Why should I have told you?
I didn't want you to come in this time of fanatical crusaders.
Just like living under Franco!
Well, I'm coming to get you.
- To take you to the city. - Are you crazy?
- You'll get better treatment. - I'm not moving from here at all.
Oh, Dad.
What's the matter?
You haven't gotten a job?
Oh, God. Come on, don't act like a victim, son. Lift your head up.
Lift your head up.
Smile.
That's it.
What you have to do is get a job at a newspaper with big circulation.
Because I have some news about the priests...
You're going to fall over!
Remember Father Natalio, the guerrilla?
Yes.
Well he confronted the bishop. And what do you think?
- Now they want to excommunicate him. - Wow!
- Cheers to Father Natalio! - Cheers.
Amelia!
Let go of me!
- Let's talk. - I don't want anything with you!
- Get lost! - Wait.
Don't you get it? I loathe you!
That's not true.
- Do you feel better, Father? - Better, better.
I'm not numb anymore.
Defend yourself, you son of a bitch!
Come on, faggot!
- Come on, asshole! - My goodness!
Fucking priest, don't you have any balls? Just you and me! Shithead priest!
Come on, asshole!
Son of a bitch!
You fucked up, Rubencito.
We're putting you away for three weeks, or more.
No, it's okay. I'm fine with this.
Thank you.
Ready to make your statement, Father?
No, I'm not going to press charges.
I forgive you, Ruben.
Are you crying?
Over Ruben?
No, over you.
Over all you have suffered without complaining.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost...
- Go in peace. - Amen.
- Mary, Mother of God. - Conceived without sin.
- I absolve... - Father!
- What? - What do you mean, "what"?
- Tell me your sins. - You know them.
What about yours?
- Forgive me, I was out of line. - What do you think about love?
Love is the motor of the world, Amelia.
Love believes everything...
...expects everything...
...bears everything.
- Saint Paul says in Corinthians... - Stop playing dumb!
About our love. What do you think about that?
It is a gift.
God blesses us through this love.
We have to be careful.
People wouldn't understand.
Go on, now. Go.
Martin.
Were you planning on going out, Father? The distributor isn't working.
No, no, I was just taking a walk around here.
Father Benito should buy another truck, don't you think?
El Gato is selling one.
How is Getsemani doing?
Getsemani?
- Have you taken her to the doctor? - Yes.
He gave her some medicine.
Do you want to come in?
I'd like that.
Hello.
What about that room? Are you using it?
My son Lencho would stay here...
...when he'd come to Los Reyes.
Martin, I want to ask you a favor.
- Do you know Amelia? - Sanjuanera's daughter.
Yes, a very pious child.
She wants to become a nun.
She doesn't want anyone to know.
And I offered to prepare her, and, well, in secret...
...but I don't have a place.
It could be here.
- Already? - Yes.
You look happy, child.
I'm so glad you finally decided...
...to tell that Ruben to bug off.
It was about time.
The cheese, child. Here.
- Excuse me. - Thank you, sweetie.
- You're welcome. - Delicious.
- Cheese? - Yes, thank you.
Pardon my hand.
- Cheese? - No, no thank you.
- You need anything? - Nothing, thank you.
- What a lovely girl. - Very pious, intelligent...
...and church-going.
Did I tell you, Father?
Amelia is going to give Getsemani catechism classes. Aren't you, Amelia?
What poppycock!
- Who is Getsemani? - A retarded child.
She doesn't understand a thing. The poor wretch can't even talk.
All the more merit.
You're wasting your time, child.
- You won't last a week. - The feeble-minded need God too.
Don't they, Father Galvan?
Yes, yes, of course. We all need God.
- Want some more horchata? - Yes, thank you.
I found a place.
Look.
This one is the Holy Spirit.
See his little wings?
This is the Virgin Mary.
And this one is Jesus...
...the baby.
Look, this man with a beard...
Look at him, he's God.
Look closely at the drawings and I'll be back to tell you the story. Okay?
Look at them.
As the lily among thorns
So is my beloved among maidens
Thy hair
Is as a flock of goats that appear From Mount Gilead
Thy lips are like a ribbon of scarlet
That's from the Song of Songs.
It's a holy book.
Thy two breasts are like two young roes That are twins
Which feed among the lilies
The joints of thy thighs are like jewels
Thy navel
Is like a round goblet Which wanteth not liquor
Thy belly is like a heap of wheat Set about with lilies
A fountain of gardens
A well of living waters
And streams from Lebanon
Thy lips, o my spouse Drop as the honeycomb
Honey and milk are under thy tongue
And the smell of thy garments Is like the smell of Lebanon
The commandments of the law of God are 10.
The first: Thou shall love God above all things.
The second: Thou shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.
The third: Thou shall observe the holy days.
The fourth: Thou shall honor thy father and thy mother.
The fifth: Thou shall not kill.
The sixth: Thou shall not fornicate.
- The seventh... - Miss!
What does thou shall not "formicate" mean?
It means that you don't eat meat during holy week, Chente.
- The seventh. - The seventh...
Leaving, Father?
- I have to visit someone who is sick. - I came for confession.
I brought you a present. I made it for the altar to the Virgin.
It's lovely. I'll take it. Thank you, Amparito.
- Thank you. - Come visit me at my house some time.
Good afternoon, Father.
- Wait a minute. - What?
- No. - What?
Let me see it on you.
Yes?
You are more beautiful than the Virgin.
I don't want any more scandals.
Just imagine if the newspapers do another number on us.
Be patient with him, Bishop. Father Natalio is acting in good faith.
I've given him more than enough time to come around.
- May I express an opinion? - Of course, son.
That's why I call you, to advise me.
If you send him to some other peasant community...
...in another diocese, I think he would accept.
You're too good.
Well, give me time for God to enlighten me.
Did you tell the Bishop about the child Amelia?
What?
- That you are preparing her, as a nun. - Oh, yes.
We talked a long time in confidence.
I think the Bishop would like the Order of the Clares for her.
How is she doing?
Who?
The child Amelia.
With her studies, I mean.
Fine. She seems to have a vocation.
I want to love you without hiding. In front of everyone.
No, it can't be done.
Our love is unique.
What?
It's spiritual, right?
No. It's carnal.
I know, the flesh and the spirit are one and the same essence.
But it isn't true.
Lots of priests hang up their cassocks and marry.
Well, I won't.
Why not?
- We could go far away. - Where?
- Anywhere. - For what?
So I could end up teaching civics?
What about all my studies?
That's not the important thing.
No, the important thing is my vocation.
Besides, I can do so much for people as a priest.
Martin.
Do you know the Clare nuns, Father?
I think they have a convent in Santa Marta. Why?
Because little Amelia wants to become a nun with them.
Amelia, a nun?
That's what Father Amaro said.
He has been preparing her for a long time.
For a long time? Where?
In a little room, out by the workshop.
He says it's a secret.
Where is he?
She's just a child. Didn't you notice?
We both know what we are doing.
- You are a priest. - I'm also a man.
- You took a vow of chastity. - Because I was forced to.
I'm going to have to inform the bishop.
- No, you won't say anything, Father. - Just wait and see.
Then I will tell him what I know about Sanjuanera.
It's not the same thing, damn it!
Sanjuanera is different.
- That poor woman... - It's the same, Father.
Are you blackmailing me?
The host is sacred!
You'll be damned, you little brats!
Blessed and praised be the host consecrated unto God...
Guess who called my boyfriend?
- Who? - Ruben.
He said he's working at another newspaper in Mexico City.
- What's that to me? - You still hate him?
I do.
- Why so much...? - Amelia!
I'll see you.
I need to talk to you.
- We have to find another place. - I'm pregnant.
Are you sure?
Is that all you can say to me?
May I talk to you, Father?
To confess?
No, I just want to talk.
You're in big trouble, boy.
I do want to confess.
Father, I have sinned.
Hail Mary, full of grace.
I have lied.
I have committed the sin of pride.
I abused the trust of people who opened their house to me.
Like Herod, I chopped off innocent heads.
I have offended God.
I have committed the sin of lust.
I fornicated with a virgin who was a child!
- He must go to Mexico City immediately. - I'll go with him.
How are we going to get him to Mexico City now?
It is quite a severe coronary.
But how can we take him by plane?
By anything, but hurry.
- From where? - Figure out where.
Hello? Put me through to Don Chato, please.
- Mr. Chato Aguilar. - You can't call him.
- Father Benito. - No!
We're talking about his life!
Be careful, son. He's very fragile.
It looks bad, really.
We'll get in touch later.
I'm giving you just enough time to find another job.
I didn't want to hurt you, Father.
By the time Father Benito gets back there will be another sexton here, okay?
You haven't been to the restaurant.
Nor you to mass.
We have to talk about my pregnancy.
- Have you told your mother? - No one.
I don't know what to do. I can't think.
You could go to Villa Aldama.
Stay there nine months and put the baby up for adoption.
Is that what you want?
- For me to give my baby away? - Listen to me, Amelia.
I'm a priest.
I can't jeopardize my priesthood.
Besides, you knew that from the beginning.
No!
I'll have my baby here! I don't care if everyone knows it's yours!
- Don't say stupid things. - It is yours!
Shut up, you dumb bitch! Shut up! Shut up!
Forgive me.
Ruben is here.
Ruben your boyfriend?
He's working in Mexico City. He came to see his father.
Have you seen him?
Maybe he'll want to marry me.
Would you like that?
To save my baby, I would do anything.
Hello.
What are you doing here?
Can I talk to you?
Could you forget it all?
I've forgotten it.
You wanted to marry me, remember?
Yes.
I would have done anything for you.
Not anymore?
Take me to Mexico City with you.
You don't love me anymore, do you?
No, not anymore.
My love ended.
- Forgive me for blurting it out like this. - That's okay.
Of course I'm worried about his condition.
But alas, only God knows, son.
Father Benito has fulfilled his mission on earth.
Let me know when you hear anything.
Meanwhile, you take over his affairs.
You understand, right? We're going to renew construction on the hospital.
No, no, no.
What concerns me most right now is Father Natalio.
If he won't accept another diocese, I can't wait any longer.
If you can't sort it out, who can?
Excommunication, son.
A decree to be read in all the churches...
...and all over the country.
He won't even be able to get into the rural schools.
You must deliver it to him personally.
And we'll see. Either he gives in or he's fucked.
Let me know.
Yes.
Did you talk to Ruben?
Yes.
Yes, of course.
I have a suggestion, Amelia.
Do you know where Dionisia lives?
Here?
Good evening.
Dionisia?
What a surprise! What an honor!
Come in, Father dear, come in.
Look, this is my private church.
Let me introduce you to my saints.
Here is my Saint Anthony, Saint Joseph, my Virgin of Guadalupe...
- Sit down, Father. - I'm in a hurry.
Yes.
And how is the little girl?
Happy.
Listen, I heard in confession that you know a doctor...
A doctor, I don't know...
One of those who does...
Does what, Father?
Brings children into the world.
- And also... - Mother of God! The girl is pregnant?
No.
What you want is an abortion, Father.
I don't know if this is enough.
No, it takes a lot more. But don't worry.
We'll settle up later. First let me see.
- Yes. - I'll let you know in time.
God bless you, Father.
Yes.
Excuse me.
- Mother of Jesus. - Pray for him.
- Mother of divine grace. - Pray for him.
- Tower of David. - Pray for him.
- Tower of ivory. - Pray for him.
- House of gold. - Pray for him.
- Heaven's gate. - Pray for him.
- Refuge for sinners. - Pray for him.
- Consolation of the afflicted. - Pray for him.
- Aid for Christians. - Pray for him.
- Queen of angels. - Pray for him.
- Queen of the apostles. - Pray for him.
- Queen of the patriarchs. - Pray for him.
- Queen of all the saints. - Pray for him.
- Queen of the apostles. - Pray for him.
- Queen of prophets. - Pray for him.
They found Lucas in a canyon.
Three years ago they killed his father and two brothers.
Chato Aguilar's men.
What about the municipal guards?
They help them.
But someone should be told. The authorities.
If you only knew of all we've accomplished.
Things are settled differently around here. Don't worry.
Can I ask you a moral question?
Well, I don't know a lot about moral theology, but...
Ask away.
What do you think about abortion?
We don't have that problem around here.
But in your parish you do, huh?
I don't know. In some cases, one would have to consider it.
Yes.
And how is the bishop?
Look, he sent you a fax.
It's a suspension ad divinis against you.
And excommunication too.
You are out of the church now, Natalio.
You can't officiate, or give the sacraments anymore.
You have to go before the bishop.
No...
...I'm not going before anyone.
Out of the church.
If they want to kick me out, I'm already here.
I'll stay on as just another peasant.
I chose this path.
And you?
Believe me, I admire you, Natalio.
Well, I have to go.
Holy Virgin among virgins...
...don't let me fall, or lose my way in adversity.
I have been your faithful son...
...since I was a child.
You have protected me along the path of duty.
Do not forsake me in this crucial hour.
My Mother, grant me a miracle, please.
Save me, Holy Mother.
My mother called from Mexico City.
- What happened? - They've operated on Father Benito.
They'll be back in two weeks.
That's good.
What you told me over the phone, I thought about it.
No.
No. Think about it more.
You have to do it of your own free will.
Heaven purify my soul.
My spirit is filled with emotion when I contemplate the blessings of my Lord.
You have shed your light on your servant...
Grant me a miracle, Holy Mother.
Save me.
Friday at 2 in the morning.
Bring double the amount that you gave me.
Right on time, Father.
As you should be.
And the girl?
Don't tell me she chickened out?
Too bad, Father.
Straight ahead, straight ahead.
Take the next turnoff to the left.
It's all very clean.
It's a hospital.
- Wait. I want to talk to the doctor. - You can't go in.
I'll take care of it.
- I have to see the place. - No.
The money.
Come, come, Amelita.
Everything will be fine.
Ask God to watch over you.
Pray for me, okay?
Come, Amelia, come.
Come, child.
I'll be here, I'll be here.
Good evening, young man.
- Good evening. - Don't you remember me?
- No. - We met on a bus.
When we were held up, remember?
Oh, yes.
I always remember how good you were.
There aren't people like that, anywhere.
I couldn't open the store with my grandson, like I told you.
I wandered around and around.
Until I got a job here as a night watchman and handyman.
- Here at the hospital? - That's what they call it.
You came for them to relieve your girlfriend?
I came for them to relieve me.
Don't worry. They all come out okay.
Screwed, but content.
God willing.
A hemorrhage! It won't stop!
What?
We're treating her, get out! You can't take her!
- Out of my way! - She'll bleed to death!
Wait!
She's bleeding to death.
Go straight.
- In Santa Marta... - Open it.
...there is a good hospital. - Yes, I know, doctor.
I have to go. I have to go!
Take me, take me!
Take me!
Christ, sanctify me! Body of Christ, save me!
Passion of Christ, comfort me! Blood of Christ, intoxicate me!
Good Jesus, hear me!
I don't want to die.
You won't die. You won't die.
Thy two breasts are like two young roes That are twins...
Wait, Amelita, wait for me.
Wait, Amelita.
Amelita?
Poor little girl. Imagine that.
What happened?
Well, it turns out that Ruben...
...Don Paco's son, got her pregnant. Imagine that.
What a bastard.
Well, the poor thing was desperate.
She went to one of those horrid clinics to get rid of the baby.
Father Amaro, who is a saint...
...I don't know how he did it, went to save her.
Did he save her?
He got her out of there and took her to a hospital in Santa Marta.
But the poor thing had already bled to death.
And she died?
Yes, she died.
How awful.
Gordo, you have to close those clinics down. Today, okay?
The holy sacrifice of mass which we celebrate today...
...we offer for the soul of our dear sister Amelia.
Lord grant her eternal rest...
...and may His perpetual light shine upon her.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
Amen.
- The Lord be with you. - And with your spirit.
The grace of our Lord Jesus...
...the love of the Father...
...and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all.
And with your spirit.
- I confess... - I confess...
...before God almighty and before you, brothers...
...that I have sinned greatly...
...in thought, word, deed and by omission.
For my faults, my faults, my great faults.
For these I pray to Holy Mary, always Virgin...
...and the angels and the saints...
...and all of you, my brothers...
...who intercede for me before God our Lord.