Mandatum novum do vobis (A new commandment I give unto you) is the first Gregorian chant antiphon sung during the Washing of the Feet on Maundy Thursday, which occurs after the stripping of the altars.
The text of this antiphon is taken from the Gospel of St.
John 13:34, while the psalm verse is taken from
Psalm 118:1. The rubrics of the
Mandatum can be seen in the
1923 Office of Holy Week (Officium Majoris Hebdomadae), which contains all the Latin prayers, rubrics and chant sheet music for the pre-1955 Holy Week of the Latin Rite, which is the Holy Week before the reforms of Pope Pius XII. The
Mandatum and its rubrics can be seen on p. 242/236
here (1).
Mandatum novum do vobis is here interpreted by the Benedictine Monks of
Santo Domingo de Silos in Spain.
Listen to Mandatum Novum Do Vobis
Lyrics:
Latin text:
Mandatum novum do vobis:
Ut diligatis invicem:
Sicut dilexi vos,
Dixit Dominus.
Ps. 118:1
Beati immaculati in via,
Qui ambulant in lege Domini.
English translation (2):
A new commandment I give unto you:
That you love one another:
As I have loved you,
Said the Lord.
Ps. 118:1
Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
Who walk in the law of the Lord.
