Bronze Bust of Blessed Brother James Miller Installed in Courtyard

November 11, 2019

In anticipation of the December 7, 2019 beatification of Blessed Brother James Miller, FSC, a former student and later a teacher here, Cretin-Derham Hall has installed a new statue in the Link Courtyard (near the Commons). This courtyard will be renamed in honor of Blessed Brother James Miller as well.

This distinctive bronze bust is one of only three in the world. One other one will be in erected in Huehuetenango, Guatemala where Miller was martyred in 1982. The other one will be located on Saint Mary's University of Minnesota campus, where Miller was also a student. The pedestal was designed from the capstones recently recovered from Frey Hall on our campus, which had been originally installed in 1927.

"We are truly blessed to be able to call Blessed Brother James Miller one of our own and this statue helps us honor his life's work," noted Frank Miley, President. "We are proud that our community will now have a visible symbol of this martyr who is on the pathway to sainthood. He is an important part of the Cretin, and now Cretin-Derham Hall legacy." 

The statue was made possible through the generosity of Angie Nichols and her family in honor of her late husband, Jerry '51 and sons Tim '75 and Peter '76.

A formal dedication of the newly named courtyard and the bronze statue will take place this spring. In addition to the courtyard, CDH is in the process of renaming our chapel in his honor as well.

The artist who designed the statue is Alec Smith, who lives in the Macalester/Groveland neighborhood. Miley noted that those who knew Blessed Brother James Miller have said that the likeness is remarkable. 

Several representatives of CDH will be traveling to Huehuetenango, Guatemala for the official celebration of his beatification on December 7, 2019.

Click here for more information and resources on Blessed Brother James Miller, FSC.