Fray Antonio Margil De Jesus - San Antonio, TX
Posted by: 
WalksfarTX
N 29° 21.717 W 098° 28.755
14R E 550544 N 3248200
Patron Saint of Texas - Founder of Mission San Jose
Waymark Code: WMW89X
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 07/23/2017
Views: 6
Texas State Historical Association
Antonio Margil de Jesús, early missionary to Texas, was born in Valencia, Spain, on August 18, 1657. His parents, Juan Margil and Esperanza Ros, were poor parishioners of the church of San Juan del Mercado.
In his early teens Margil expressed his desire to become a Franciscan. On April 22, 1673, he received the order's habit at La Corona de Cristo in Valencia. Further education included the study of philosophy and theology. At the age of twenty-five he received Holy Orders and soon accepted the challenge of missionary work in New Spain. He departed Spain on March 4, 1683, and arrived at Veracruz on June 6.
In February, 1720 Margil founded at San Antonio the most successful of all Texas missions, San José y San Miguel de Aguayo.
Arguably the most famous missionary to serve in Texas, Antonio Margil de Jesús remains under consideration for sainthood by the Vatican. His career in Texas was brief but served as an inspiration to his Zacatecan brethren, who assumed control of all Texas missions in 1773.
The bronze statue shows a less than life size man in monks robes with hood covering his head. In his right hand is a walking stick.