Bl. James Miller was beatified on December 7, 2019, in a large ceremony held in Huehuetenango, Guatemala, near the location where he was killed by gunmen on February 13, 1982.
After being assigned to a mission in Guatemala, Miller recognized the escalating violence in the country and wrote in a letter, "I pray to God for the grace and strength to serve him faithfully by my presence among the poor and oppressed of Guatemala. I place my life in his providence; I place my trust in him."
He was killed by three masked gunmen, who were not happy with Miller's work with the local population. At the time of his death, Miller was helping the native population with agricultural skills he'd learned at home.
This faith and courage to do what is right, even under the threat of death, did not come out of nowhere. Miller was prepared for this day during his childhood.
Childlike faith
Fr. Greg Michaud, former pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Polonia, Wisconsin (St. Martin's church has been closed down for many decades and members of the Miller family are now parishioners of Sacred Heart), spoke about Blessed Miller's simple example of holiness at a celebration of his life in 2019.
Michaud related how when Miller was growing up, he loved to "play" Mass and would use any old toy or prop to re-enact the actions he saw at church. For example, he used on old clock for a tabernacle and tinker toys for a monstrance.
When Miller was older, one of his main tasks on the farm was tending the chickens. His brother noticed one day that a chicken was dying and saw Miller kneeling next to the chicken, praying to God that it wouldn't die.
At about 12 years of age, Miller walked to church to go to confession and afterwards he remembered that he forgot to do his penance. Instead of returning to the church, he knelt down right in the middle of the road and said his penance before going any further.
Growing-up, Miller retained this childlike faith and was ready and willing to do anything for God's greater glory.
He simply wanted to serve others and trusted God with a childlike trust.
As he wrote in his last letter, "I place my life in his providence; I place my trust in him."
Miller's martyrdom did not come out of nowhere. He grew-up in a strong Catholic home and his faith was cultivated, preparing the way for the ultimate sacrifice a person can make.
