Denver unveils memorial to Catholic teen who died preventing mass murder

A new monument honoring Kendrick Castillo was unveiled Nov. 14 at Civic Green Park in Colorado, drawing community members, clergy, Knights of Columbus, and local officials. 

While the memorial itself was the public focus of the day, the gathering comes at a moment when efforts toward opening a canonization cause for Castillo are moving forward, a development that has drawn attention across Colorado and within the Church.

Castillo, 18, was killed on May 7, 2019, when he and two classmates intervened during a shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch. Their actions are credited with saving the lives of their classmates. Castillo was the only student to die.

District Attorney George Brauchler, who prosecuted the case, spoke at the memorial unveiling, Denver Catholic reported. 

“In a world less touched by evil, we probably wouldn’t be here,” Brauchler said. “But in a world less touched by good, we also wouldn’t be here. We’d be reflecting on the loss of 27 lives. Make no mistake, that was the goal of evil that day.” 

Castillo’s death, described by witnesses as intentional, rapid, and done to protect others, has placed him within a category the Church recognizes as potential “offering of life” (“oblatio vitae”), a path through which beatification may be considered when a person freely accepts death for the sake of others.

In recent months, the Diocese of Colorado Springs has received a formal petition to open a cause for canonization, according to Denver Catholic. If the bishop approves and the cause is officially initiated, Castillo would be named Servant of God, the first of several steps in the sainthood process. At present, no final determination has been made, and the cause has not yet been formally opened. 

In statements to Denver Catholic, Castillo’s father, John, described the process as both humbling and unexpected. 

“We’re humbled,” he said. “The mere words that even mention [canonization] are more important than anything we’ve experienced in this tragedy.”

He said he hopes young Catholics may look to Kendrick’s example of faith practice and service and that the possibility of canonization, while not guaranteed, reflects the way his son’s actions impacted others.

“I hope that Kendrick will especially touch our young people and bring them deeper into faith and become leaders in faith,” John told Denver Catholic. “I hope he inspires them to get involved in their parishes, in their community, in the archdiocese. Pray the rosary, pray to end abortion and defend the sanctity of life. Those are the things that my wife and I hope people look to Kendrick for. I hope people ask Kendrick to pray for them.”