HONORING THE LEGACY OF BLESSED BROTHER JAMES MILLER, FSC HONORING THE LEGACY OF BLESSED BROTHER JAMES MILLER, FSC
BY LOU ANNE M. TIGHE
Brother James Miller, FSC, pictured in a yearbook photo, graduated from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in
BY LOU AN N E M. TIGHE
1966. Courtesy Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
On December 7, 2019, thousands gathered in Huehuetenango, Guatemala, for the beatification of Brother James “Santiago” Miller, FSC. Before this crowd of witnesses, Cardinal José Luis Lacunza Maestrojuán pronounced the Decree of Beatification from Pope Francis. It was a profound declaration born of years of stories, testimonials, research and documentation. With singers and saxophone, guitars, trap set and tambourine, the atmosphere lifted the hearts of all assembled with gratitude and joy. In this experience, one could sense the wisdom of Pope Francis. He encouraged that beatifications take place, not in Rome, but at the mission location of the beatified.
Carlos Canales (president of Colegio De La Salle) carried the relic of Brother James on their shoulders to the altar. Brothers Paul and Dale, who lived in community with Brother James at the time of his death, were both solemn and filled with emotion. These men were not simply transporting a relic; they were carrying the memories of those days before, weeks after and 37 years since Brother James’ death.
Among those who gathered were current students and faculty of the Colegio De La Salle, James’ sister and brother-inlaw, Brothers, Partners, priests, bishops, archbishops and cardinals. Perhaps the most revered guests were the Mayan people, that is, the faithful of Huehuetenango, who lived through the civil war. There were (now adult) students who were educated by the Brothers and families who had lost loved ones. Everyone present was moved with both tears and joy.
On February 10, 1982, the Brothers in Huehuetenango heard from a reliable source that members of the G-2 (a section of the Guatemalan army rumored to be a “death squad”) were looking for the sub-director, a title held by Brother James for Casa Indígena De La Salle, the boarding school, and two other Brothers for Colegio De La Salle. The Brothers discussed what they should do: leave the country, move to a school in another part of Guatemala, or remain at Colegio De La Salle. After individual and community reflection they made the prayerful decision to stay with the 150 boys for as long as possible.¹
During the opening ceremony, Brothers Paul Joslin, Dale Mooney, Julio Herrera and Juan
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