James Miller (religious brother)

For other people named James Miller, see James Miller (disambiguation).

Blessed

Leo William Miller

FSC
Miller circa 1962
Martyr
BornJames Alfred Miller
(1944-09-21)September 21, 1944
Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States
DiedFebruary 13, 1982(1982-02-13) (aged 37)
Huehuetenango, Guatemala
Honored inRoman Catholic Church
Beatified7 December 2019, Huehuetenango, Guatemala by Cardinal José Luis Lacunza Maestrojuán
Feast13 February
AttributesWrench

James Alfred Miller, FSC (September 21, 1944 – February 13, 1982), also known as Brother Leo William or Santiago, was an American Catholic member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

Miller served as a teacher first in Cretin High School before being sent to teach in Bluefields in Nicaragua where he remained until his superiors ordered him to leave. He was requested to leave his work in Nicaragua due to political tensions that put Miller at risk of being killed, but he was frustrated to be sent back to his native home, where he remained for some time to teach.[1][2] He was known for his construction and practical abilities to the point where students at Cretin High School referred to him as "Brother Fix-It." Miller was later sent to Guatemala where he taught, and he remained there until he was murdered. His killer was never identified and brought to justice, despite a long investigation.[2]

Miller's beatification process opened in Huehuetenango on September 2, 2009 - though the cause's formal introduction came on December 15, 2009 - and Miller became titled as a Servant of God.[1][3] Pope Francis approved Miller's beatification in late 2018. It was celebrated in Huehuetenango on 7 December 2019.[4]

  1. ^ a b "Br. Santiago Miller". De La Salle Brothers. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Aaron Mayorga (February 13, 2017). "Murder of a Lasallian Educator: Remembering Brother James Santiago Miller". The Guadrangle. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  3. ^ Darrell Ehrlick (January 4, 2010). "Martyr, SMU grad a candidate for Roman Catholic sainthood". Winona Daily News. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference smum was invoked but never defined (see the help page).