Novitiate

In 1954, young Cathleen Harris lives in rural Tennessee with her disinterested mother Nora and drunk father Chuck. After a heated argument, Chuck leaves, leaving Nora to navigate a series of fleeting relationships while trying to support her daughter.

At the age of 12, Cathleen finds herself longing for affection and discovers solace in Catholicism. Two nuns visit her family, offering her a scholarship to a Catholic girls' school contingent on her academic performance, which sparks her interest in religion.

During her time in the convent school, Cathleen develops a friendship with a young nun who helps her understand her unique relationship with Christ. This bond deepens her commitment to her faith as she embraces her new life.

In 1964, after facing instability from her mother's transient partners, Cathleen decides to leave her troubled home. She chooses to dedicate her life to God by becoming a postulant at the Sisters of the Beloved Rose.

Cathleen joins twenty other girls at the convent, where she must navigate strict discipline under the Reverend Mother Marie Saint-Clair. The training is challenging, with weekly 'chapter of faults' sessions that expose the postulants to harsh penalties for their mistakes.

In contrast to the Reverend Mother, Sister Mary Grace provides compassion and support to the postulants. She encourages camaraderie among the sisters, offering moments of relief in an otherwise austere environment.

The Reverend Mother dismisses correspondence from Archbishop McCarthy regarding the changes mandated by Vatican II. The tension between the progressive ideas of Sister Mary Grace and the traditional stances of the Reverend Mother becomes increasingly evident.

After taking her Simple Vows and becoming a novice, Cathleen experiences an awakening regarding her own sexuality. Struggling with guilt and shame, she finds herself increasingly isolated, reflecting on her internal conflicts.

During a visit from her mother, Cathleen appears frail and malnourished, raising alarms for Nora. Confronting the Reverend Mother, Nora expresses her concerns for her daughter's well-being, but is met with indifference.

Cathleen ultimately faints during dinner due to starvation and is confined to the infirmary. In a vulnerable moment, she shares her struggles with Sister Emanuel, leading to an intimate encounter but also a deepening emotional conflict.

Archbishop McCarthy visits the convent to deliver the news that reforms must take place for the order to survive. This information causes significant distress for the Reverend Mother as she realizes her authority is under threat.

In a chapter meeting, a novice expresses doubts about God, leading to an unusually empathetic response from the Reverend Mother. However, Cathleen's confession about her past with Sister Emanuel leads to her public humiliation, pushing her towards a breakdown.

A pivotal meeting occurs where the Reverend Mother announces the changing directives from the Archbishop concerning Vatican II, including changes in Mass practice and attire for nuns. This moment signifies a major shift in the convent's dynamics.

In a solemn mass, only five of the original postulants remain to take their final vows. Cathleen's response to the question of what she seeks signifies her quest for greater fulfillment beyond the traditional roles imposed upon her.