Ubi Caritas

The ancient prayer Ubi Caritas has found it's way into hearts of Christians around the world through several beautiful musical settings of the text. It is often prayed or sung at worship services on Maundy Thursday (Good Friday in some Protestant traditions), particularly at the service or remembrance of foot-washing. Yet it is also appropriate to pray and sing year round.

Click on the highlighted link here to listen while you read this prayer. . . 


Ubi Caritas - Paul Mealor (composer) sung by Tenebrae

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 in one.

Exsultemus, 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.

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 in one.

Deus ibi est. Ubi caritas amor. Amen.

   God is here, love and charity are here. Amen.

Ubi caritas amor. Amen.

   Where charity and love are. Amen.

Christ Washing the Disciples Feet - Lucas Cranach the Elder [PD]

Here is the entire prayer, in Latin, English, and French. 

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.

Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor.

Exsultemus, 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.

Here is the Durufle setting sung by the Atlanta Symphony Chorus.