Views from the Choir Loft

The UBI CARITAS chant for Holy Thursday

Jeff Ostrowski · April 5, 2012

Here are six (6) different free versions of the “Ubi Caritas” for Holy Thursday. It will be noted that the Simple English Propers and Simple English Psalm Tones versions use the English translation found in Roman Missal, 3rd Edition.

Click here to download this PDF file.

Free Sacred Resources for Holy Thursday, Year B has a whole bunch more free resources, including the Pange Lingua.

Offertory (1 John 2: 3-4)

Ant. Ubi cáritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
OR:
Ant. Ubi cáritas est vera, Deus ibi est.

1. Congregávit nos in unum Christi amor.
2. Exsultémus et in ipso jucundémur.
3. Timeámus et amémus Deum vivum.
4. Et ex corde diligámus nos sincéro. Ant.

5. Simul ergo cum in unum congregámur:
6. Ne nos mente dividámur, caveámus.
7. Cessent júrgia malígna, cessent lites.
8. Et in médio nostri sit Christus Deus. Ant.

9. Simul quoque cum beátis videámus
10. Gloriánter vultum tuum, Christe Deus:
11. Gáudium, quod est imménsum atque probum.
12. Saécula per infiníta sæculórum. Amen.

Ant. Where charity and love are, there is God.
OR:
Ant. Where love is found to be authentic, God is there.

1. The love of Christ has gathered us together into one.
2. Let us rejoice and be glad in Him.
3. Let us fear and love the living God,
4. and love each other from the depths of our heart. Ant.

5. Therefore when we are together,
6. let us take heed not to be divided in mind.
7. Let there be an end to bitterness and quarrels, an end to strife,
8. and in our midst be Christ our God. Ant.

9. And, in company with the blessed,
10. may we see your face in glory, Christ our God:
11. pure and unbounded joy
12. for ever and for ever. Amen.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

“Reminder” — Month of April (2026)

On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)

Number 36 in the Brébeuf Hymnal is “At the Lamb’s high feast we sing,” an English translation for Ad Cenam Agni Próvidi (which was called “Ad Régias Agni Dapes” starting 1631). As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for it. Simply click here and scroll to the bottom. Many organists are forced to serve simultaneously as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult—which explains why choirmasters appreciate these simplified keyboard accompaniments. Sadly, many readers will click that link but forget to scroll to the bottom where the simplified PDF file is located.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Quasi Modo Sunday”

The Introit for “Quasi Modo Sunday” (12 April 2026) is particularly beautiful. The musical score can be downloaded as a PDF file, and so can the organ accompaniment. The official language of the Catholic Church is Latin (whereas Greek is our mother tongue). Vatican II said Gregorian Chant must be given “first place” under normal circumstances. As a result, some parishes will rightly sing the authentic version. On the other hand, because so many USA dioceses disobey the mandate of Vatican II, some musicians sing plainsong in the vernacular. I have attempted to simultaneously accompany myself on the pipe organ while singing the English version. Although very few take advantage of it, the complete Proprium Missae is posted at the flourishing feasts website.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Anima Christi”

I received a request for an organ accompaniment I created way back in 2007 for the “Anima Christi” Gregorian Chant. You can download this PDF file which has the score in plainsong followed by a keyboard accompaniment. Many melodies have been paired with “Anima Christi” over the centuries, but this is—perhaps—the most common one.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)

On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026

How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!

—Jeff Ostrowski

The literal translation: “Lord, have mercy—Christ, have mercy,” does not offer much material for an acceptable song text. The words, not having any feminine syllables, are abrupt; the sounds are almost all muted and colorless; the rhythmic flow is too brief. So many people may prefer responses that further extend the song of the assembly, e.g., “Have pity on us, Lord” or “Pardon us and change our hearts.

— J. Gelineau attacking the KYRIE ELEYSON (page 64 in “Learning to Celebrate,” 1985)