Before Lourdes, There Were the ‘Eyes of Father Margil’ — a Texas Miracle That Still Flows Today| National Catholic Register
Centuries later, pilgrims still visit the springs Venerable Antonio Margil opened through prayer — living waters that call the faithful to deeper trust in God during this Jubilee of Hope.
Miraculous springs. A holy pilgrimage site still visited by flocks of pilgrims today.
No, this isn’t the grotto in Lourdes, France. In fact, this miraculous site predates the apparitions in Lourdes and is located in the most unlikely places: a little town called Nacogdoches, Texas.
One of the Jubilee of Hope pilgrimage sites in the Diocese of Tyler, Nacogdoches is home not only to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, but also the Ojos de Margil, or the Eyes of Margil, a pair of miraculous springs. This site exists for the glory of God as manifested through the faith and prayers of Venerable Antonio Margil.
Antonio Margil de Jesus was born in Valencia, Spain, in 1657. Receiving a call to religious life at a young age, he received the Franciscan habit in 1673. After being ordained a priest, he was sent as a missionary to locations in New Spain — present-day Costa Rica, Guatemala and Yucatán. He joined an expedition led by Domingo Ramón in 1716, which made its way up to East Texas. The group was made up of 75 members, including 12 friars.
When they reached what is now Nacogdoches, Father Margil founded Nuestra Señora de la Guadalupe mission to serve the native people, the Nacogdoche, who lived there. Unfortunately, the region suffered a harsh drought in 1717, causing crops to fail and creeks to dry up. No one could have predicted the miracle that would take place the following year.
In 1718, Father Margil spent a night in prayer for a reprieve for his people. By this point, many people were forced to leave the mission due to the drought, lest they be overtaken by dehydration and starvation. Father Margil received a vision, one that showed him a particular spot near La Nana Creek.
The next morning, he led members of the community to this spot from his vision, and just as Moses did in the desert in the book of Exodus, Father Margil struck his staff against a rock. Immediately, water flowed from two spots, giving the site its name of “The Eyes of Margil.” Thanks to the prayers and faith of Father Margil, the mission and community were saved. Today, the spring is still there, even though the creek itself has been rerouted multiple times.
Father Margil continued his missionary efforts, founding two more missions, including San José y San Miguel de Aguayo, known as the “Queen of the Missions” in San Antonio. He also founded a missionary college in Zacatecas, Mexico, to advance religious education and the training of other missionaries. He concluded the remaining years of his life in Mexico, continuing his missionary work until he died in Mexico City on Aug. 6, 1726.
Though his time in Texas was brief, Father Margil’s impact was monumental. One might even say he was quite successful, even from a secular point of view: He founded three missions, a college, and mastered multiple indigenous languages. However, his most important legacy was that of preaching the Gospel through his words and witness. The miracle at Nacogdoches, while incredible, is simply a small witness to his deep, massive love and trust in God.
His surrender to God’s will was evident in the phrase he always used in his signature: La Misma Nada (“Nothingness Itself”). It was through this self-emptying for the Lord that he became the great instrument that made him one of the most influential missionaries in Texas and even the United States.
In this Jubilee of Hope, let us ask for Venerable Antonio Margil’s intercession. After all, who had greater hope than the friar who prayed, acted in faith, and performed a miracle that saved his starving and dehydrated community?
May we also be so passionate for Christ just as Father Margil was, who once asked his fellow friar, “Do you dare to go with me to set the world on fire?”
And finally, may we ask that God grant Venerable Margil the blessing soon of being beatified so that others may be inspired to preach the Gospel with the same fervor.
Prayer for the Beatification of Venerable Antonio Margil
O Lord Jesus Christ, your apostle Antonio Margil left his homeland to bring the Gospel of Salvation to the people of Mexico and the United States. He endured every hardship and pain for love of you. May you graciously deign to reward your servant Margil by hastening the day when he will be raised to the honor of Blessed and Saint. We ask that Venerable Antonio Margil intercede for us before God by answering this request. Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
