Ubi caritas

Ubi caritas is a hymn of the Western Church, long used as one of the antiphons for the washing of feet on Maundy Thursday. The Gregorian melody was composed sometime between the fourth and tenth centuries, though some scholars believe the text dates from early Christian gatherings before the formalization of the Mass. It is usually sung at Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and on Holy Thursday evening at the Mass of the Lord's Supper. The current Roman Catholic Missal (1970) reassigned it from the foot-washing mandatum to the offertory for the Holy (Maundy) Thursday mass, and it also is found in current Anglican and Lutheran hymnals.

The 1973 Roman Missal changed the first line of the hymn's stanzas. Now, the first line of each stanza reads "Ubi caritas est vera, Deus ibi est," after certain very early manuscripts. This translates to: "Where charity is true, God himself is there."

The well-known Taizé chant by Jacques Berthier (1978) uses only the words of the refrain, with verses taken from I Corinthians 13:2-8. Maurice Duruflé's choral setting makes use of the Gregorian melody, using only the words of the refrain and the first stanza.

A more recent version of the hymn for choir, entitled Ubi Caritas et Amor by University of Aberdeen professor Dr. Paul Mealor, was included in the ceremony at the 2011 Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine. [1][2]

Contents

Text

Latin Text English Translation French Translation German Translation
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor.
Exultemus, et in ipso jucundemur.
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.
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.
Là où sont la charité et l'amour, Dieu est présent.
Ne formons donc tous qu'un seul corps :
Ne soyons pas divisés de cœur, prenons garde.
Cessent les querelles méchantes, cessent les disputes.
Et que le Christ soit au milieu de nous.
Là où sont la charité et l'amour, Dieu est présent.
Qu'avec les bienheureux, nous voyions
Votre glorieux visage, ô Christ Dieu,
Joie immense et divine;
Pendant la durée infinie des siècles.
Ainsi soit-il.
Wo Liebe und Güte sind, da ist Gott.
Die Liebe Christi hat uns als eins versammelt.
Lasst uns freuen und fröhlich in ihm sein.
Lasst uns fürchten und lieben den lebendigen Gott.
Lasst uns einander aufrichtig von Herzen lieben.
Wo Liebe und Güte sind, da ist Gott.
Da wir also zugleich zu einem versammelt sind:
Nehmen wir uns in acht, dass wir nicht im Geiste getrennt werden.
Üble Zänkereien mögen aufhören, die Streitigkeiten (mögen) nachlassen.
Und in der Mitte von uns sei (der) Gott Christus.
Wo Güte und Liebe sind, da ist Gott.
Dass auch wir mit den Seligen schauen
dein Angesicht in Herrlichkeit, Christus Gott:
Die Freude, die übergroße und gute,
in nie endender Ewigkeit. Amen.

External links

References

  1. ^ "Composer’s delight at inclusion of his music service". The Herald (Scotland). April 29, 2011. http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/composer-s-delight-at-inclusion-of-his-music-service-1.1098632?localLinksEnabled=false. Retrieved 29 April 2011. 
  2. ^ "Paul Mealor to be performed at Royal Wedding". Univ. of York Music Press. 27 April 2011. http://www.uymp.co.uk/news.php?news_id=144. Retrieved 29 April 2011. 

See also

Where Love is, God is, the story by Tolstoy