Attributed to Paulinus of Aquileia, 8th century

Ubi Caritas — Where Charity and Love Are

The Holy Thursday antiphon of the washing of the feet

LatinEnglish

℟. Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.

℟. Where charity and love are, God is there.

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

The love of Christ has gathered us into one.
Let us rejoice and be glad in him.
Let us fear and love the living God,
and love one another with a sincere heart.
℟. Where charity and love are, God is there.

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.

When therefore we are gathered into one,
let us take heed not to be divided in mind.
Let malicious quarrels cease, let strife be ended,
and in our midst be Christ our God.
℟. Where charity and love are, God is there.

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

With the blessed may we also see
thy face in glory, O Christ our God:
a joy that is boundless and true,
for endless ages of ages. Amen.

SourceAttributed to Paulinus of Aquileia, 8th century · The Holy Thursday antiphon of the washing of the feet

The history of this prayer

The Ubi caritas is one of the antiphons the Church has sung for centuries at the washing of the feet on Holy Thursday, when the priest washes the feet of some of the faithful in memory of what Jesus did at the Last Supper. The text is attributed to Saint Paulinus of Aquileia, around 796, and the Gregorian melody also seems to date from the late eighth century.

In the Missal of Paul VI it may also be sung at the procession of the gifts at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Its second typical edition (1975) changed the refrain to “Ubi caritas est vera, Deus ibi est” (“Where charity is true”), following very early manuscripts; the text given here is the traditional form.

The stanzas draw out the consequence of the new commandment: if the love of Christ has gathered us into one, let quarrels cease and let Christ be in our midst.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Ubi Caritas sung?

On Holy Thursday, at the washing of the feet, and also at the procession of the gifts at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. It may be sung at other times too.

Who wrote the Ubi Caritas?

It is attributed to Saint Paulinus of Aquileia, around the year 796.

What does Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est mean?

“Where charity and love are, God is there” — an echo of 1 John 4:16, “God is love”.

More prayers: Hymns

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