Change of Habit

Dr. John Carpenter heads a clinic serving an underprivileged community in a major metropolis with an ethnic Puerto Rican population. He is surprised to be offered assistance by three women. Unknown to him, the three are nuns in street clothing who want to aid the community but are afraid the local residents might be reluctant to seek help if their true identities were known. The nuns are also facing opposition from the rude and arrogant priest Father Gibbons from the local parish. Dr. Carpenter and the nuns are shown dealing with non-verbal autistic girl Amanda, severely stuttering teenager Julio Hernandez and a man beaten by loan shark enforcers. The nuns at times are sexually harassed by loiterers and one nun, Sister Michelle Gallagher, suffers as an attempted rape. Dr. Carpenter falls for Sister Michelle but her true vocation remains unknown to him. She also has feelings for Dr. Carpenter but is reluctant to leave the order. The film concludes with Sister Michelle and Sister Irene entering a church where Dr. Carpenter is singing to pray for guidance to make her choice.