Remembering 9/11

I was listening to Pandora earlier and one of my favorite choral pieces, "Ubi Caritas" by Maurice Duruflé popped up on the player. I remember singing it for the first time in college with the University of South Florida Chamber Singers. It's simply beautiful in both melody and lyric. I thought it was appropriate to share on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. It's believed the Gregorian melody was composed some time between the 4th and 10th centuries, proving that the text truly has lasted "unto ages through infinite ages."

Latin Text

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.

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.

For your listening pleasure, I included a YouTube video featuring The Cambridge Singers singing "Ubi Caritas."