María Guinand conducts the JCA Youth Choir (Ubi Caritas et Amor) - VIDEO

María Guinand conducts the Japan Choral Association Youth Choir in this astonishing concert performed on 14 March 2015 in the Hamarikyu Asashi Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

This sacred work belongs to the repertoire of the XXth century. The text Ubi Caritas is a hymn of the Christian Church long used as one of the antiphons for the washing of feet on the Maundy Thursday. The Gregorian melody was composed sometime between the fourth and tenth centuries and has been used in compositions by many authors throughout history. The American composer Morten Lauridssen created a beautiful and meditative motet using as a basis this Gregorian melody.

Lyrics

Ubi Caritas et Amor
Morten Lauridssen (1943-)

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.
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.