Father Amaro (Jorge Corrula), a young priest, is assigned to a parish in a modern housing estate in Leiria, Portugal. He lodges at the house of São Joaneira (Glória Férias), a widow who is secretly involved in a long-standing affair with the elderly local canon, Cónego Dias (Nicolau Breyner). Amaro becomes intensely attracted to São Joaneira's daughter, Amélia (Soraia Chaves). Amélia, who is courted by a local man named José Eduardo (Nuno Melo), succumbs to her feelings for Amaro, leading to a secret, illicit sexual affair that results in an unintended pregnancy and tragic consequences.