Remembering Brother James Miller, FSC

Brother James Miller, FSC, was beatified Saturday morning, December 7, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. On Feb. 13, 1982, at the age of 37, Brother James was assassinated because of his efforts on behalf of indigenous students in Huehuetenango. A year ago last fall, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis approved a decree recognizing that Brother James died as a martyr. The beatification of Brother James was a first for a De La Salle Christian Brother from the United States. 

Brother James’ journey from a rural Wisconsin farm to the Christian Brothers, to his adoption of the name Brother Santiago during his time educating and advocating for the poor in Central America, to his tragic death and subsequent beatification is a story that touches Saint Mary’s Brother Bernard “Bernie” LoCoco, FSC, both personally and spiritually. 

Brother Bernie knew Miller as a junior novice. In the early 1960s, Brother Bernie taught at Cretin High School in Saint Paul, Minn. “There was an orphanage on the far end of the property that the diocese owned. So, we put our young aspirants there for a year. And I was teaching at the high school, so they asked me to be the sub-director of that group. So, I lived with Jim Miller for that one year, and I knew him as a teenager.”

Brother Bernie recalled that even back then, he recognized the qualities of confidence and character in Brother James. “Maybe it was the simplicity of his coming from a farm, being the oldest of five kids. He was quiet, likable. He loved the outdoors—a very hard worker. Sometimes, he’d be late for things because he was preoccupied with either his work outside or attending to the needs of students.”

Over the years, Brother Bernie remained in contact with Brother James, and in his role as the Provincial for the Saint Louis District (now the Midwest District), Brother Bernie became increasingly aware of the challenging circumstances Brother James faced in Central America. “Jim was down in Nicaragua; he developed a passion for the missions, the poor—that was one of the reasons I think he studied Spanish. And he was a pretty good student; he had a gift for it.” 

In the early 1970s, Brother James used his gifts and talents working with the poor and teaching in Nicaragua, which was involved in a long civil war. “The leadership was concerned because there was violence. And Jim would speak out; he was an advocate for his students,” recalled Brother Bernie. Out of worry for his well-being, Brother James was recalled from Nicaragua in 1979.

After teaching high school in the United States, in 1981 Brother James was sent to teach at a secondary school in Huehuetenango and worked at an education center where indigenous Mayans from rural villages studied and trained in agriculture. At the time, Guatemala was also involved in a civil war, and it was a military practice to force students into service. Brother Bernie recalled that one of the Brothers at Brother James’ school drew attention from repressive forces for protesting the conscription. 

“That type of pressure and protesting was not acceptable,” said Brother Bernie, adding that the Brothers at the school were later warned that one of their lives was in danger. In a letter written a month before his death, Brother James acknowledged the risk and how his faith had sustained him. “I have been a Brother of the Christian Schools for nearly 20 years now, and commitment to my vocation grows steadily stronger in my work in Central America. I pray to God for the grace and strength to serve Him faithfully among the poor and oppressed in Guatemala. I place my life in his providence. I place my trust in him.”

On February 13, 1982, Brother James was focused on repairing a wall at the school, when three gunmen approached from behind and fired repeatedly, ending his life. That year saw one of the most violent periods of the brutal Guatemalan conflict, and the gunmen who killed Brother James were never identified. Brother Bernie remembers the incident well. As the then Saint Louis District Provincial, he was scheduled to be at the Guatemalan school for a visit with Brother James on the day of the murder. However, emergency hospitalization for kidney stone surgery kept him stateside.

When asked about the significance of the beatification, Brother Bernie paused and reflected for a long moment. “I think Brother James Miller represents the strength of the charism of De La Salle. Brother James wanted to work with the poor, and he was aware that he might be in danger. I think he represents what we’re all called to be in living the life of a Christian Brother fully. And that fidelity, at the expense of knowing that his life might be in danger, that’s pretty heroic. It’s a good model for all of us.”

Saint Mary’s has long held a great appreciation for the legacy of Brother James Miller, said Vice President for Mission Frances Sweeney ’86, MA ’08. “Our Mission and Ministry Center’s Santiago Community is a designated living-learning community for SMC students who desire to explore community, justice, and spirituality,” Sweeney added. “We are proud to promote the Lasallian values and convictions associated with Brother James in our student faith communities and across all of Saint Mary’s College.” 

For more about the beatification, visit the Christian Brothers online resource page on Brother James Miller.