Ubi Caritas

Last night, I posted a small list of music that is special to me. Among them is a work called, "Ubi Caritas." The lyrics speak of love, charity, and peace, concepts that seem in short supply in many parts of the world at present. With the war still going on in Iraq and now the struggles between Georgia and Russia, the words of "Ubi Caritas" take on greater importance to me. I decided to pass on the words of this song, as not everyone will be familiar with it, along with a bit of its history (per Wikipedia):

Latin text:

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

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.

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.

"Ubi Caritas" are the opening words to a Roman Catholic hymn and is usually sung during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The traditional music is believed to have come about sometime between the fourth and tenth centuries. The rendition that I have on my list is sung by Connie Dover; her version of the song is beautiful with an almost hypnotic rhythm to it. Even if you're not very religious (or not at all), I hope the message of love, charity, and peace makes this song worth taking to heart.