Finding the Divine in Charity and Love
Over the past few weeks, normalcy has been dashed around the globe.
Like many of you, I have been inspired and humbled by the kindness and grace so many have exhibited in the face of uncertainty and abject change. I have also been moved to see so many people finding solace and community through art and music.
For this installment, I am sharing a piece of my music.
Here is Susquehanna’s University Choir singing my setting of Ubi Caritas.
Ubi Caritas is a Roman Catholic (not my tradition, but a beautiful sentiment) prayer.
The current text is three stanzas taken from a much longer 10th-century poem by an anonymous French author. This prayer is used as the final antiphon for the celebration of Mandatum on Maundy Thursday, which is the service that commemorates Christ washing his disciple’s feet.
The essential meaning of the prayer is that we find the divine where we find love and charity. That has certainly been the case in recent days.
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.
Translation
Where charity and love are, God is there.
The love of Christ has gathered us as one.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Let us fear and love the living God,
And let us love one another with a sincere heart.
Where charity and love are, God is there.
Therefore, let us come together as one,
Let us be careful not be divided.
Let us end quarrels and strife,
And let Christ be in our midst.
Where charity and love are, God is there.
May we also see with the blessed
The glory of your face, O Christ.
Let there be immense and worthy joy:
For ages through infinite ages. Amen.