The border vidette., 1928-12-01
TRleuTE is PAID FATHER DuvAL
(By r. L. O'Neil ia Herald)

over the year, we find that most
of US have many things for which
to be thankful.
Few Of US, however, here in
in Nogales, are going to feel as
truly thankful, on that great ia
tional day, as will little, old
Father Duval, the local Catholic
priest; for, on that day, be will
see the reward. the elimination
of his untiring efforts and fond
ambition Of many years of faith.
full service.
In Father Duval is found the
embodiment, relic almost, Of
that pioneer spirit of self sacri
fee of the early mission priests;
whose footsteps are now being
traced with such admiring won.
der throughout the Americas.
The mission buildings still stand
ing, after more than three cen
turtles, and the ruins Of others
slowly crumbling away, speak
only, however, of successful &C
comp plishment here and there;
but few are the records to tell OF
the failures, Of the sacrifice of
life and all in the ad vance Of
faith and civilization.
Here In Old Days
A mission priest, Father Du
val, came to Nogales many years
ago; scattered railroad village;
q place of saloons. gambling
bells and brothels; wild and
woolly, and wide open in every
respect. A small Catholic chapel
stood alone on a bill to the porth
| west of the town at which be
was to administer to the spiritual
needs of scanty congregation.
Under his capa BILE guidance the
congregation grew and was soon
obliged to enlarge the church
and, later through his efforts, a
convent school was built. An
active man be was called away
from time to time for other work
in Arizona, and other priests
came and went. But this was
Father Duval's owA parish from
the first and not even clerical
advancement in rank throughout
the years have caused him to
falter in devotion to his chosen
field. During the war he return
ed to his native land, France,
where he rendered invaluable
service in that great cause.
During his absence came other
priests to this parish, but none
of them could put their whole
hearts into the work to be done
as had Father Duval. He was
awarded a superior position in
Tucson, upon his return from
France. but Nogales continued
to draw him anxiously and never
for a moment did be lose touch
with conditions here.
When be returned at the first
opportunity it was to find parish
affairs in q chaotic condition.
Payments on the convent school
building we're in arrears-to
mention one item-to a stagger.
ing amount and creditors were
pressing on every hand. The
Catholic congregation is not a
wealthy one by any means but,
by constant personal appeal and
effort, the proud day came when
Father Duval could announce
from the pulpit that the parish
was entirely out of debt. A
great achievement in the cir,
cumstahces, but Father Duval
was still unsatisfied. Almost at
once be announced his intention
of building bigger and better
church; and the requirement had
become indeed great. With the
iexile of the clergy from Mexico
and the advent of numerous
priests and nuns, followed by
many of the faithful from that
unhappy country. it became i'm
perative to provide more ample
facilities for their requirements,
as we'll as for those of our own
growing population.
Without hesitation Father Du
val shouldered this new and
overwhelming responsibility. 1t
was not question of resources;
these were conspicuous by their
absence. But: "The Lord will
provide" was, and has ever been
his slogan; and the result of his