This can be found in the 1920 St. Gregory Hymnal, no. 131, p. 204. PDF of the page attached (which I only have in two parts).

An even better arrangement, and text, are in Rev. Rossini's "Parish Hymnal". Here it is from my Finale. I have the TIF of the melody only that I'll post tomorrow.

The tune is saccharine, and the words reflect a highly individualistic, subjective piety. Its suitability for use at first communion is, at best, doubtful. If the members of your congregation knew it and loved it, you would, perhaps, be justified in using it. But TEACHING it to them is another matter.

Why not teach them a more objective, theologically-richer eucharistic hymn such as "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus," (to Hyfrydol) or "Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor" (to Bryn Calfaria or to the tune especially composed for this text by Healey Willan)? Surely you are not avoiding these hymns because they happen to have been written by Anglicans.

I have a TIF file, melody and text only, suitable for insertion in any work processor document. But the Forum software won't let me upload it. Please email me, and I'll send a copy along by reply email.

IMO, "saccharine" is a bit strong, and certainly subjective. Back in the 1960s, saccharine was also are man-made replacement for fructose and other processed sugars. Today many people prefer pure cane sugar, and cut rather than ground. There! That's my mixing of metaphors for the day!

Completely off-topic, I loved the word "treacly" as a pejorative until I discovered that the British call molasses "treacle."

I will not brook disrespect to molasses.

I don't want to start a fight or anything, but I am unanimous in this..... ;o)

(Save the Liturgy, Save the World)

LisaMH -- a schola in Tacoma? Please tell where! I'm in Colorado, but both my wife and I are from Tacoma, and we visit family frequently.

(Lisa, feel free to email me. And everyone -- sorry for the "public" personal post here -- I don't see an email address for Lisa.)

just too morbid for kids to sing

Huh? "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death."

Do any real hymns of the Roman liturgy (i.e., office hymns) contain anything that sounds so Victorian/Romantic, so self-dramatizing?

None of the Office hymns are devotional acts, like the Anima Christi or O Deus, ego amo te. This part of the hymn is not a "look at all the wonderful things I am doing" litany, but an act of consecration, albeit a very simple one. Simple does not mean un-Catholic or uneducated in the Faith, as we can all learn from the Doctor of the Little Way. This is a wholly orthodox, popular devotional hymn. This hymn is not my personal favorite, but undoubtedly suitable where pastorally appropriate, e.g. when there is no choir, or when children are singing.

To me, this hymn is reminiscent of Sunday School hymnody. And for many Catholics, this is what represents "traditional church music."

Interestingly, it was programmed at a Mass today in my church along with "Let There Be Peace of Earth." The choir sang "Jesus, Jesus" with great delight; the congregation had "Peace on Earth." And I remembered my training in musical theatre and delivered the best accompaniment I could.

Thank you for the additional feedback.

I agree that the hymn is saccharin but it was suggested by a schola member and I had no good reason to refuse the request and risk hurt feelings in a relationship that has "history". I also get relatively little "interference" in choosing music so tend to look at requests like this as potential Holy Spirit moments - unless there is something objectively incorrect.

I trust the Holy Spirit to work on many levels and with many tastes and Father was very very pleased. At our parish even the musically sensitive and liturgically educated are so grateful for what they do NOT have to put up with (This is the Seattle Archdiocese) that they cut us plenty of slack. We regularly sing about 80% of the Adoremus Hymnal so I hope there is plenty of musical and theological "food" for mind and soul.