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 who served in Guatemala until his murder in 1982. 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. 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. Miller's beatification process opened in Huehuetenango in September 2009 and Miller was named a Servant of God. Pope Francis approved Miller's beatification in late 2018. It was celebrated in Huehuetenango in December 2019.
Life
Early life James Alfred Miller was born premature on September 21, 1944, to farmers in Stevens Point, Wisconsin; his siblings included his brothers Bill and Ralph and sisters Pat Richter and Louise Shafranski. Miller was baptised at Immaculate Conception Church in Custer, Wisconsin. Miller weighed almost 4 pounds (1.8 kg) on birth; as an adult, he stood six feet two inches and weighed 220 pounds (100 kg). He was noted for having a boisterous laugh that could startle people in his adulthood. Miller first attended grammar school in a one-room school house in Custer before entering Pacelli High School, a Catholic school in Stevens Point It was at Pacelli where he first met members of the De La Salle Christian Brothers. In September 1959, deciding to become a priest, Miller entered their juniorate in Glencoe, Missouri, a high school course based on philosophy. He was admitted in August 1962 as a postulant into the order, commencing his novitiate. Miller assumed the habit of the Christian Brothers and assumed the religious name "Leo William." He Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona, Minnesota, where he was award a Master of Arts degree in Spanish language. After Miller finished college, the Christian Brothers assigned Miller to Cretin High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he taught Spanish, English and religious education. He also oversaw maintenance of the facility and coached football. Miller made his perpetual vows to the Christian Brothers in August 1969.After reorganizing the town's volunteer fire department, he was named fire chief.
Service in Nicaragua In late 1969, the Christian Brothers sent Miller to Bluefields, Nicaragua, to teach school They transferred him in 1974 to Puerto Cabezas in Nicaragua, where he helped build an industrial arts and vocational complex. Under his leadership as director, the school enrollment increased from 300 to 800 students. He also accepted the task of supervising the construction of ten new rural schools for the Guatemalan Government. For over 75 years, Nicaragua had been a right wing dictatorship run by the Somaza family. In 1974, the president was Anastasio Somoza Debayle. By the mid-1970's, opposition to the government had developed into a full guerrilla insurrection headed by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN). The government responded with death squads, military operations and the murder of suspected Sandinista supporters. In turn, the Sandinistas, with military aid from Cuba, began executing people suspected of being collaborators with the government. Miller had placed himself at risk with the Sandinistas due to his participation in the government's education initiatives. However, his only interest was in giving the people better schools. Rumors soon arose that the Sandinistas had placed his name on a list of people to be "dealt with."In July 1979, the Sandinistas took Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, and forced Somoza to flee the country. Fearing retribution against Miller, the Christian Brothers ordered him to return to the United States.
Return to Minnesota When Miller returned to the United States in July 1979, the Christian Brothers assigned him again to teach at what was now Cretin-Derham Hall High School.. The students referred to him as "Brother Fix-It" as he dealt with maintenance issues and was often seen with a wrench in his hand. He also assisted students who had forgotten their locker combinations. In 1980, the Christian Brothers sent Miller to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to participate in their Sangre De Cristo renewal program. At that point, Miller reevaluated his plans to enter the priesthood. Since the Christian Brothers did not offer that option, he would have had to join a religious order that did. At that point, he decided to remain a Christian Brother. After returning to Minnesota, Miller became frustrated with his domestic assignments, writing "I'm bored up here” and "I am anxious to return to Latin America."Unwilling to send him back to Nicaragua, the Christians Brothers gave him an assignment in Guatemala.
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