Blessed Brother James Miller

Eucharistic Pilgrimage Stop

A visit to the grave of Blessed Brother James Miller in Ellis, WI will be a highlight of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage that will make its way through the Diocese of La Crosse from June 7-12, 2024. That visit will take place on Monday, June 10.

For more information, visit the diocesan Eucharistic Pilgrimage website, which will contain further updates as the day draws closer.

A native of Stevens Point and a De La Salle Christian Brother and missionary, Brother James was gunned down while repairing a wall at the school where he worked in Huehuetenango, Guatemala on Feb. 13, 1982. He was declared a martyr and beatified by Pope Francis on Dec. 7, 2019. He stands as an example of fidelity to the Gospel and humble and fearless service on behalf of the poor and the vulnerable.

Learn more about Blessed Brother James Miller:

Brother James Miller, America’s Newest Blessed – by Fr. Roger Landry

Pope Francis, in his 2018 exhortation on holiness, Gaudete et Exsultate, wrote about the “saints next door,” and in many ways Blessed James is an all-American holy neighbor. He was born in 1944 and grew up working hard on his family’s dairy and chicken farm in Custer, Wisconsin, praying at home, and wanting to be priest. He was fascinated by other countries, reading an encyclopedia from cover to cover to get to know foreign countries and regions where he hoped to bring the faith.

Read Bishop Callahan’s blog on the life, death and beatification of Blessed James Miller.

See Fr. Alan Guanella’s reflection on the significance of Blessed James Miller for the people of central Wisconsin, where he grew up and where he is buried.