NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) – Community members gathered in Nacogdoches Saturday to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Venerable Antonio Margil de Jesus, a Catholic missionary credited with founding missions across East Texas and helping establish the city of Nacogdoches.
The day-long celebration included a pilgrimage, historical reenactments and a bilingual Mass. Sounds of hymns and group prayer filled downtown throughout the event.
‘The Apostle of Texas’
Father George Elliot, pastor of Catholic Nacogdoches, said Father Margil is recognized as “the Apostle of Texas because he founded missions through East Texas and really was the first person to bring Christianity to this area.”
Elliot said the anniversary carries deep significance for the community.
“The 300th anniversary means that, you know, it’s been genuinely centuries, generations of Christians here in Nacogdoches,” Elliot said. “We speak of Nacogdoches as the oldest town in Texas, we’ve been living here and sharing that community for so many years.”
Pilgrimage ends at site of recorded miracle
To honor Father Margil’s historical and spiritual impact, the community began the day with a 45-minute pilgrimage through Nacogdoches. The walk ended at the site known as the Eyes of Father Margil — the location where, according to historical accounts, he drew water from a rock during a Nacogdoches drought.
Joe Nemec attended the event with his brother and said visiting the site was a highlight.
“We wanted to see with our own eyes the miracle,” Nemec said. “The water is still flowing after 300 years, more than 310 years. So, that’s pretty incredible.”
Nemec said being part of a larger gathering made the experience meaningful.
“There’s been people all from across the state that have come out here,” he said. “And so it’s really amazing to be part of a community that all want the same thing, you know, and are all working and able to have a party and have a good time celebrating the cause and Father Margil.”
City declares ‘Antonio Margil de Jesus Day’
City leaders declared Saturday “Antonio Margil de Jesus Day” and said they hope to create a visitors center devoted solely to Father Margil.
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