Ubi caritas

General Information

The eighth (and final) antiphon for the rite of the Washing of the Feet on Maundy Thursday (= Holy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter). Antiphon, Mode 6, in the Liber Usualis, p. 675.

The original hymn was very long; only three verses are used in the rite. Its author is unknown, though the hymn is thought to have been written in France in the 10th century.

Settings by composers

• Douglas Brooks-Davies
• Maurice Duruflé (under copyright)
• Gregorian chant, a cappella
• Gregorian chant arr. Abel Di Marco
• Joseph G. Stephens

Original text and translations

Latin text

English translation

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

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

French translation

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Où charité et amour, Dieu là est

Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor.
rassembla nous en un seul du Christ l'amour

Exultemus et in ipso jucundemur
Exultons et en lui-même réjouissons-nous

Timeamus et amemus Deum vivum
Craignons et aimons Dieu vivant

et ex corde diligamus nos sincero.
et de coeur aimons nous sincère.

French translation

Là où sont la charité et l'amour, Dieu est présent.
L'amour du Christ nous a rassemblés et nous sommes un.
Exultons et réjouissons-nous en lui.
Craignons et aimons le Dieu vivant
et aimons-nous les un aux autres d'un coeur sincère.

English translation

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Where charity and love are, God is there.

Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor.
Christ's love has gathered us into one.

Exultemus et in ipso jucundemur
Let us rejoice and be pleased in Him.

Timeamus et amemus Deum vivum
Let us fear, and let us love the living God.

et ex corde diligamus nos sincero.
And may we love each other with a sincere heart.

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