Noli Me Tangere Chapter 31 Summary, Characters, Lessons, etc.

This post contains a short summary of Noli Me Tangere Chapter 31 – The Sermon. In addition, you will also learn about the characters mentioned in this chapter, the setting, key events, as well as the lessons and important insights you can gain from it.

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Summary of Noli Me Tangere Chapter 31 – The Sermon

Padre Damaso began his sermon in both Tagalog and Spanish, using a passage from the Bible. The sermon was about praising the holy saints of the church and great figures like King David, Gideon, and Roland. However, more than that, Padre Damaso used his sermon to mock Filipinos, especially since he did it in Spanish so most people wouldn’t understand what he was saying. He also took the opportunity to embarrass people he didn’t like.

As the sermon went on, many in the crowd began to feel sleepy and yawn, including Captain Tiago, because they couldn’t understand what the priest was saying. Meanwhile, Maria Clara and Ibarra secretly exchanged glances, expressing their feelings for each other through their eyes. When Padre Damaso switched to Tagalog, he shamelessly criticized Ibarra, though he didn’t mention his name directly.

Padre Salvi was not pleased with what was happening, so he rang the bell as a signal to end the sermon. However, Padre Damaso ignored it and continued preaching for another half hour. Meanwhile, Elias quietly approached Ibarra inside the church and warned him to be careful and avoid going near the stone that would be placed in the grave, as it could pose a danger to his life. No one noticed Elias’ arrival or departure.

See also: Noli Me Tangere Summary of Each Chapter (1-64) »

Important Events in Noli Me Tangere Chapter 31

1. Padre Damaso began his sermon in Tagalog and Spanish, praising saints and biblical figures.
2. He used his sermon to mock Filipinos, especially Ibarra, though he didn’t mention his name directly.
3. Many in the crowd, including Captain Tiago, began to feel sleepy because they couldn’t understand Padre Damaso’s words.
4. Padre Damaso ignored Padre Salvi’s signal to end the sermon and continued preaching for another half hour.
5. Elias warned Ibarra to be careful and avoid the stone that would be placed in the grave, as it could endanger his life.

Characters in Noli Me Tangere Chapter 31

These are the characters mentioned in the chapter 31 of Noli Me Tangere:

Padre Damaso

A priest who delivered the sermon. He used it to mock and embarrass Filipinos, especially Ibarra, though he didn’t mention his name directly.

Padre Salvi

Another priest who was unhappy with Padre Damaso’s actions and rang the bell to end the sermon, but Padre Damaso ignored him.

Padre Sibyla and Padre Martin

Priests who were impressed by the flow of Padre Damaso’s sermon.

Captain Tiago

A prominent figure in San Diego who couldn’t help but feel sleepy during Padre Damaso’s long sermon.

Maria Clara

A woman close to Ibarra’s heart. In this chapter, she exchanged glances with Ibarra while listening to the sermon.

Crisostomo Ibarra

The main character who was indirectly criticized by Padre Damaso during the sermon. He was secretly warned by Elias about a potential danger to his life.

Elias

Another character who quietly entered the church and warned Ibarra about the impending danger.

Read more: Noli Me Tangere Characters and Their Roles »

Setting in Noli Me Tangere Chapter 31

The chapter took place inside the church where Padre Damaso’s sermon was being held.

Lessons in Noli Me Tangere Chapter 31

1. Padre Damaso’s use of his authority as a priest to mock and embarrass others shows the lack of integrity in some people in positions of power. It highlights the danger of abusing religious authority.
2. Elias’ warning to Ibarra shows the importance of having caring friends who are willing to warn or protect you in times of danger. Friendship is crucial in avoiding potential disasters.
3. The lack of interest from the crowd in Padre Damaso’s sermon, especially since they couldn’t understand the language, shows the importance of clear and understandable communication, especially in matters of faith.
4. Padre Damaso’s refusal to heed Padre Salvi’s signal to end the sermon shows selfishness and a lack of consideration for others’ feelings and needs. It demonstrates that excessive boasting can lead to annoyance and alienation.
5. This chapter shows how people can show different faces depending on their intentions. It highlights that true holiness is not measured by the amount one says or their social position, but by integrity, compassion for others, and humility.

See also: Noli Me Tangere Historical Background »

And that concludes the summary, characters, setting, and lessons of Noli Me Tangere Chapter 31. If you found this lesson helpful, please share it with others so they can learn as well.

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Read next: Noli Me Tangere Chapter 32 Summary, Characters, Lessons, etc. »