Born: Amplepuis (Rhône), France, October 12, 1828
Took the habit: Galveston, Texas, January 5, 1853
Priestly ordination: Galveston, Texas, January 29, 1853
Vows: Brownsville, Texas, April 7, 1854 (No.366)
Died: Brownsville, January 9, 1855.
Barthélemy Duperray was born in Amplepuis, diocese of Lyon, France, on October 12, 1828. He was one of the companions of Bishop Odin who founded the missions in Texas. He joined the Oblates in Texas and began his novitiate in Galveston on January 5, 1853. He was ordained to the priesthood in Galveston on the following January 29 and took vows in Brownsville on April 7, 1854. A note after his name in the Personnel Register for 1862-1863, tells us that “On leaving France he was a sub-deacon. Having been ordained to the priesthood, he ministered so zealously in Brownsville and Matamoros, that the most wonderful memories remain.”
He died of yellow fever, after a three-day illness, on January 9, 1855. On the following day, Father Jean Verdet, who had received him into the Congregation, wrote to inform Bishop de Mazenod. Among other things he wrote: “I am not deceiving myself when I say that he is in heaven. I knew him well enough to guarantee what I have stated. I wish you could have met the good Father Duperray: what simple virtue, and, at the same time, what a candid and solid man! I assure you, my Lord and well-beloved father, he was a worthy son of the family. His death was as beautiful as his life.”
Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.
