During 1927, in the sleepy, former mining town of Solona, the local Catholic priest, Father Rivard, is arrested for the murder of Sister Rita, a young nun at his parish. Toby Felker, the appointed defense attorney, visits Rivard in jail and listens as the priest describes Rita’s initial arrival at Holy Rosary parish. Unlike the two elderly, crabby nuns, Sister Martha and Sister Immaculata, Rita was enthusiastic and vivacious. Rivard, who had become cynical and lonely in the small community, was unaccustomed to exchanging ideas with someone and was startled by Rita’s lively conversation, but soon became rejuvenated by her presence. When the priest admits that he is still preoccupied by the young nun, Toby warns Rivard that he sounds guilty. Declaring that he did not kill Sister Rita, the priest states that she was alive when he left the parish that evening. The attorney informs Rivard that Mrs. Shandig, the parish’s illiterate cook and housekeeper, cannot vouch for him at the moment. According to police, she became emotionally unstable after the murder and has been hospitalized. After Toby leaves, Rivard continues to remember Sister Rita: At the parish school, she leads the children in a catchy song, “My Rumble Seat Gal,” instead of the typical Latin hymns taught by the other nuns. While shopping at the general store, Rita suggests Rivard plant flowers in the churchyard. Meanwhile, Shandig is dubious about the young nun’s influence, but, nevertheless, welcomes Rita’s help in teaching her how to read. One day, Rivard invites Rita to join him for his regular walk. He thanks Rita for teaching Mrs. Shandig and reveals that the housekeeper arrived at his doorstep having escaped from abusive men at a mining camp. After hiring her and converting her to Catholicism, Shandig has been devoted to him and the parish. Later, back at the rectory, Rivard is busy writing when Shandig interrupts to suggest that Sister Rita would be a good candidate to discuss the theological ideas in his forthcoming book. Yet, the pious housekeeper believes it is inappropriate for the father to have dinner with the young nun. Sometime later, Dr. McNabb diagnoses Sisters Martha and Immaculata with consumption. The doctor says that Sister Rita could continue to live in the convent and avoid infecting the school children if she undertakes certain precautions, but he advises instead that she move into the rectory. Rivard reminds McNabb that holy laws do not permit such arrangements. However, with Rita’s encouragement, Rivard writes to Monsignor Nicholson for permission. Later, while on a walk through town, Rivard and Rita are stopped by a local prostitute, who warns the priest that he should not encourage town gossip by walking alone with the young nun. Although Rita is not concerned, the priest is cautious about perceptions in the tight-knit community. Later, at the convent, the bed-ridden nuns voice their disapproval about Rita living in the rectory. In response, Rivard angrily reminds the two sisters that Monsignor will make the final decision and adds that Rita has improved the school since she arrived. When the reply letter from Monsignor finally arrives, Rivard announces that his request has been approved. However, Shandig later finds the letter while cleaning and discovers that the Monsignor actually refused permission. In tears, Shandig confronts Rivard about his deception, believing that Rita’s move to the rectory is wrong. In an attempt to reassure the housekeeper, the priest states that Monsignor does not understand that the convent poses health risks for Rita and the school children. Although Shandig never completely approves of the arrangement, she begins to enjoy Rita’s presence at the rectory as the two women work on the garden together. One day, Monsignor Nicholson pays a surprise visit, and Rivard hastily asks Shandig and Rita to conceal the fact that the sister is not living in the convent. After Monsignor leaves, the priest is distraught about the lie and admits that Rita’s move to the rectory was a mistake. Although he does not want Rita to leave the parish, he insists that they ignore each other, even in passing. After awhile, Rita requests a private conversation with Rivard, but he refuses, suppressing his tormented feelings toward the nun. The tension between the two escalates. During a discussion one night about praying, Rita advocates for acceptance of emotions and tolerance in religion. Rivard asks Mrs. Shandig to leave the room as he reminds Rita that she cannot “bend” the Church. When Rita questions whether the father is human, he cuts his palm with a knife and smears blood on the nun’s face. Later, during the murder trial, Rivard protests when the prosecutor tries to discredit Rita’s devotion to Catholicism, and the priest is sent back to his jail cell. There, Toby advises him that they do not want the jury to realize that he loved Rita, which gives the prosecutor a “crime of passion” motive. The priest thinks back to the night when a fire destroyed the convent: After he and Rita rescue Sisters Martha and Immaculata, the young nun becomes trapped in the flames. The stairs collapse and Rivard is helpless to save her, but Rita manages to jump to safety. In the aftermath of the near-deadly incident, Rivard and Rita are alone in the rectory and declare their affection for each other. The priest kisses Rita and says he loves her, but insists he must leave the parish to find his penance, while encouraging Rita to stay within her order. After he walks away, Rita cries out that she loves him. Rivard does not turn back, but Shandig overhears. Later, at the trial, Shandig, who has been released from the hospital, recounts that evening on the witness stand. The housekeeper tells the courtroom that, after the priest departed, Rita collapsed in agony on the flower garden, which had been razed by the fire trucks. While looking at the young nun in the ditch, Shandig received a sign from God. As Rita began to move, Shandig says she struck her with a shovel as if she was a snake and covered her up in the garden because “she was too evil to bury in the cemetery.” The confession shocks everyone in the courtroom. After the trial, the freed, but defrocked priest lays flowers at Rita’s grave in the cemetery.