ACT I
In a poor New Orleans school. Sister Helen thinks about her plan to visit Angola State Penitentiary where her new pen pal, a death row inmate named Joseph De Rocher, has asked her to visit. Against Sister Rose’s advice, Helen decides to go and ponders the momentous step she is taking. 

When she arrives, Helen is greeted by the prison chaplain, Father Grenville. Helen and Grenville have a tense meeting in which the chaplain angrily warns her that she is wasting her time. The prison warden tells her Joseph is likely to ask her to become his spiritual advisor to help prepare him for his execution. 

Joseph and Helen have an awkward first meeting. Hiding his fear with bravado, he tests her tolerance by recalling the pleasures he has known with women. Helen calls his bluff and Joseph admits his fear. He requests she be his spiritual advisor. Joseph asks her to accompany his mother to the Pardon Board hearing.

In a courtroom setting, the frightened Mrs. De Rocher does her best to plead for her son’s life. Owen Hart, the father of the murdered teenager, explodes with anger and recounts the grisly details of his daughter’s murder. In anguish, Joseph’s mother responds that another killing cannot undo what has been done.

After the hearing, Helen introduces herself to the murder victims’ families and they express their grief at never seeing their children again. News arrives that the appeal has been turned down: Joseph will be executed. Helen urges Joseph to acknowledge his guilt and seek forgiveness, but he sees no hope and blames his brother for the murders. The warden appears suddenly and insists she leave. Helen has had no time to eat, and as she looks for change at a vending machine, she faints from hunger, stress and exhaustion. 


INTERMISSION


ACT II
The warden comes to tell Joseph his execution date has been set. Alone, Joseph voices feelings about his impending death, Sister Helen, and his murder victims.

Helen awakens from a nightmare about Joseph and the murdered teenagers. Rose comforts her and helps her admit she still has to find the strength to forgive Joseph herself.

On the night of Joseph’s execution, Helen tells him about seeing Elvis Presley in person. Their shared love of Elvis opens a door between them and they are able to laugh as friends. She once more urges Joseph to admit his guilt and find forgiveness. The warden announces that Joseph’s family has come to see him for the last time.

Joseph has a tearful farewell with his mother and brothers. He begs his mother to forgive him, but she says she believes that he is innocent and there is nothing to forgive. Mrs. De Rocher seeks comfort in her recollections of Joseph’s innocent childhood. When he is led away, his mother falls apart, consoled by Helen with assurances that God’s love is not denied him. 

The parents of the murder victims have arrived to witness the execution. They upbraid Helen for siding with the murderer. Only Owen Hart voices doubts about the value of the execution. Helen offers him friendship and promises to visit.

After the guards prepare Joseph for execution, Helen is alone with him one last time. Helen reveals that she has visited the crime scene and begs him to tell the truth. Reluctantly, Joseph tells her the whole story and, breaking down in sobs, admits his guilt. Helen assures him of forgiveness: not only hers, but God’s as well. She tells him she will be the face of love for him when he dies.

The warden escorts Joseph to the execution chamber, Father Grenville intones the Lord’s Prayer, echoed by the voices of inmates, nuns, guards, and parents. Helen remains close to Joseph. When they reach the chamber, Joseph and Helen exchange an emotional good-bye. She reminds him to look for her as she takes her place with the others in the viewing room. Joseph asks the parents’ forgiveness. In silence, the lethal injection is administered. After his death, the witnesses leave and Helen is alone with Joseph. One last time, she sings her hymn: “He will gather us around.”