Christian Brothers Conference has established the Brother James Miller Guild to actively promote the cause for canonization of Blessed James Miller, FSC. Launched for the fifth anniversary of his beatification, a newly designed website, brotherjamesmiller.org, will promote awareness of Brother James’ story and support guild activities. The website features upcoming events, a place to submit prayer requests and testimonials, and free resources including lesson plans, prayer cards, texts and videos.
Tom Southard, executive director of Christian Brothers Conference, said, “The example Blessed James Miller gave us as a missionary and educator is a great gift for our Lasallian family and the Church. With the launch of Brother James Miller Guild, more Lasallians and Catholics will come to know Brother James and be inspired by his life. This is an exciting moment as we uphold Brother James’ legacy and invite a wider community of faith to share in the richness of his Gospel witness.”
The guild will host its first event on December 7, 2024, the fifth anniversary of Brother James’ beatification: an online prayer service led by Brother Larry Schatz, FSC, to commemorate the life of Brother James and seek his intercession. Registration is required to attend.
The guild offers student, individual, family, and organization and community membership options. Guild benefits include monthly e-newsletters; bi-yearly mailings of prayer cards, bookmarks and more; access to wider Lasallian news; prayer requests to Christian Brothers; and invitations to exclusive events in-person and online. Join the guild.
About Blessed James Miller, FSC
Martyred in Guatemala in 1982, Blessed James Miller, FSC, is the first religious Brother from the United States to be beatified. Born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, James Alfred Miller first met the Brothers of the Christian Schools during high school and soon after entered formation.
After professing first vows, Brother James taught at Cretin High School in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he was known lovingly as “Brother Fix-It” for his help in repairing the school. Brother James took up a missionary assignment in Nicaragua for over 10 years after taking final vows in 1969.
On a later assignment in Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Brother James taught at Colegio De La Salle and Casa Indígena. At the time, the Guatemalan army forced young men from Casa Indígena into military service, although students were exempt. The Brothers angered the army by proving the boys were students with documentation.
On February 13, 1982, three assailants — presumed to be from the army’s death squad — gunned Brother James down while he was repairing a wall at the school. On November 8, 2018, Pope Francis declared Brother James a martyr of the Church. He was officially beatified on December 7, 2019, at a Mass held on the soccer field of Colegio de La Salle.
One miracle is needed before Brother James’ cause for canonization can move forward at the Vatican. The new Brother James Miller Guild was formed to actively support his cause for canonization.