The Cyndi Peterson Show - Inspiring Your Catholic Faith

In this re-released episode of The Cyndi Peterson Show, we revisit the inspiring story of Kendrick Castillo, the Colorado high school senior who courageously gave his life to save his classmates during a school shooting in 2019. Kendrick's extraordinary sacrifice flowed from a deep Catholic faith — a faith he lived daily with joy, service, and love. Since this episode first aired, the Diocese of Colorado Springs has received a petition to open his cause for canonization, beginning the formal process of discernment toward possible sainthood. His community continues to honor him through lasting memorials: • The Kendrick Castillo Memorial Fund and monument at Civic Green Park • "Kendrick Castillo Way," a street named in his honor • A robotics scholarship and lab bearing his name • Annual tributes from classmates and the students he saved Those who knew Kendrick — including the very students whose lives he protected — describe him as kind, humble, and prayerful, living every day with quiet heroism. As the Church begins to study his life and witness, we remember his example as a living echo of Christ's own words: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." — John 15:13

St. Bartolo Longo was once a priest of Satan, a man consumed by despair and spiritual darkness. Yet through the mercy of God and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, his soul was not only restored but transformed — and the barren valley of Pompeii was reborn with him. In this episode, we trace how a broken man, a forgotten chapel, and a damaged painting became instruments of grace that led to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii — a sanctuary that still draws millions of pilgrims. From a priest of Satan to a saint of the Rosary, from ruin to resurrection — discover how God through the intercession of Mary and the power of the Rosary can make all things new.

This episode unpacks the meaning of the verse: "The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force." (Mattthew 11:12). Cyndi provides insights from St. Gregory the Great and St. John Chrysostom - showing that "holy violence" isn't about agression, but about determination. It's the inner strength that pushes through discouragement, forgives when its difficult and keeps showing up for God when it would be easier to quit. Perseverance is what it means to "take heaven by force."

Even the Gaze of a Child: St. Therese, Two Devils, and the Power of Grace. In this episode, Cyndi shares a remarkable story from The Story of a Soul — the childhood dream of St. Thérèse of Lisieux that reveals a profound truth: When we live in the grace of God, we have nothing to fear from the devil. Through Therese's simple yet powerful vision of two frightened little devils, we discover what it really means to live in sanctifying grace — to have the very life of God within us — and why the devil is powerless before a soul united to Christ. Cyndi reflects on the nature of sanctifying grace, the real but limited power of evil, and the courage that comes from holiness.

In this episode of The Cyndi Peterson Show, Cyndi shares the extraordinary true story of Florida police officer Ike Brown, whose 21-year-old son was murdered—and who, by the grace of God, did the unimaginable. Instead of hatred, Ike was filled with divine love. He not only forgave his son's killer but reached out to him, prayed for him, and saw him as his own son. Through Ike's story, Cyndi explores Pope St. John Paul II's teaching on "The Law of the Gift"—that we find our true selves only by giving ourselves away in love, as expressed in Gaudium et Spes 24. This episode also reflects on the courageous forgiveness of Erika Kirk and the transforming power of mercy that heals not only the forgiven but the forgiver too. Forgiveness breaks the back of hell and floods the world with grace. Discover how mercy, freely given, can turn tragedy into redemption—and how you, too, can live the Law of the Gift. Listen now to deepen and inspire your Catholic faith.