'The Reluctant Saint' tells a somewhat fictionalized version of the story of Joseph of Cupertino, a 17th Century Italian saint. Saint Joseph of Cupertino was said to have been remarkably unclever, but prone to miraculous levitation and intense ecstasies. The movie follows Joseph from his final days living at home with his mother. Because of his slow wits, she has kept him in school despite his being a grown man, older than the other students. He is seen bearing patiently and good-heartedly with being ridiculed by fellow villagers, and enduring failed attempts at work as a laborer. At the insistence of his mother (who saw no viable alternatives), he joins a Franciscan monastery through the influence of his uncle, an authority at the monastery. But trouble follows Joseph wherever he goes, including the monastery, because of his slow wits. Eventually his good heart is noticed by a visiting higher up in the church hierarchy, who orders that he be trained to be a priest.