Serena Sande

Arriving in wind-swept San Juan to enter the Convent San Tanco, Sister Bertrille , a novice from the U.S., discovers that she can fly. Before Sister Jacqueline and Sister Sixto reach the pier to welcome her, Sister Bertrille is blown into the sea. She swims to the yacht of Carlos Ramirez, a wealthy discotheque owner and unwittingly spoils Carlos' plans for a fun-filled weekend. At the convent, again lifted by the wind, Sister Bertrille concludes that her flying is a quirk of aerodynamics controlled by the tilt of her cornette. Appalled by the shabbiness of the children and lack of space and equipment, Sister Bertrille starts a campaign to raise money. Mother Superior, who has been fighting poverty for years, is outraged when she finds the nuns selling cookies, paintings, and straw hats, putting on a show in the town square. Sister Bertrille learns that Carlos owns a piece of land the sisters need but can't persuade him to donate it to them. When the wind carries her off again, Sister Bertrille stuns a submarine crew by landing on their surfaced craft. Carlos, en route to a rendezvous with Louise, sees Sister Bertrille flying near his plane. Feeling he has had a religious experience, he turns back and donates his land to the convent. Sister Bertrille crashes into an Army base and is held as a spy. She is released when Mother Superior and Sister Jacqueline vouch for her and Carlos testifies he saw her flying. Sister Bertrille sews weights in her habit to keep her grounded and turns down an offer to appear on the Ed Sullivan show.

While flying over a beach, Sr. Bertrille loses her crucifix. A pelican watches while she looks for it. Finding the bird has a bruised leg, she bandages it. When she leaves, the pelican follows her back to the convent. Sr. Jacqueline reports that Fr. Sweeney has come to interview Rev. Mother before he recommends her as Dean of Women at his college. She suggests that Sr. Bertrille refrain from flying during his stay. Irving, the pelican, follows Sr. Bertrille around and shows his affection by dropping fish into her plate in the refectory, joining the children in the classroom, and bringing her seashells. Sr. Bertrille is stunned when Sr. Jacqueline tells her that Irving thinks she is a pelican and has fallen in love with her. She tries to escort him back to the beach but gets stuck in a tree. Rev. Mother and Fr. Sweeney find her dangling. Unable to explain to Fr. Sweeney, Rev. Mother orders Sr. Bertrille to get rid of the pelican. Irving refuses to leave and goes on a hunger strike. Rev. Mother summons a vet, who diagnoses that Irving is suffering from Sr. Bertrille's rejection. As a cure, he brings several girl pelicans to the convent. Irving refuses any substitute for Sr. Bertrille until she tricks him into accepting Emma Lou. The two birds fly off together. Fr. Sweeney leaves. Sr. Bertrille is distressed that he did not recommend Rev. Mother for the appointment, and feels herself responsible. She is happy to learn that Rev. Mother prefers to stay at Convent San Tanco. Later, Sr. Bertrille finds her crucifix, covered with sand. She realizes it is a parting gift from Irving.

The Convent San Tanco suffers through a heat wave. Then Sister Bertrille arrives with air conditioners, wangled from Carlos Ramirez, when he installed new ones in his casino. Meanwhile, gangster Rufus Morgan on his yacht, tells his men, Remick and Martin, that they're taking over Carlos' operations. Pedro, coming to warn Carlos, finds him with lovely Doris Finch. Carlos is worried but determined not to give in. Sister Bertrille's arrival suggests a way out. When Morgan's men come, Carlos introduces Sister Bertrille of the Convent San Tanco as new owner of the casino. Sister Bertrille explains to the disapproving Mother Superior it's just for a few days until Morgan leaves. Carlos hides out on his yacht. Mother Superior at first refuses, but stands up to Morgan's men, even threatening to call the police. Remick and Martin report to Morgan. He summons Sister Bertrille to the casino and insists she play poker with him. With no limit, Sister Bertrille loses steadily. Morgan is sure he's won until Sister Bertrille, bluffing in the final decisive hand, saves the casino. Pedro is sure Carlos is still in danger. Sister Bertrille flies out to Morgan's yacht. Morgan, very superstitious, feels Lady Lucky is flying outside. Heeding her plea to be easy on Carlos, Morgan leaves. Mother Superior rebukes Sister Bertrille. However, she takes full responsibility and asks Sister Bertrille to explain her poker strategy to the Monsignor.