Act II, Scene 3

ACT II

Scene 3

SETTING: The confessional area in St. James the Lesser Catholic Church. There are kneelers placed so that students can use them right before and right after their confession is heard. The confessional is center stage, "like three Gothic phone booths." The priest's center area has a door on it with frosted glass; the students' areas that flank the priest's area on either side are open to viewing. The priest hears the confession of the penitent on one side, then the one on the other.

AT RISE: As they ENTER, the GIRLS are handed a Kleenex and bobby pins by SISTER RAPHAEL to cover their heads. Students form a line on each side, waiting to go into the confessional: boys in one line, girls in the other. Each student kneels and prays before going in. Students go into the compartment, "shut the door", and kneel down. After their confession is heard, students again go to a kneeler for reflection or to do their penance. TOMMY comes rushing in last. HE goes to the end of the boys' line.

(MUSIC starts)

26 “CONFESSION”

SELECTED

OOO…

I CONFESS THAT I HAVE SINNED EXCEEDINGLY IN THOUGHT,

WORD AND DEED, THROUGH MY FAULT,

THROUGH MY FAULT, THROUGH MY MOST GRIEVOUS FAULT.

THEREFORE I BESEECH

BLESSED MARY, EVER VIRGIN,

BLESSED MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

BLESSED JOHN THE BAPTIST,

THE HOLY APOSTLES, PETER AND PAUL,

AND YOU, FATHER, TO PRAY TO THE LORD OUR GOD FOR ME.

SELECTED

THROUGH MY FAULT, THROUGH MY FAULT, THROUGH MY MOST GRIEVOUS FAULT.

PENITENT 1

(Spoken)

I don’t quite understand some of the Catholic teachings. Like, “There is only one God, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.”

PENITENT 2

Each is a separate part of an indivisible whole.

PENITENT 1

I don’t get it. But I’m sure that by doing a little work and having my faith tested once in a while, I’ll be more worthy to enter the Kingdom of God.

PENITENT 3

Bein’ Cath’lic ain’t for sissies.

(Sing)

ALL

I CONFESS THAT I HAVE SINNED EXCEEDINGLY IN THOUGHT,

WORD AND DEED, THROUGH MY FAULT,

THROUGH MY FAULT, THROUGH MY MOST GRIEVOUS FAULT.

THEREFORE I BESEECH

BLESSED MARY, EVER VIRGIN,

BLESSED MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

BLESSED JOHN THE BAPTIST,

THE HOLY APOSTLES, PETER AND PAUL,

AND YOU, FATHER, TO PRAY TO THE LORD OUR GOD FOR ME.

SELECTED

THROUGH MY FAULT, THROUGH MY FAULT, THROUGH MY MOST GRIEVOUS FAULT.

PENITENT 4

(Spoken)

At least I’ve only committed venial sins, not mortal sins, so if I drop dead right now I’ll go to Purgatory for a while instead of being stuck forever in Hell.

PENITENT 5

I’d have to stay in Purgatory until the flames purify my soul. ‘Course, if people are praying for me, I’ll get out sooner.

PENITENT 6

I go to confession every month or so; it’s too risky not to. And it’s nice to know that a tragic accident will send me straight to heaven.

(Sing)

ALL

I CONFESS THAT I HAVE SINNED EXCEEDINGLY IN THOUGHT,

WORD AND DEED, THROUGH MY FAULT,

THROUGH MY FAULT, THROUGH MY MOST GRIEVOUS FAULT.

THEREFORE I BESEECH

BLESSED MARY, EVER VIRGIN,

BLESSED MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

BLESSED JOHN THE BAPTIST,

THE HOLY APOSTLES, PETER AND PAUL,

AND YOU, FATHER, TO PRAY TO THE LORD OUR GOD FOR ME.

SELECTED

PRAY TO THE LORD OUR GOD FOR ME.

(MUSIC ends. TOMMY is waiting in the confessional as FATHER GRUNDY gives absolution to a GIRL in the other compartment)

FATHER GRUNDY

I absolve thee in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Go in peace and sin no more.

(As SHE leaves, FATHER GRUNDY speaks to TOMMY)

You may begin.

TOMMY

Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, …

FATHER GRUNDY

Very good, but would you mind skipping ahead to…

TOMMY

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa…

FATHER GRUNDY

Shall we get right to your confession?