Priests Hiraga Joseph Kou and Roberto Nicholas are sent to San Rosario's abbey in Northern Mexico to investigate the reported immaculate conception of a young nun, sister Dolores, taking with them half of a tally counter with the letters "RICH". On the night they arrive, one of the abbey's priests, Father Klaus, is found stoned to death. Shortly thereafter, an apparent miracle occurs when a stone statue of the Virgin Mary appears to shed tears.