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FRAY ANTONIO MARGIL DE JESUS:
MISSIONARY
by
Archie P. McDonald, PhD
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Some years ago the
Israeli consul stationed in Houston came to Nacogdoches for a talk. As a courtesy
to this distinguished visitor, a tour featuring historical sites was arranged.
The guide took the consul to a crossing of Lanana Creek near where the
miracle of "The Eyes of Father Margil" was believed to have occurred.
"The Eyes" refers to an incident in which Margil, the ecclesiastical leader
of six Spanish missions in East Texas, struck a rock twice in the dry creek bed
during a time of drought and water poured from the places his rod had touched
to sustain the mission until rains restored the creek.
"Moses did this!"
said the consul. The guide could only reply, "I didn't say he was original, only
miraculous."
This miracle worker was born in Valencia, Spain,
in 1657. Margil gave evidence at an early age of devotion to the church and an
intention to make it his life's work. He became a Franciscan in 1673 and emulated
the order's founder by refusing to ride horseback or in a cart, always choosing
to walk to punish the body. When one considers that he walked from Central America
to East Texas and back fulfilling his duties, appreciation of the commitment grows
large.
Margil received holy orders and accepted assignment to
missionary work in New Spain in 1683. He first served the missionary College of
Santa Cruz de Queratero in Yucatan, Costa Rico, and Guatemala, then founded the
missionary College of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe de Zacatecas in 1706.
Margil traveled to East Texas after the expedition of Domingo Ramon had
established four missions in the area in 1716, including one in Nacogdoches.
The following year he assisted with the founding of two more, Nuestra Senora
de los Dolores and San Miguel de los Adaes. Later he established the
most successful mission in Texas, San Antonio de Aguayo, in San Antonio.
None of the East Texas missions succeeded in converting a great many Indians
to Christianity, but they played a significant role in holding on to the area
for Spain.
Margil died in 1726, and has been considered for sanctification
by the Roman Catholic Church. His work in East Texas was but the beginning of
the work of the Franciscans in all of Texas
All
Things Historical
September 2-8 , 2001
Published by permission.
Archie
P. McDonald is Director of the East Texas Historical Association and author or
editor of over 20 books on Texas |
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