EDITORIAL: Kendrick Castillo’s heroic life on trial for sainthood

By The Gazette editorial board August 10, 2025 | updated 22 hours ago

Eighteen-year-old Kendrick Castillo gave his life to protect his classmates from a gunman at STEM School Highlands Ranch, just weeks before his high school graduation in May 2019. He embodies the characteristics of history’s most inspiring saints, so it seems fitting that Colorado-based Catholic leaders are asking the Vatican to recognize him among the church’s more than 10,000 officially canonized saints.

Castillo’s selfless act, which saved countless lives by allowing others to escape, was no isolated moment of bravery. Emerging information tells us it was the culmination of a life devoted to others.

Priests at St. Mark Catholic Church in Highlands Ranch have petitioned the Diocese of Colorado Springs to begin canonization, seeking to recognize Castillo’s heroic virtue as a model for all. This cause for sainthood is a fitting tribute to a young man whose faith and courage inspire us to be better, reminding us that we desperately need more heroes like Kendrick Castillo in our world.

Castillo’s life was a testament to putting others first. His parents, John and Maria, devout members of St. Mark Parish, described a son who loved his Catholic faith, prayed fervently and served others with joy. Whether helping at church or supporting friends, Castillo embodied the Christian call to love sacrificially.

His final act — rushing a shooter to shield his peers — reflected the same selflessness he lived daily. As noted by the Rev. Gregory Bierbaum, pastor at St. Mark, Kendrick’s actions were “consistent with the life he had been leading all along.” This consistency of character, rooted in faith, makes him a compelling candidate for sainthood, an exemplar of how to live virtuously in a world often marked by self-interest.

The Catholic Church’s path to canonization, a rigorous process that typically takes decades, seeks to identify those who lived with extraordinary virtue or died for their faith. Castillo’s case aligns with martyrdom and the “offering of life” category, introduced by Pope Francis in 2017, which honors those who freely give their lives for others in the face of certain death.

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Castillo’s sacrifice, driven by love for his classmates, fits this mold perfectly. The Diocese of Colorado Springs, under Bishop James Golka, is prayerfully considering the petition. Catholics and others of faith in the unknown are encouraged to pray for Castillo’s intercession, reporting extraordinary outcomes — such as healings — as evidence for his cause.

Castillo’s legacy resonates deeply. His community honored him with a memorial in Civic Green Park, renamed a street Kendrick Castillo Way and established a scholarship fund and robotics tournament in his name.

These tributes reflect a collective resolve to keep his memory alive, but sainthood would elevate his story to a global stage, inspiring millions to emulate his courage and compassion. In an era of division and cynicism, Castillo’s life offers a beacon of hope, showing that one person’s selfless act can ripple through generations.

We must remember Castillo not just for his death but for how he lived — putting others’ needs above his own, guided by faith and love. His story challenges us to ask: How can we live for others? How can we summon courage in crisis?

Sainthood for Kendrick Castillo would affirm that true heroism lies in sacrificial love, a lesson our world sorely needs. Let us pray for his canonization and strive to live with the same bold, selfless spirit. Heroes like Kendrick are rare, but their light can guide us all.

The Gazette editorial board

the-gazette-editorial-board@midtc.com

Updated 2 weeks ago

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