A troubled amateur boxer, Stuart Long, seeks direction in life after his career ends due to an injury. Moving from his hometown in Montana to Los Angeles with dreams of becoming an actor, he struggles with rejection and a lack of purpose. Needing a job to make ends meet, he reluctantly takes work at a supermarket, where he meets Carmen, a devout Catholic schoolteacher. Her faith intrigues him, prompting him to attend church in hopes of winning her over. Despite his skepticism about religion, a series of personal challenges and a near-fatal motorcycle accident lead him to question his life's path and the fragility of his existence.

As he recovers, Stuart undergoes a profound spiritual transformation that leads him to pursue the priesthood, determined to find redemption and meaning beyond his past mistakes. His decision is met with skepticism from those who knew him before, including his estranged parents, Bill and Kathleen, who harbor doubts about his sudden change. His journey toward ordination tests his resilience and resolve, as he confronts skepticism not only from his community but within himself. Along this path, he contends with ongoing health struggles and reconciles with elements of his past in order to embrace a life devoted to faith and service. Through his perseverance, he inspires those around him by embodying the transformative power of hope and redemption without losing his unique sense of humor and defiant spirit.