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hymn · medieval

Ubi Caritas

Traditional · 8th–12th century · tr. Traditional English liturgical

Ubi Caritas is the Mandatum antiphon of Holy Thursday — sung at the washing of the feet. Where charity and love are, God is there. Three stanzas from the Liber Usualis; Latin and traditional English are public domain. Pray it before any work that requires unity without softness, and before any quarrel you are tempted to win.

Latin · English

  1. 1

    Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor. Exsultemus et in ipso iucundemur. Timeamus et amemus Deum vivum. Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero.

    1

    Where charity and love are, God is there. Christ's love has gathered us into one. Let us rejoice and be glad in Him. Let us fear and love the living God. And may we love each other with a sincere heart.

  2. 2

    Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Simul ergo cum in unum congregamur: ne nos mente dividamur, caveamus. Cessent iurgia maligna, cessent lites. Et in medio nostri sit Christus Deus.

    2

    Where charity and love are, God is there. As we are gathered into one body, beware lest we be divided in mind. Let evil impulses stop, let controversy cease. And may Christ our God be in our midst.

  3. 3

    Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Simul quoque cum beatis videamus glorianter vultum tuum, Christe Deus: gaudium quod est immensum atque probum, saecula per infinita saeculorum. Amen.

    3

    Where charity and love are, God is there. And may we with the saints also see Thy face in glory, O Christ our God: the joy that is immense and good, unto the ages through infinite ages. Amen.

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    Chœur Grégorien de Paris

Holy Thursday Mandatum

Ubi Caritas belongs to the Mandatum — the washing of the feet at the Mass of the Lord's Supper. The refrain is the whole doctrine: where charity and love are, God is there. The verses gather the Church into one, warn against division of mind, and end looking toward the saints' vision of Christ's face.

Process with Pange Lingua; adore with Tantum Ergo and Adoro Te. After the Triduum, the Easter sequence is Victimae Paschali. Season: Passiontide chant.