# Crispín — Noli Me Tangere character guide

> Crispín in Noli Me Tangere by José Rizal.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0022-xv-the-sacristans

## Snapshot

The younger sacristan boy of San Diego, accused of stealing church funds, whose only thought is to bring his wages home to his mother.

## Who they are

Crispín rings the bells and runs errands for the senior sacristan, a child whose pay is meant for his mother Sisa's table. When money goes missing, the accusation falls on him — the smallest and least able to defend himself — and the church's discipline becomes indistinguishable from cruelty. His fate is the novel's earliest and sharpest demonstration that in this world, innocence is no protection and the poor pay for the sins of the powerful.

## Relationships

### [Sisa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/characters/sisa)

_family_

Mother and young son, with Crispín's tragic death at the hands of the sacristan mayor driving Sisa mad.

### [Sisa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/characters/sisa)

_family_

Mother and young son, with Crispín's tragic death at the hands of the sacristan mayor driving Sisa mad.

## In the story

### [XIV: Tasio: Lunatic or Sage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/xiv-tasio-lunatic-or-sage)

One of the two boys in the church, about seven years old, who is tasked with ringing the knell for the souls.

### [XV: The Sacristans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/xv-the-sacristans)

The younger brother, accused of stealing two gold pieces, is whipped and dragged away by the senior sacristan.

### [Sisa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/xvi-sisa)

Sisa's younger son, who is learning to read. He appears to Sisa as a vision by the fireplace before Basilio's voice is heard.

### [Basilio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/xvii-basilio)

Mentioned as being held at the convento; Basilio dreams of him being beaten to death by the curate and sacristan.

### [Souls in Torment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/xviii-souls-in-torment)

Mentioned as having stayed in the sacristy and then run away after allegedly stealing; his whereabouts are unknown.

### [The Story of a Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/xxi-the-story-of-a-mother)

Sisa's younger son; she has not seen him and is ignorant of his fate.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/characters/crispin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/characters