Fr. Arnel dC Aquino SJ: Jesuit Music At Its Finest

I remember hearing Jesuit songs from my eldest sister’s room on a daily basis, when I was still in high school. Some early noteworthy Jesuit albums that I have heard are The Best Of Himig Heswita, Hangad, and Far Greater Love.

It was only when I stepped into college that I learned why I have come to love their music portfolio. Aside from the uniquely uplifting melodies, Jesuit music has kept its fire burning, through a group of musically-inclined priests from the Society of Jesus. One of the composers turns out to be my second degree cousin, Fr. Arnel de Castro Aquino, SJ.

As featured on the Jesuit Communications Foundation website:

Fr. Arnel AquinoFr. Arnel dC Aquino SJ wrote “Pagsibol” and “Ito Ang Araw” while at Sacred Heart Novitiate, and began another tradition of Jesuit Music for Meditation with the LAUDS series. He studied classical piano for twelve years in Davao City where he was born. He began in music studies when he was in second grade and was actively involved in the choir of the Ateneo student Catholic Action as a “teacher”, conductor, flutist and guitar accompanist. Arnel, infers predominantly from the work of David Haas and Dan Schutte for the liturgical music he has recently been creating. Arnel has his chief achievements has been his albums – Lauds I- VI his performance on the keyboard has generated some of the most memorable and inspiring religious instrumental music this side of the world has heard. His dream is to be able to arrange Jesuit liturgical music for a symphony orchestra and to conduct a one-hundred-voice choir.

Fr. Aquino has been sharing scriptural thoughts and church preachings through his magnificent music. I hope his penchant for music continues to inspire people. Thank you for the music, Kuya Arnel!

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8 comments

  1. Hi! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! WOW! God bless you always! I just found this as a friend mentioned it to me. Thank you so much! –Kuya Arnel

  2. I have been an admirer and lover of Jesuit liturgical, sacred, and inspirational music since I heard them in Elementary (Grade) school, and I love all their music.

    But for me, the compositions and songs written by Fr. Arnel de Castro Aquino are the best of the best, ever, in that repertoïre.

    His compositions, such as the “Pag Sibol”, “Pagka Kaibigan”, “Ito Ang Araw”, and “Kordero ng Diyos” (of the “O Bayan Ng Diyos” album) are my favourite songs in the entire Philippine Jesuit repertoïre, and I consider these compositions la crème de la crème of the panoply of amazing Jesuit musical compositions. ☺ ♥ ☼

  3. I need to buy the satb score for Psalm 84, How Lovely is yourt dwelling place, can anyone tell me where I can get it please.

  4. Please support Jesuits by buying Bukas Palad’s God of Silence songbook. There’s the How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place score by Fr. Arnel, SATB score arranged by Sir Palan Reyes. P300 lang po in any Tanging Yaman stores.

  5. We are Cebu-based choir and we love Fr. Arnel’s Dwells God album and all Jesuit style of inspiritional music. Our dream is to conquer the entire Cebu with their songs. Thanks for the music Fr. Arnel. Can’t wait for your latest album! If possible can you please make a piano solo scores for LAUDS series? I’d love to buy it…thanks

  6. Fr Arnel Aquino,
    where can I purchase the music sheet of hymn: “You Lift My Heart” (Prayer of St Therese of the Child Jesus);
    I am not in PI, but please lead me to the store or publication to acquire a set of your music.

    Thank you for your wonderful piece.
    Emilie

  7. Thank you thank you to his music and Spotify. Playing his Jesuit music every morning is a blessing.

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