UBI CARITAS

Jude Nnam’s "Ubi Caritas" is a deeply moving setting of the traditional Mandatum texts, composed specifically for the Washing of the Feet liturgy on Holy Thursday. Rather than using the original Latin throughout, this arrangement brings the scriptural narrative to life in clear, accessible English. It allows the congregation and choir to reflect directly on Christ’s act of humble service in the Upper Room.

The piece is structured with a narrative opening that recounts Jesus pouring water into a basin, leading into a poignant refrain where Peter’s hesitation is met with Christ’s gentle but firm response. The subsequent verses draw from the Gospel of John, delivering the new commandment to love one another. As the choir sings these familiar words, the music carries a quiet reverence that perfectly matches the solemnity of the Holy Thursday liturgy.

For a choir director preparing for the Easter Triduum, this composition offers a wonderful balance of storytelling and devotion. The straightforward solfa notation and call-and-response structure make it highly effective for the moment the priest washes the feet of the parishioners. It is a gentle reminder to the whole church that true leadership is found in service, and that the greatest of all virtues is love.