Escubilion Rousseau (1797–1867)

Biography

Brother of the Christian Schools, Juan Bernardo Rousseau took the name Escubilión and was sent from France to the island of La Réunion. For thirty-four years he opened schools, taught catechism, and devoted special attention to plantation slaves. It prepared them for freedom, defended their dignity and, after abolition, helped them integrate into a society that was still marked by prejudice. His teaching united literacy, Christian formation and human promotion, until he was remembered as "apostle to the slaves."