The Saint Ignatius High School community mourns the loss of Fr. Casper J. Miller, S.J., a 1951 graduate of Saint Ignatius High School and revered missionary priest who spent many years serving in Nepal.
Fr. Miller was born on December 13, 1933, in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from Saint Ignatius High School in 1951, he entered the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus at Milford Jesuit Novitiate.
Fr. Miller felt called to serve internationally and petitioned to do his Regency overseas. He came to Nepal in 1958 when he was 25 years old and was ordained in 1964 at St. Paul’s Church in Kurseong, India. In 1970, he pronounced final vows and transcribed to the Nepal Province. After returning to Nepal, he spent 65 years of his life serving the people of remote and urban areas of the country.
During his working days, Fr. Miller taught hundreds of students and was the oldest missionary to introduce Christianity to the Tamang community in Nepal. He also served as the principal of St. Xavier’s School, Jawalakhel, from 1967 to 1969, and St. Xavier’s School, Godawari, from 1969 to 1975.
Fr. Miller, who held a PhD in Anthropology, served as a Research Writer at Human Resource Development and Research Centre from 1976 to 1987. Additionally, he authored three books: ‘Faith-Healers in the Himalayas’, ‘Decision Making in Village Nepal’, and ‘To Yourself Be True’.
Fr. Miller passed away January 15, 2023, at the age of 89. His life is truly a testament of having heard God's call and answering faithfully and whole-heartedly with a life of service. May we all be inspired by his life and legacy.
We invite all members of the Saint Ignatius community to join us for a Memorial Mass for Fr. Miller on Saturday, February 4 at 11 a.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Chapel.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.