Bl. James Miller’s childlike faith prepared him for martyrdom

Feb 22, 2025

By Philip Kosloski
Blessed 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 recognised 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 since his childhood. --Aleteia