Catholic Guilt is a heartwarming yet humorous song from a musical where an old-world Italian Nonna expresses her disapproval and love during a family dinner. The song cleverly mixes traditional Italian melodies with a modern twist as Nonna hands out judgmental, back-handed compliments to her granddaughter Rena and her sister Gia while longing for them to settle down in life. Rena and Gia share their true feelings about love and identity through their contrasting yet relatable verses, making this song a touching moment of family dynamics and societal expectations.
Nonna:
Bless this food, we gather near,
But oh, how the heartache’s clear.
With every bite, I can’t help but say,
Why not bring a man home today?
Rena:
A heart that's full, yet feels so trapped,
In your eyes, I see love's gap.
But who would want a girl like me,
When your gaze can charm the sea?
Gia:
Journey of love, it’s true, you’ll see,
Not just for men, there’s more to me.
In your dream, a husband’s role,
Why can’t I fit into that goal?
Nonna:
See, that boy—the one next door,
He’d look at you and want you more.
Why do you hide from love so sweet?
You’re so lucky when love’s complete!
Rena:
When the mirror reflects my heart,
I don’t need a man to play the part.
In your world, I feel the weight,
Of dreams and guilt that you create.
Gia:
Oh Nonna dear, can’t you see,
There’s love all around; let it be free!
You call this a phase, it makes me sigh,
I’m whole on my own, I can fly high.
(Chorus)
Nonna:
Oh, Catholic guilt, a blessing and chain,
In this life of love and pain.
Bless them, dear Lord, I pray every night,
Bring home for them what feels just right.
Rena & Gia:
But happiness comes in many forms,
In kindness, in laughter, through trials and storms.
We’re whole as we are, can’t you see,
Love fails not — and we wish to be free.
Nonna:
To all my saints, I send a thought,
Do right by me, no need to fight.
A table of love, it must not break,
Bring home a man, for your own sake!
(Chorus)
Oh, Catholic guilt, it’s bitter yet sweet,
Binding our hearts while we choose to eat.
Family forever, the pasta and bread,
Tell me, my darlings, why do you dread?
Rena:
In the shadows, feelings entwined,
With the best friend — love undefined.
Gia:
Celebrate us, we’re more than your view,
Let us love freely, it’s what we must do.
Nonna:
So please, my girls, hear my prayer,
In every bite, know I care.
Family first, that’s the rule I learned,
Everlasting love is what I yearned.
(Chorus)
All:
Oh, Catholic guilt, we take to heart,
In love, in life, we’ll never part!
Through dinners and prayers, we’ll find our way,
In the warmth of our love, we choose to stay.
Nonna:
So say Amen, bless this meal,
With gentle love, may we always feel!
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This song is in a musical, and the song is called Catholic Guilt. It is sung by Rena's Nonna, an Italian immigrant who is very religious and very judgmental, like most old-world Italian nonnas. Rena is a plus-size woman and is still single. Rena's younger sister, Gianella (goes by "Gia"), is also single, but she is lesbian. Nonna thinks this is just a phase and Gia will bring home a man someday. Rena is in love with her best friend, Cillian, and he is in love with her too, but neither knows it. Nonna really wants Cillian and Rena to end up together. The song is about Nonna making Rena and Gia feel guilty for things in life. She's incredibly judgemental and has a strong opinion about everything, but usually only directed at the women. Just like most old-world Italian Nonnas, she has a soft spot for the men in her life (Rena's dad, Rena's 3 brothers, and Cillian). The men can do no wrong. She gives back-handed compliments. Do not include names in the song. The song should sound similar to "That's Amore" and has an old-world Italian feel to it. Rena and Gia should also sing in this song, but they're not singing to Nonna; they are singing their thoughts and feelings for the audience. Nonna is singing this song at a family dinner while saying grace. The song should be her grace and mimic a prayer.
Old-World Italian