Colorado student sacrifices life during school shooting, sparks discussions about potential sainthood
In the quiet town of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, a remarkable journey towards sainthood has begun for a young man who embodied faith, service, and selflessness - Kendrick Castillo.
Five years ago, Kendrick, an 18-year-old apprentice, lost his life heroically during a school shooting at the STEM School Highlands Ranch. His actions saved the lives of other students, as local officials attest.
Two priests from St. Mark Catholic Church, where Kendrick's parents are new parishioners, were moved by his selfless act and learned of his strong Catholic faith and evangelistic spirit. They submitted a petition and preliminary supporting materials for a possible sainthood cause to Colorado Springs Bishop James R. Golka.
The Diocese of Colorado Springs has announced the opening of a formal investigation into the beatification of Kendrick. The sainthood cause materials, spanning 80 pages, classify Kendrick under three of the four means to become a saint.
Kendrick was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was planning to join the organisation after graduating from high school. In recognition of his exceptional character, the Knights conferred honorary membership on Kendrick and gave his parents a Caritas Medal, their second highest honour, months after his death.
Bishop Golka, in a statement, described Kendrick as an "authentically holy person" and urged everyone to privately seek his intercession to God. Father Gregory Bierbaum, the pastor at St. Mark, was similarly moved by Kendrick's heroic actions and felt inspired to pursue a sainthood cause for him.
Since Kendrick's death, some of the faithful have been praying for his intercession. A Douglas County committee is raising funds for a monument in Kendrick's honour and a robotics scholarship in his name.
Kendrick transferred to the STEM charter school on the recommendation of a teacher from his Catholic school. His bedroom was adorned with medals, award ribbons, a Bible, and NASA-labelled accessories, reflecting his passion for aerospace engineering, a field he was days away from pursuing upon graduation.
Despite the tragic circumstances, Kendrick was known for always smiling in photos, as his father fondly recalled. Two students, Alec McKinney and Devon Erickson, were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for carrying out the shooting.
In July 2024, Father Patrick DiLoreto, who will be assigned to St. Mark Church, felt inspired to pursue a sainthood cause for Kendrick after driving on Kendrick Castillo Way. As this journey unfolds, the community continues to remember Kendrick as a beacon of faith, service, and selflessness.
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