A dedicated priest in frail health takes over a church attended by peasants who rejoice in the human love life has to offer them. Mouret (Francis Huster) is at odds with the wrathful rector (Andre Lacombe), who instills fear in the parishioners and takes exception to Mouret's embracing of the Virgin Mary. Mouret tries to mediate when the peasants fight over the belongings of a deceased woman. When he is taken ill and suffers short term memory loss, he is cared for at the house of his atheistic uncle and his servant girl. She cares for Mouret, who forgets his calling to God and falls for the young girl. She nurses him back to health and he returns to the church, but the rector drives the young girl from the parish and constantly reminds Mouret of his sin during his amnesia. When the young girl dies, Mouret buries her in consecrated ground despite the objections of the despotic rector.