Colorado teen who died stopping school shooter may be considered for sainthood

Six years after Kendrick Castillo gave his life to protect classmates during a school shooting in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, the Church has begun investigating whether his extraordinary act of self-sacrifice may one day lead to sainthood.

The Diocese of Colorado Springs confirmed this week that it has received a formal petition to open Castillo’s cause for canonization, Denver Catholic reported. Bishop James Golka praised the effort, led by Father Gregory Bierbaum and Father Patrick DiLoreto of St. Mark Parish, who have spent months collecting testimony and evidence. 

“Although I have just begun to review the information submitted, it seems clear that Kendrick was an exceptional young man,” Bishop Golka said in a statement released last week.

In May 2019, 18-year-old Kendrick Castillo was fatally shot while confronting a gunman who opened fire at STEM School Highlands Ranch. Although eight students were injured in the attack, his swift actions allowed others to escape.

“Kendrick gave everything he is, and everything he had — family, a future, a degree, his life — so other young men and women could go back to their families, have a future, graduate and live,” Bishop Jorge Rodríguez, auxiliary bishop of Denver, reflected in his homily at Castillo’s funeral.

Bishop Rodríguez described Castillo’s act as a direct echo of Christ’s words in John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

“Only a young man with God in his heart and possessing a big, good heart can do what he did: to lay down his life to save his friends,” the Bishop said.

Kendrick’s father, John Castillo, has spoken openly about his son’s courage and faith.

“I believe God used him for what he needs him for. He was a tool, a faithful follower…he saved his friends,” John Castillo told the Denver Catholic. “The fact that he did what was in his heart for his friends is more powerful to me than that word ‘hero.’ It really represents who he was.” 

The effort to advance Castillo’s cause for canonization remains in its early stages. In accordance with Church procedure, a local diocese must first investigate whether he demonstrated “heroic virtue” during his lifetime. That responsibility falls to the Diocese of Colorado Springs, as Castillo died within its boundaries. 

While Castillo was active in the Catholic community of Denver, canon law assigns the right to initiate a cause to the diocese where the person died, Denver Catholic explained.

In his statement, Bishop Golka invited the faithful to keep Kendrick Castillo’s family in their prayers and to seek his intercession, particularly on behalf of young people, “that they emulate his example of fortitude and generosity.”

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