Miraculously Virgin Mary appears before an extremely unhappy 13 yearold Catalina whose lover, a tailors’ son, had ditched
her once she became acripple. Virgin Mary tells Catalina that she would regain the use of her legswhen the son of Juan de Valero, who has best served God, lays his hand upon herhead and bids her to throw away her crutches and walk. Cataline a sensible girltells this to her mother who bids her not to let it come out and spread. Formiracles, visions and the like were disliked by the Church and those whoclaimed to have experienced were severely punished. But the story leaks out anin no time spreads. Now, Juan de Valero had gone in search of riches leaving awife and three children behind. His eldest son Blasco became a Friar and withhis oration and sonorous voice is mesmerising the Church’s flock. He had indeedserved God best. Even Catalina and her mother are sure of this. Beatriz, of anoble family, secretly loves the young and shy Blasco, who is aware of herlove. When Blaco joins the Church, Beatrice who belongs to a rich nobleestablishes her own Convent that is open only to those of noble background. Itwas at the
CarmeliteChurch that Catalina hadhad her vision. She too is convinced that Catalina’s cure lies in FriarBlasco’s hands. Before a select gathering, he tries to cure Catalina but failsmiserably. But Juan de Valero has one more son, an ambitious but rather waywardwar hero Don Manuel. He too fails to work out the miracle. This time a wholelot of people had thronged to witness the miracle. The people become angry anddeclare Catalina as a witch and want to burn her at a stake. But then, FriarBlasco remembers that there is a third son too Juan de Valero. A simple man,who had loved a baker’s daughter and become a baker himself to the derision ofthe Christian populace, but he has taken good
of his mother who still awaits the return of her husband, Juan de Valeroand is a honest worker. He is brought to the Church and though unwilling andprotesting he is made to follow Friar Blasco in attempting to cure Catalina.And lo, the miracle occurs and Catalina is now able to walk and run. Beatriz, ashrewd business woman, was already pained with the growing popularity andsuccess of a rival Nun of Avila. Now she has a chance to upbeat her if onlyCatalina would agree to join her Convent. She works out with the Catalina’smother and Confessor and brings Catalina for a thanks giving retreat. She hopesthat Catalina would like the life in Convent. But, Catalina in full of love,and also lust, for the tailor’s son and she refuses the offer. Beatriz plotsand plans, all go in vane. Catalina’s passion reopens the wound in Beatriz’sheart and she realises the power of love. She arranges for Catalina to elopewith the tailor’s son. The two elope and thanks to some more small miracles getmarried. The two come across a theatre troupe and Catalina becomes involved.She helps the troupe and her acting talents are discovered. Catalina and herhusband join the troupe and travel from place to place with their littlechildren. Once, during Lent they are invited to perform a play based on VirginMary’s life. By sheer coincidence Blasco sees the play and seeing Virgin Mary’sperformance realises the truth and philosophy behind all happenings.