Religion has been outlawed in a rural Mexican state and priests are considered traitors. The priests that have not escaped have been hunted down and killed. One priest remains on the run, an unnamed man who is far from a perfect holy man. The priest has fathered a child with one of his congregates and is a drunk; he is desperately seeking redemption as he runs from the police lieutenant searching for him. With a price on his head he is helped by the faithful people in small villages. The priest has little hope of survival and tries to make peace with his life.

The novel tells the story of this priest, a sinner and a bad priest, but a faithful man and a true believer. He feels great quilt for the life he has led. He feels no regret for his greatest sin, fathering a...