What Did Antonio Margil De Jesus Do, Antonio Margil de Jesus was a Spanish Franciscan missionary who played a significant role in, General, what-did-antonio-margil-de-jesus-do, JPOSE
Antonio Margil de Jesus was a Spanish Franciscan missionary who played a significant role in spreading Christianity throughout Mexico and Central America in the 17th and 18th centuries. He was known for his piety, dedication, and tireless effort to evangelize the indigenous population.
Margil was born in Valencia, Spain, in 1657 and joined the Franciscan order at the age of 17. He was sent to the New World in 1683, where he spent the next 50 years of his life. He arrived in Mexico City and was sent to the Sierra Gorda region, where he lived among the Pame people and learned their language.
Margil's mission was to convert the indigenous people to Christianity, and he did so with great success. He established many missions throughout Mexico and Central America, including in Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica. He preached to thousands of people, baptized them, and built churches, schools, and hospitals to serve their needs.
Margil was known for his ascetic lifestyle, his humility, and his commitment to poverty. He slept on the ground, ate only one meal a day, and wore a rough habit made of goat hair. He traveled on foot, often barefoot, and carried nothing with him except his Bible and a wooden cross.
Despite the many challenges he faced, Margil remained steadfast in his mission. He survived attacks by hostile tribes, earthquakes, and even a hurricane that destroyed one of his missions. He was also a prolific writer, producing many letters, sermons, and spiritual writings.
Margil's legacy lives on today in the many churches and communities he helped to establish. He is remembered as a courageous and selfless missionary who dedicated his life to spreading the word of God and serving the needs of the poor and marginalized.