Michael's Music Service

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Paul Benoit (1893–1979)

Ubi Caritas Back

The chant melody of “Ubi caritas” is of unknown origin and the text is from the liturgy for Maundy Thursday. Its refrain means “where charity and love are, God is there.” Dom Paul Benoit, OSB, was an organist, composer, and Roman Catholic priest who lived in the Benedictine community at the Abbey of St Maurice and St Maur in Luxembourg. His works are inspired by Gregorian chant and the impressionism of Debussy and Ravel. His setting of this chant is charmingly beautiful.