We are celebrating the 192nd anniversary of Juan Vargas settling in San Antonio,Texas. He was born in Oaxaca, Mexico as an Aztec Indian, fought with Fr. Hidalgo for Mexican Independence. He settled in San Antonio when it was a pueblo and was considered a big landowner. His claim to fame among many things is that he was not only an eyewitness to the Battle of the Alamo, but was captured by Santa Ana during the siege because he resisted recruitment to fight against his neighbors, the Texan heroes. After the battle, he was forced by Mexican troops to gather the bodies of the Texans and build the actual funeral pyre, which became their final resting place. He lived to 115 years of age, was a patron of the Diocese of San Antonio, donated a chapel and property, which eventually became the land that Our Lady of Perpetual Catholic Church currently sits. In 2018, he was recognized by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, for his contributions as founder of San Antonio and they put a medallion on his tombstone making him a “Citizen of Texas.”
At the 2022 Reunion, on Nov. 19th, there will be a special ceremony at 2pm to be attend by the Archbishop of San Antonio, who will bless the 600 descendants, to be followed by a presentation of the Mayor’s proclamation commemorating Nov 19, 2022 as Juan Vargas Reunion Day! There will be food trucks, games for adults and children, a DJ, mariachis, a photo legacy slide show presentation of all the family tree descendants, an Elder Vargas recognition ceremony, and a cake-cutting ceremony. A professional panoramic photo will be taken of all the descendants.
2022 Juan Vargas
Family Reunion
DATE/TIME:
Nov. 19, 2022, 11-5pm
ADDRESS:
2600 Rigsby Ave.,
San Antonio, TX 78222
