The Magdalene Sisters

This film contains some strong language

and some scenes of a sexual nature.

# A gentleman was passing by

# He stopped for a drink as he got dry

# At the well below the valley, oh

# Green grows the lily, oh

# Down among the bushes, oh

# Me cup was full up to the rim

# If I were to stoop I might fall in

# At the well below the valley, oh

# Green grows the lily, oh

# Right among the bushes, oh

# He said, young maid, you're swearing wrong

# For six fine children she had borne

# At the well below the valley, oh

# Green grows the lily, oh

# Right among the bushes, oh

# If you be a man of noble esteem

# You'll tell to me what happened to them

# At the well below the valley, oh

# Green grows the lily, oh

# Right among the bushes, oh

# Two buried beneath the stable door

# At the well below the valley, oh

# Green grows the lily, oh

# Right among the bushes, oh

# You'll be seven years a- ringin' the bell

# But the Lord above, he'll save me soul

# From all this hell

# Green grows the lily, oh

# Right among the bushes, oh

Well? What is it you're wanting to show me?

Come on, Kevin. What's the secret?

What do you think you're doing?

I'm going back down.

Kevin, stop!

Now, Kevin, behave yourself.

Now, you're my cousin!

What would your father say?

No. Please. Please stop it.

Please, Kevin. Please!

No. I'm begging you. Please stop it.

VOICE BREAKING: No. Stop.

Please stop.

MUSIC CONTINUES

INAUDIBLE OVER MUSIC

INAUDIBLE OVER MUSIC

INAUDIBLE OVER MUSIC

INAUDIBLE OVER MUSIC

MUSIC CONTINUES

CONVERSATION INAUDIBLE OVER MUSIC

MUSIC CONTINUES

MUSIC CONTINUES

You. Get up. Get up.

Get dressed. Hurry up. I want you downstairs.

-What's happening?

-I don't know.

Shh.

ENGINE ON

Da! Where's Margaret going?

Ma, where's Father Doyle taking Margaret?

-Where's the bloody brush?

-Where is it?

Get off. I'll never tell ye.

Right, Sonia. Fart in her face.

I'm not farting in her face.

Do it! Yours are more smellier.

Don't even think about it.

FARTS

Jesus. How do you do that?

Where's the bleedin' brush?

Oh, Jesus.

Take the damn thing.

It's my turn now.

I'm only on 18. I've got two more.

You're on 20! I've been counting.

If you two don't stop fighting, I'll do it meself.

Isn't it a sin to be beautiful?

No. Look at the Virgin Mary.

She's beautiful, isn't she?

It's a sin to be vain. Vanity is a sin.

So what's your name, gorgeous?

Bernadette.

Bernadette. Lovely name.

My grandmother's name. Very fond of it.

So are you coming up to give us a kiss?

No chance.

Give a look of your legs, love. Go on.

Excuse me?

Show us a bit of leg. Go on.

Show us a bit more than a bit of leg. Come on.

You spend all your time hanging around playgrounds?

Which one of us do you like?

She fancies me.

How could she fancy you, with the stomach on you?

Right, lads. That's enough.

Move it or I'll call the guards.

She's a right nark, isn't she?

-Just give us a kiss.

-Cheeky.

-Just why not?

-I'm not that kind of girl.

You wasn't saying that when you were dating me, were you?

-Are you giving us a kiss?

-She's teasing us now, she is.

-Come on up.

-You've got a very good-looking board, Bernadette.

BELL RINGING

He's beautiful, isn't he?

Look at his wee hat.

Ma.

Please. Would you just look at him?

He's your grandson.

Ma, I've said I'm sorry.

I know it was sinful what I did.

But just look at him, Ma.

You can't blame him

for something he's nothing to do with.

I know I've shamed you and me da.

But just look at him, Ma.

Ma, would you just say something - anything?

All right, Da.

Sit down, Rose.

My name is Father Doonigan.

I work for St John's Adoption Society.

Your father and I have discussed your situation.

We feel it would be better for the child

if you'd put him up for adoption.

A child born out of wedlock is a bastard child.

Would you have him go through life as an outcast,

rejected and scorned by all decent members of society?

It's a grievous sin you have committed.

I know, Father. I'm sorry. I really am.

All the same, would you have the child pay for your sins?

Not his, remember.

No, Father.

-Speak up, Rose. I didn't hear you.

-No, Father.

So, better he get a chance in life,

that he grows up in a good Catholic home

with a loving mother and father?

Sign your name here.

BABY CRYING

Now...

You stay here with your father while I go and get the baby.

You're going to take him now?

You wouldn't want to get too attached, would you, Rose?

Did you see the baby, Da?

He's beautiful.

I think I'll tell him I've changed my mind.

Can I not change my mind?

Can we just tear up the forms?

Did you look at him, Ma?

Isn't he beautiful?

He is beautiful.

My baby! I want my baby!

I've changed my mind!

Please, Da, stop them!

Please, Da, don't let them take my baby!

Please, Da!

Please, Da.

CRYING

Leave them down there now and wait.

Sister Bridget will see you now.

In you go.

The philosophy here at Magdalene is a very simple one.

Through the powers of prayer, cleanliness, and hard work,

the fallen may find their way back to Jesus Christ,

our Lord and Saviour.

Mary Magdalene, patron saint of the Magdalene convent,

herself was a sinner of the worst kind,

giving of her flesh

to the depraved and the lustful for money.

Salvation came only by paying penance for her sins,

denying herself all pleasures of the flesh,

including food and sleep,

and working beyond human endurance

so that she might offer up her soul to God

and so walk through the gates of Heaven

and live in everlasting life.

In our laundry, they are not simply clothes and bed linen.

These are the earthly means to cleanse your very soul,

to remove the stains of the sins you have committed.

Here you may redeem yourself and, God willing,

save yourself from eternal damnation.

Breakfast is at 6:00. Prayer is at 6:30.

Work begins at 7:00.

-Lunch is at...

-Excuse me, Sister?

I think I should go.

You see, my father was very ups-...

Don't ever interrupt me, girl.

Did no one ever tell you that it's bad manners to interrupt?

Or were you too busy whoring with the boys to listen?

-Is that what it was?

-No, Sister.

Are you simple-minded? Is that what it is?

Are you a simpleton?

I decide when, or if, you're allowed to leave.

And I think I can safely say it could be quite some time.

What's your name?

Margaret, Sister.

Margaret what?

McGuire.

-Yours?

-Rose Dunne.

We have a Rose. What's your middle name?

I don't have one, Sister.

Perhaps not on your birth certificate.

But I'm sure your parents have one or two names for you now.

What's your confirmation name?

-Patricia.

-Then you may call yourself Patricia.

Thank you, Sister.

Thank you, Sister.

And you?

Bernadette Harvey.

From St Attracta's.

Yes, Sister.

Now, how would I know that?

I don't know, Sister.

Is it that Principal McLachlan,

who's a very good friend of mine, has told me all about you?

Or is it that after years in charge of this convent,

I know a little temptress when I see one?

I don't know, Sister.

Well, blessed Mary. Two simpletons in one day.

Well, I'm sure we shall find out

in the course of time, won't we?

Now come with me.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

You. Come with me.

You. Over there.

And you come this way.

In the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

-Amen.

-Amen.

Oh, Angel of God, my guardian dear,

to whom God's love commits me here,

ever this night be at my side

to light, to guard, to rule and guide.

-Amen.

-Amen.

In the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

-Amen.

-Amen. To bed now, girls.

LATCH CLICKS

CRYING SOFTLY

Sorry.

Can you help me to the toilet, please?

Yeah. Yeah.

Are you all right?

It's so painful.

What is?

Here. It's so painful.

I think I'm going to faint.

Don't touch it.

Is your milk stuck?

I don't know. I think so.

Don't touch. You'll start leaking all over the place.

The nuns go crazy if you start leaking.

Best just take the pain.

Be gone in a couple of days.

You better get to bed.

TOILET FLUSHES

If they see you two getting friendly,

they'll skin you alive.

Everyone, out of their beds.

Come on, come on. Hurry up.

Has anyone seen Una O'Connor?

Did anyone hear anything during the night?

Did anyone see her leave?

Breakfast.

I believe in one God...

The Almighty Father, maker of Heaven and Earth,

maker of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only begotten Son of God,

born the Father before time began.

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God, begotten, not made,

one in substance with the Father,

and through Him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation,

he came down from Heaven,

was incarnate of the Virgin Mary

by the power of the Holy Spirit

and was made Man.

For our sake under Pontius...

That is enough!

Together with the Father and the Son,

He is adored and glorified.

-He is...

-DOOR SLAMS

...it was who spoke through the prophets.

I believe in one Holy Catholic and Apostolic church.

I keep a very close eye on all of them.

Did you know, Sister, that I've worked here for 40 years?

I don't do priests' collars.

Ask any of the girls. I don't do them.

So what, I have to do all my work as well as yours?

We can swap if you like.

Get lost.

Have you any bloody ones?

A lot of the girls hate the bloody ones, but I don't mind.

There you go. I'll do this for you.

A lot of the girls put them into hot water.

I tell them, but they don't listen.

You have to soak them in cold water first

with a little bit of salt.

Then rub it, like that.

I believe you.

What are you two talking about?

There's no talking allowed.

Sister! They were talking.

But I've given them a right row for it.

All right, Sister?

Yes, Kate.

There is no talking allowed.

What were you talking about?

I was just telling her how to wash these.

Jesus, Mary, and Holy St Joseph.

Get them away from me.

You're a disgusting girl. You know that?

Now, get back to work.

I worked here for 40 years. I know all the little tricks.

I've got my eye on you two.

Listen to me.

Poor Sister Augusta.

She got into terrible trouble with that girl running away.

That's why they asked me to sit in for her.

Her poor nerve ends. They're all shot to blazes.

I'm giving them a right earful now, Sister! Right. Right.

A right earful, Sister.

That's what's wrong with youse.

You're just completely selfish.

You don't care if some poor nun gets into trouble

and loses her position.

You don't care.

She just fell asleep on night duty.

Now she's going to end up in Africa,

working with the lepers.

Her fingers could fall off.

Her toes could fall off.

She might even lose her nose.

Anything that sticks out falls off.

You just get on with your work!

Get on with it.

-We got to get out of this...

-Quiet, now!

GIRL CRYING, MAN SHOUTING

I'm sorry! I'm sorry!

CRYING

-This one? Is it this one?

-I'm sorry, Da!

Is this where you're at?

You'll stay here till you die, you slut!

I just wanted to come home, Da! I just wanted to come home!

-I hate it here!

-What have I told you?

What have I told you?!

MUFFLED SCREAMS

What have I told you?!

You got no home. You got no mother.

You got no father.

You killed us, you slut. You killed us both.

You run away again and I'll cripple you.

I swear to God.

Mr O'Connor, I think you should go home now.

We'll look after Una.

What you lookin' at, you whores?

God bless you, Sister.

Please, don't leave me here, Da.

Please don't leave me here!

Get to bed now, Una. I'll see you in the morning.

Now...

..the rest of you, lie down.

Go to sleep.

So they're all hookers and whores that work in there?

You don't look at them. You don't talk to them.

Do you understand me?

Good morning.

There's somebody looking for you.

It's my sister.

Oh, it's my little one!

That's my little boy.

Oh, isn't he big?

Isn't he the biggest boy you've ever seen in your whole life?

He's only two.

And the size of him!

Blessed Virgin...

may you and St Christopher...

St Christopher...

look over and...

Holy God, look after this child.

Bless you and bless everyone.

You two...

Stop hanging around!

Are you spastic, or what?

No. This here's me friendly face.

Well, you can shove it up your not-so-friendly arse.

Jesus.

And they tell me you lot are right into fellas.

Well, ain't that right?

That you lot are in here cos you give it out to the lads?

You like to get the old knickers off and that?

What's your wee boy called?

Don't know.

Ask me my name.

What's your name?

Crispina.

It means girl with the curly hair.

Sister Bridget gave it to me.

Two shillings, if you suck me cock.

HE SCREAMS

Get off!

Look at you, you mad fuckin' bitch!

When my baby came out of me, they gave him to my sister.

And she's not allowed come here

and not allowed talk to me.

So I don't know his name.

But my auntie,

who's the richest woman in the world,

she gave us both these.

And my sister...

My sister...

My sister brings him to the gate sometimes,

and we talk on this.

This is a...

a...

a...

A Holy, uh...

Holy...

I'm sorry, Sister? What's the word?

What's the word?

I'm sorry. I just can't think of the word.

You know there's no talking. Get back to work.

I said, get back to work.

I am not going to tell you again.

Telephone!

That's what it is - telephone.

I can never think of the word. Telephone.

I want to see Sister Bridget right now.

Wait there.

I understand that you two have been disobedient.

-Sorry, Sister.

-I just asked if I could see you, Sister.

You didn't ask anything, girl.

You demanded.

Now, who in God's name gave you the right to make demands?

I'm just wonderin' why I'm here, Sister.

I've not committed any crime.

I've never been with any lads, ever.

As God's honest truth.

But you'd like to, wouldn't you?

I'm a good girl, Sister.

No.

You're arrogant and ill- mannered and stupid,

and that would be why the boys liked you.

So much low intelligence makes it easier

for them to get their fingers inside you.

Isn't that right, Crispina?

Yes, Sister.

What did I just say?

I don't know, Sister.

That all men are sinners,

and, therefore, all men are open to temptation.

In any God-fearing country,

if you want to save men from themselves,

you'll remove that temptation.

Do you understand me, girl?

Yes, Sister.

I wasn't asking you.

I understand you, Sister.

You sure, now?

There were a few words of more than one syllable there.

I understand you, Sister.

Now...

Disobedience will not be tolerated.

Face the wall.

Now, go on.

The two of you, back to your work.

Una...

Have you completely lost your mind?

Your hair's no good to you now.

We'll pack it away later, sell it to O'Brien's,

give the money to the black babies.

All right?

Oh.

You won't be running away now, will you,

with your hair like this?

So, where would you go?

I have a cousin in Dublin.

She's a hairdresser.

I've only met her once,

but I'm sure she wouldn't turn me away,

if I asked her for help.

You want to come with me?

Why?

What in God's name have we done to deserve this?

We're not slaves.

We're not criminals.

What have we done?

Having a baby is not a crime.

Having a baby before you're married

is a mortal sin.

All the mortal sins in the world wouldn't justify this place.

I'll tell you...

I'd commit any sin, mortal or otherwise,

to get the hell out of here.

So, are we going to get married?

-What?

-We could run away together.

Where would we go?

Go to England or America or something.

Have you got any money?

Do I look like I have any money?

I thought you might have saved up some of your wages.

You think I came here because I answered an ad?

No. I just thought you might have got something.

We get nothin'.

So?

So, what?

Run away together?

How can we run away together?

We've got no money, nowhere to go.

And anyway, I hardly even know you.

All right, you can look.

But if you try and touch, I'll have to kick your teeth in.

It's not a fuckin' chimley!

Do you have the keys to the back door?

No, Seamus has them.

But you can get them?

I think so.

Then get them and bring them here tonight.

-Tonight?

-Yeah.

Oh, dear God.

Oh, dear God in Heaven.

-Oh, Jesus.

-Oh, dear God in Heaven!

You have to promise me you'll be here.

-All right, I promise.

-If you don't come, they'll kill me!

I promise.

Get away from me!

I don't even want to look at you!

You're a disgusting... you're a disgusting girl!

We're gettin' married, honest.

He'll never marry you. Never.

He will, but if you...

if you tell, I can't get out of here.

And then we can't get married.

Then I'll be a sinner.

You don't want me to be a sinner.

No.

Look, I'll tell Sister Bridget you were disgusting,

and then... then, you see, they'll keep you here forever.

You'll be able to get into Heaven

because you'll have paid for all your disgusting sins,

-here, now.

-Please.

-Isn't that good?

-Please don't tell her.

I'll stay here. I'll work hard every day.

I'll pray for all my sins.

Please don't tell her.

But I have to tell her. I have to.

Fine.

But if you do, I'll kill myself.

And you know what that means.

It means I'll go straight to hell and so will you.

cos in the eyes of God,

you'll be a murderer, same as me.

No.

No, it doesn't.

Not true.

(This is fuckin' mad, Brendan.)

(This is fuckin' nuts.)

(Open the door, eh?)

(Open the door.)

Brendan! Brendan, it's me!

Please open the door!

Ah, this is madness.

Christ, I don't even know your name, it's that mad!

Bernadette! My name is Bernadette.

Please open the door!

They'll know it was me!

You know that, don't you?

I'll lose me job. Everything!

I have a brother doing six years in jail

for stealing apples of the nuns!

Now, what would they give me?!

-I'm sorry.

-Brendan!

I can't do it.

Brendan!

Don't leave me here.

I'm sorry.

At least open the fucking door!

Hold still!

It's OK. I'll hold her.

SHE SCREAMS

Stop it! Stop it

Stop!

Here.

Keep hold.

Still.

Open your eyes, girl.

Open them.

I want you to see yourself as you really are.

Now that your vanity is gone and your arrogance defeated,

you're free. Free to choose between right and wrong,

good and evil.

So now you must look deep into your soul,

find that which is pure and decent,

and offer it up to God.

Then, and only then, will you find salvation.

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.

Amen.

ALL: Amen.

LAUGHTER

All right, enough.

Ah, there's nothing like a little exercise before supper.

Though I have to say,

some of you could do with cutting down on the potatoes.

Arms by your sides.

Frances, do you know, I've never noticed before,

but not only do you have the tiniest breasts

I've ever seen, but you've got no nipples.

Do you see that?

That can't be natural, can it?

NUN LAUGHS

So, we're all agreed.

Frances has the littlest breasts.

But who's got the biggest?

I'd say it was Patricia.

No, she's just broad at the back.

Turn around, Patricia.

See?

She's just big at the back.

Patricia, you have a brickie's back!

A couple of tattoos

and you could pass yourself off as a nabby.

No.

Biggest breasts definitely have to go to Cecilia.

Give yourself a round of applause, Cecilia.

Good girl.

So, we've covered biggest breasts,

littlest breasts.

Biggest bottom.

So that only leaves us with the hairiest.

Crispina.

Step forward.

And, Bernadette, step forward.

Stand beside each other.

NUN GIGGLES

Crispina. Get your hands away from there.

Get them away!

Bernadette, you have more hair down there

than you have on your head.

But the winner is...

Crispina.

Crispina...

You've won. Why are you crying?

I don't know, Sister.

Well, neither do I. It's a game.

Ah, put your clothes on, the lot of you!

It's time for tea.

SHIVERING

Every day of my life belongs to Thee, O my God.

And every action of my life should be performed

with the pure intention of honouring Thee alone.

From this moment, I offer them to Thy sacred heart,

and by this offering, I consecrate them

without reserve to Thy glory.

Therefore, I will perform them with all possible perfection.

Do not permit them, Oh, my divine Saviour,

to be sullied by any motives unworthy of Thy...

-METALLIC CLATTERING

-What's going on down there?

Crispina, what are you playing at?

I don't know, Sister.

She's very hot, Sister.

Well, take her to bed.

-Come on.

-Sorry, Sister.

I think I made a mess, Sister.

Sorry.

I renounce all that could lessen the merit of my offering.

I renounce all vanity, self- love, and human respect.

Grant, Oh, my God, that I may commence, continue,

and end this day in Thy grace

and solely from the pure motive of pleasing and honouring Thee.

-Amen.

-Amen.

I think I might be dying.

You've just got a fever. Maybe you have the flu.

You can die from the flu.

Old people die from the flu, not young people.

Crispina, did you lie in this all night?

Oh, Crispina, did you wet the bed?

I've never wet the bed, not even when I was little.

Then, what happened? It's soaking wet.

SHE SIGHS

Thank God it hasn't gone all the way through.

We'd have to tell the Sisters.

You wouldn't want that row, now, would you?

Hold this, will you?

You'll have to sleep in your dress, for now.

I'll go down and try and get some clean sheets.

I can do it myself.

Well, do it.

I'll be back.

WHIMPERS AND GASPS

What happened now? What's wrong with you?

I lost my holy medal.

-My St Christopher! I've lost it!

-Just calm down.

Look in your dress. I'll look on the floor.

Where's my St Christopher?

-I don't know.

-Oh, God help me!

Crispina, shh. It's all right.

Please be calm and lie down, will you?

It probably fell off.

I'll go down and find it for you.

You just lie there, nice and still.

SOBBING: Please help me. I don't know what I'm going to do.

Shh. I'll go find it for you.

SOBBING

(She's not well.)

(She's not...)

What?

SNEEZES

Crispina?

Crispina, what are you doing?

SOBBING

You'll never find my St Christopher.

I will so.

Come down from there and get back into bed.

It's my punishment.

Punishment for what?!

I promise you, I will find it for you.

Now, come down from there.

Come on.

Lay down.

If you died of the flu, it wouldn't be your fault.

-Sure it wouldn't?

-Of course it wouldn't be your fault.

And you're not going to die of the flu. I told you that already.

But if you did?

Are you going to behave now?

Yeah.

I have to get back to work.

CHOKING

Come already!

Patricia, come and get it off her throat.

Take her legs.

Lift her. Lift her!

Crispina, stop kicking, will you?

Try and keep still! Please!

-She can't breathe!

-Lift her up.

Pull it off.

-Keep still, Crispina! Will you keep still?

-Loosen it!

I can't! It's too tight!

Will you loosen it?

I can't! It's too tight!

Keep her there. Don't move her.

GASPING

I've nearly got it.

GASPING

Lift her up.

Crispina, why did you want to kill yourself?

Jesus, that's a stupid thing to ask in this place.

Why?

I wanted to die of the flu, but you said I wouldn't.

But you mustn't try to kill yourself.

It's the biggest mortal sin there is.

You'll go straight to hell.

I saw your wee boy today.

My little boy? How was he looking?

Lovely. He looked really sad, though. Cos you weren't there.

-He missed you.

-There you go.

Just think how sad he'd be if he never saw you again.

I have to go to bed.

This place makes us all desperate at times.

But you must remember that you'll be out of here one day

-and able to play with your little one.

-When?

I don't know.

Then why would you say something like that?

Because it's true!

Then tell her when.

Next week? Next month?

-Next century?

-I don't know the exact date or time.

I'm just trying to stop her from killing herself.

I know what you're trying to do.

I just don't know why you're doing it.

BELL TOLLS

I lost my St Christopher, Father.

Hurry up, now. We'll be late.

SISTER BRIDGET: Una O'Connor has decided to give herself

to the convent.

As most of you know, this is one of the greatest commitments

a young penitent can make to our order.

She has turned her back

on the evils and temptations of the world

and will face the light of the Lord

with us here in this convent until the day she dies.

Her sacrifice, and indeed, her transformation

from what she once was should be noted by you all.

Thank you, Una.

In the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

-ALL: Amen.

-The Lord be with you.

ALL: And also with you.

Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause

from the nation that is not holy.

Deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man.

-Body of Christ.

-Amen.

-Body of Christ.

-Amen.

-Body of Christ.

-Amen.

-Body of Christ.

-Amen.

-Body of Christ.

-Amen.

-Body of Christ.

-Amen.

All right. Come on. Back in again, the two of you.

Now, talk and laugh as you come in.

All right. Slow.

-That's it. Now come on, smile.

-A lovely day today.

Now, Jude, show her the flowers in the garden.

Look at the flowers.

Will you relax, both of you? Just be yourselves. Come on.

Try and act natural.

CHEERING AND SHOUTING

He's not a man of God.

FOOTSTEPS

VEHICLE APPROACHES

What are you after?

Are you wanting a lift or what?

Why the hell did you stop me, then?

You're from in there, aren't you?

Christ, they're taking in loonies now, as well?

Come on, Sister!

CHEERING AND SHOUTING

Lord, have mercy on us.

TOGETHER: Lord, have mercy on us.

-Christ, have mercy on us.

-Christ, have mercy on us.

-Lord, have mercy on us.

-Lord, have mercy on us.

-Christ, hear us.

-Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven.

You said you'd find my St Christopher.

That's what you said.

You shouldn't make promises you can't keep.

That's what Bernadette says.

-Holy Mary.

-Pray for us.

-Holy mother of God.

-Pray for us.

Holy Virgin of virgins.

Bernadette said that somebody here must have it.

Mother of divine grace.

They're keeping it from me.

..Pray for us.

Mother most chaste.

You said you'd find it. You promised.

Mother undefiled.

Pray for us.

I have a right mind to tell what you said about Father Fitzroy.

-Mother most admirable.

-Pray for us.

-Mother of good counsel.

-Pray for us.

-Mother of our Creator.

-Pray for us.

-Mother of our redeemer.

-Pray for us.

-Virgin most prudent.

-Pray for us.

-Virgin most venerable.

-Pray for us.

FOOTSTEPS

What have you done to my bed?

My St Christopher! You found it.

God bless you.

You dirty bitch!

MUFFLED SCREAMING

Stop it! Stop it!

Stop it, for God's sakes!

You're a wicked bitch, you know that?

You're a wicked, thieving bitch!

She had Crispina's St Christopher under her bed!

The only thing that girl owns in the whole world.

And you took it!

You found my St Christopher. Thank you.

Don't you understand? She stole it.

Yeah, but you found it.

Am I the only one that thinks that what she did

was completely despicable?

Oh, you can all just go to hell!

Why?

Cos she didn't suffer enough.

We're penitents, remember?

We're supposed to suffer.

Now fuck up and let me sleep.

MAN: On you come now, girls.

LAUGHTER

MUSIC: "Amazing Grace" ON SOLO BAGPIPE

MUSIC STOPS

But let a man prove himself.

And so let him eat of that bread and drink of the chalice.

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily,

eateth and drinketh judgment to himself.

This is the word of the Lord.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St John.

ALL: Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews,

"My flesh is meat indeed. And my blood is drink indeed.

"He that eateth of my flesh and drinketh my blood

"abideth in me, and I in him.

"As the...living Father hath sent..."

GRUNTS

SHOUTS

SHOUTING CONTINUES

GASPS

CROWD MURMUR

SHOUTING CONTINUES

Sister, I don't know what's wrong.

Can you help me a bit?

I don't know what I have.

Look. It's all over me.

CRYING SOFTLY

Sit down.

Sit down. Sit down, Crispina.

Sit down.

It's really hurting me!

Crispina.

Sorry!

It won't go away!

Please!

-FATHER FITZROY:

-Dear Lord!

-You're not a man of God!

-Crispina.

-You're not a man of God!

-Crispina, sit down.

You're not a man of God! You're not a man of God!

-You're not a man of God!

-Crispina!

You're not a man of God! You're not a man of God!

-You're not a man of God!

-Crispina!

-You're not a man of God!

-Sit down now!

You're not a man of God! You're not a man of God!

You're not a man of God!

-You're not a man of God!

-Crispina!

You're not a man of God! You're not a man of God!

-You're not a man of God!

-Crispina!

You're not a man of God! You're not a man of God!

You're not a man of God!

You're not a man of God! You're not a man of God!

You're not a man of God!

-You're not a man of God!

-Crispina.

You're not a man of God!

Crispina.

Get up now.

Crispina.

Come on up.

Up you come. Get up.

That's it. Good girl.

Where are we going?

I'm sending you to Mount Vernon Hospital.

-They can look after you better than we can here.

-Mount Vernon?

That's right. Come on, now.

-Mount Vernon's for the maddies, Sister.

-Come on, girl. Come on.

No. I don't want to go.

-Look...

-No. I'm not mad.

-You come along now, Crispina.

-No. I want to stay.

-Don't be giving me any trouble.

She's telling the truth.

No. I'm OK. I'm going to stay.

I don't want to go.

What did you say?

-Nothing.

-You said something. What was it?

-I'm sorry. I was confused.

-Confused? Right.

CRISPINA SHRIEKS

Crispina. Come on, now. MOANING

Crispina. Let them take you along now.

Come on, girl. You're perfectly all right.

Stop it, girl!

-Crispina!

-No!

Will you stop it, girl? Calm down! Crispina!

Help me! No!

-Let go of it!

-No!

Now, you're all right, Crispina! Will you stop that noise?

Let them take you out, now, Crispina.

-Help me!

-Get her right out.

Come on. I'm here, Crispina.

You're all right now. DOOR SLAMS

INDISTINCT SHOUTING

SISTER BRIDGET: Get her out!

Sister, no! Please!

No! Please, Sister!

No! No!

SHRIEKING FADES

MUSIC PLAYS

# God rest ye merry gentlemen

# Let nothing you dismay

# Remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day

# To save us all from Satan's power

# And we were gone astray

# O tidings of comfort and joy

# Comfort and joy

# O tidings of comfort and joy. #

They say that confession is good for the soul.

Well, in the presence of the archbishop,

Mr Lanigan, Mrs Lanigan,

the Sisters, and, indeed, you all,

I have a confession I wish to make.

And I warn you now,

some of you will find it somewhat shocking.

For many years, more years than I care to remember,

I have had a secret love.

In fact, not just one, but dozens.

Since I have been 13 years old, I have been in love...

..with the films.

LAUGHTER

It's true. It's true.

My father used to take me.

It was the old silent ones, in those days.

And while he loved the comedies, I loved the Westerns.

LAUGHTER

I'll never forget the look on my dear mother's face

the day I told her if I didn't get into the convent

and give my life to God, then I'd be a cowboy instead.

LAUGHTER

Fortunately, God gave me the calling.

But I've never forgotten those old films.

Now, today, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord,

Mr Lanigan, one of Dublin's most respected businessmen,

has brought along a projector and a film.

For us.

Isn't that wonderful?

APPLAUSE

Now, like yourselves, I don't know what the film is.

But I know it's not a Western. Isn't that right, Mr Lanigan?

Apparently, they've changed a lot since my day

and have gone the way of the devil like so much of the modern world.

So no less a person than the archbishop himself

has chosen the film for us today.

Sister Jude, would you turn the lights out, please?

GIGGLING

PROJECTOR WHIRRS

Ooh!

APPLAUSE

STRING ARRANGEMENT PLAYS

GASPS, WHOOPS AND APPLAUSE

DOORBELL RINGS

'You don't become a nun to run away from life, Patsy.

'It's not because you've lost something.

'It's because you've found something.'

WINDOW OPENS

I have got a letter here

for Sister Bridget, from Father Donnelly.

-(VOICE BREAKING)

-'Dear Lord...

'remove all bitterness from my heart.

'Please.

'Help me to see Thy holy will in all things.

'(Help me.)

'Please.

'Please, help me.'

You can't go in there.

APPLAUSE

Wonderful.

Wonderful. DOOR OPENS

Oh!

What a beautiful film.

I think we all owe the archbishop a vote of thanks.

Thank you.

Thank you, Your Grace. APPLAUSE

What is it?

I have a letter here concerning my sister, Margaret McGuire.

-Oh.

-It's from Father Joseph Donnelly.

I'm her brother, Eamonn.

-Eamonn.

-Margaret McGuire.

Come on. We're going.

What's wrong?

Come on.

Sister Jude, would you turn the lights on, please?

Now, back to your dormitories.

Can you believe that it's that simple?

That a brother can just turn up and...

Can you believe that?

Margaret, will you hurry up?

Don't you dare tell me what to do!

Don't you ever dare tell me what to do!

Where the hell have you been for four bloody years?

What are you talking about? I was growing up.

Well, you didn't grow up bloody fast enough, did you?

May I get past, please, Sister?

You'd better be joking, girl. CHUCKLES

Because if I thought for a second

you would seriously expect one of the persons here

to step aside for the likes of you, then, brother or no brother,

I would punish such insolence most severely.

Most severely.

I'm not moving, Sister.

Fine.

Then you'll be staying with us, then.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

I think we should be moving on.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

MACHINES WHIRRING

Excuse me, Sister.

Yes, Katy.

I don't think I'm feeling very well today, Sister.

Well, get yourself a cup of water.

Yes, Sister.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

GROANS SOFTLY

Did they tell you I'm dying?

They wanted to send me to the hospital.

But I said no.

I wanted to stay here with the Sisters and my friends.

You knew my mother, didn't you?

What are you rambling on about, you old witch?

She was always very kind to me.

My father said I was soft in the head.

But she was always very kind.

She had a lovely singing voice, didn't she?

Lift your head.

GROANS

She told me not to go near the soldiers.

She told me.

He was born 16th of October.

I called him Freddy.

I thought my mother might come back for me, but...

Well, there was an awful lot of us.

And we were poor.

And she said she knew I'd be happy here with the Sisters

and all my friends.

Don't go. Don't go.

Please don't leave me alone.

The Sisters wouldn't want you to leave me alone.

VOICE BREAKING: I'll tell the Sisters if you leave me alone.

The Sisters only want the work done.

Or haven't you figured that one out yet?

The Sisters don't give a shite about you.

And neither do I.

So why don't you do them and me and everybody else a big favour?

Hurry up and die.

DOOR OPENS

Here you go.

Now, if you'd like to make your way down to the office,

we'll do the necessary paperwork.

KNOCK ON DOOR

SISTER BRIDGET: Come in.

MUMBLING

Sorry to disturb you, Sister.

But I wanted to ask you something.

You see, it's my son's birthday soon.

And I was just wondering if maybe I could send him a card.

Now, I know you can't tell me where he is.

But I thought if I gave it to you, perhaps you could send it on

to whoever is looking after him.

I want you to help me look for a key.

It's about this size. It's silver. It fits in there.

Go on. Start looking.

It would only be a birthday card, Sister.

I wouldn't even sign it.

He wouldn't know who it was from.

Wouldn't that be bloody stupid?

You'd send a card, and he wouldn't know who it was from.

Now, what kind of person would confuse and disrupt

a child's birthday like that?

But I'm his mother, Sister.

You're not his mother.

Mother puts the child to bed. Looks after him when he's sick.

Feeds and educates him. You've done none of that.

Would you take credit for something you haven't done?

No, Sister.

Well, stop being so stupid and look for the bloody key!

I never wanted that...that thing.

Biscuit tins were just fine. SIGHS

I should've put it on a separate chain.

All the money's in there. All the money.

Have you found it?

-No, Sister.

-SISTER SIGHS

Sorry, Sister.

DOOR CLOSES

Oh, good Mother.

There's that nice lady again.

They didn't tell her.

(She's not here.)

They took her away over a year ago!

They should have told you!

-They took her away.

-Patricia!

All right. Let's go.

DOOR OPENS

You dead yet?

You got what you deserved.

I was only trying to tell the...

GASPS AND SOBS

KNOCK ON DOOR

Excuse me, Sister.

Katy's dead.

May she rest in peace.

PATRICIA SOBBING

Remember this beating, girl.

If you ever speak to anyone outside of here again,

you will receive the same beating every day for a month.

Now.

Both of you.

Get back to your work.

You know we're both going to grow old and die in here.

No one's going to come for me.

Or for you.

I just don't want to feel like this for the rest of my life.

I don't want to end up like one of them.

So are you ready?

Ready for what?

We have to go.

Go where?

Out.

Have you completely lost your mind?

Look what she did to me.

And that was only for talking to someone.

What's she going to do if she catches me trying to run away?

It doesn't matter. She's going to do it anyway.

For something or for nothing.

It doesn't matter to her.

We have to go.

We have to go now.

FOOTSTEPS

What does the main door key look like?

It's a big, black key.

GRUNTING

Let go of the key, Sister.

No.

Let go!

Let go of the key, Sister!

Let go, you fucking twisted bitch!

Let go!

Let go, or, so help me, I'll stick these in your throat.

Let go.

Get back here! Get back here!

Get back here!

Get the fuck away from her!

Oh!

Don't even fucking think about coming after us!

SHRIEKS

Fucking stay in there!

Thanks so much for the clothes and the money and everything.

I'll pay you back as soon as I get a job, I promise.

Goodbye, Patricia.

My name's Rose.

Rose.

I'll just be a sec.

So will you be all right, then?

I've got my ticket. I'll be fine.

Liverpool's in England, isn't it?

Yeah, I think so.

What about you?

You know she'll have the guards out looking for you.

They can't touch me. I'm a trainee hairdresser.

That makes me respectable.

They can't touch you if you're respectable.

I'll write to you.

Grand.

Good luck.

ENGINE TURNS OVER

Stop! GASPS

GASPS

GAGS

MUTTERING