In the São Paulo city of São Sebastião, fisherman João Baleia lives with a mute woman, nicknamed Feiticeira, who was raped by three bandits and is feared by the local population. Baleia manages to avenge his wife, killing the bandits and blinding a soldier, but soon after he appears mysteriously dead at the door of the local church, dedicated to São Sebastião, who is reputed to be a valiant saint. The people attribute his death to a miracle of the Saint, as a witness claims to have seen him come down from the altar and do the deed. The image of the saint is sued, condemned and imprisoned. The local priest, leading a popular rebellion, manages to modify the sentence for house arrest and the image can only come out on the day of the procession in his honor.