Summary

Caterina Lazzari, a 32-year-old widow and mother of Ciro and Eduardo, gets her two sons packed for their trip to the convent of San Nicola in the Italian Alps. It is Jan. 1, 1905.

Caterina, still grieving over the loss of her husband in an alleged mining accident, knows she can't raise her two sons alone and trusts that the nuns will give 10-year-old Ciro and his 11-year-old brother Eduardo the education and love they need. She hides her sadness as she helps get the boys ready for their trip to San Nicola, just a few miles away from the village of Vilminore di Scalve. To comfort Ciro, his mother gives him a small gold signet ring given to her by her father. There is an instant bond between the two brothers and Sister Teresa, one of the younger nuns who works in...