Paul Auguste, born in Nisgles, Largentiere, in the Ardeche on 17 November 1875 to Auguste Niez, a farmer and his wife Marie Soleilhac. (His birthplace is too small to be found on the Atlas). He entered the Aubenas Novitiate in November 1890, taking the Habit on 21 April 1892 and making the Vow of Obedience in September 1893.

His postings in France were as cook to St Paul-Ie-Jeune and Robiac and as a teacher to Rocles, Sanilhac, La Rouviere, Goudargrus and Salindres, most of them in the Ardeche department but a couple in Gard. It was while Brother was stationed at Sanilhac that he made his Final Profession on 17 September 1900.

Then came the 1903 expulsions and Brother Paul Eusterius must have shown exceptional leadership qualities for he was chosen as the leader of the group that came out in August, despite the fact that he had only been Finally Professed for three years. Amongst the 15 Brothers accompanying him were Brothers Ambrose, Ernest, Florian, Henry Julian, Leo Ferdinand, Martyrius, Moduald, Paul Camille, Redemptus and Victor – a group that was so much to build up this Province.

After learning English Brother taught in P.E. and Uitenhage before starting on a long period of leadership – of Port Elizabeth firstly (1912), then of Hatfield St (1915), then becoming the founding Principal of the new College at Rondebosch in 1918. He returned as Director of Hatfield St in 1921 for the first of two spells.

When the Brothers took up Bishop Delalle’s offer of opening a second school in Natal, this time in Durban. Brother Paul Eusterius was asked to be St Henry’s first Principal. Thus he could claim to be the founder of prominent Colleges.

His last office was that of Director of the Prestbury training house in 1936. Thereafter he spent short spells in Rondebosch, Uitenhage, Port Elizabeth and Durban before going to the Transvaal, to Koch St, in 1944, where he stayed until 1951. Then, but for a short spell at the Scholasticate in Pietermaritzburg, Brother Paul Eusterius remained in Durban for the rest of his long life. He celebrated both his Diamond and Ruby Jubilees at St Henry’s. He, with Brother Gabriel, was given the privilege of attending Fr Champagnat’s Beatification in Rome.

Brother Paul Eusterius might have been nicknamed “Pinky” due to his shortness of stature but he walks tall amongst the Brothers of this Province.

Any feedback/corrections/suggestions please contact me at martinw.sthenrys@gmail.co.za

Brother Martin