourselves in but to go towards others,” he explains.
However, Padre Guilherme has not abandoned his primary vocation. On Sunday mornings, he celebrates Mass before a packed church in Laundos, in northern Portugal. In sneakers and jeans under his chasuble, he embodies a Church in tune with its times.
His passion for music began very early, but it was during a trip to Afghanistan as a military chaplain that the idea of becoming a DJ took root. Back in Portugal, he enrolled in a DJ school in Porto to hone his skills. He then realized the power of electronic music to convey the message of Christ. According to him, it highlights “the joy of the Gospel, a message of hope and faith but also of tolerance, harmony, and peace.”
Padre Guilherme’s notoriety exploded last year when he mixed before 1.5 million pilgrims at the closing Mass of the World Youth Day in Lisbon, presided over by Pope Francis. Since then, he has been welcomed like a rock star wherever he goes. On Instagram, he is followed by more than 900,000 people.
During his sets, Padre Guilherme skillfully blends techno tracks with excerpts from speeches by John Paul II and Pope Francis. A style that appeals to the young. “This priest is really cool!” enthuses Andreia Borges, 26, after a selfie with him. “He manages to join two worlds that seem completely opposed,” adds Filipe Barroso, 32, a fan of electronic music.
Guilherme Peixoto’s journey illustrates the Church’s desire to adapt to its times. By using the codes of popular culture, this DJ priest manages to reach a generation that seemed to be drifting away from religion. His approach is praised by his parishioners and the crowds he makes dance.
While many religious institutions struggle to reinvent themselves, Padre Guilherme is forging an original path. Without renouncing his convictions, he demonstrates that faith can be lived in many ways. A message of openness and tolerance that resonates particularly in our time.
With AFP
