The life of Maddalena takes place entirely in a village in the Italian province. She works as a chamber maid in a seminar to meet the aspirations of her son Paulo, an aspiring priest. His vocation is soon tested when Agnese, a beautiful girl, falls in love with him and overwhelms him with passion. Maddalena is aware of what could happen, she does everything to protect her son from falling victim to the sin of the flesh.