‘My first gift to her was a book about saints. Now she is one’

Lilo Mendoza was only three years old when she died last month, but the impact she has already had on the spiritual lives of both those who knew her and complete strangers is so profound that some are now referring to her as St. Lilo.

Nearly a thousand people attended Lilo’s vigil prayers and viewing at St. Matthew’s in Surrey. Some were relatives from abroad who were in town for a relative’s wedding the same week. Hundreds more were simply touched by the little girl’s witness to Christ at a tender age. They came as pilgrims, not only to pay their respects to God’s little servant, but also to draw closer to him through Lilo’s witness.

In the days after her unexpected death in hospital, Lilo’s parents Camille and Michael have received an outpouring of support, from Gofundme donations to messages of sympathy and prayer. However, it’s the accounts of the spiritual impact that Lilo had on others during her short life that are touching her parents’ hearts, helping to turn the tragic news of her death into a time of consolation and strengthening their own faith.

It was June 19 when Camille and Michael posted on social media the tragic news that their daughter had fallen ill and passed away unexpectedly at the age of three.

“We are devastated and so deeply saddened to share about the passing of our sweet, radiant beam of light,” read the post. “Lauryn Adelie Reyes Mendoza (Lilo), our sunshine girl, left our arms early this morning to be embraced by our Lord.”

Camille later posted an update revealing some of the pain she was experiencing. “Things have been so horrifically painful…” she said.

“I kept waking up again hoping it was all a nightmare, but the reality hasn’t gone away. She left us so soon. She already had a wonderful recovery. We told her we’d be going home. She was up, asking for apple juice – her usual upbeat self. And in less than an hour, we weren’t even able to say goodbye to her. There was no in-between time to even think about her loss. It just happened.”

The announcement of Lilo’s passing resulted in hundreds of social media responses, words of support, and prayers. A GoFundMe page started by her preschool has raised more than $26,000.

The Mendozas, both of whom are marriage mentorship coaches at St. Matthew’s and part of the Couples for Christ community, already see the spiritual effect Lilo’s death has had on others. 

“From those who have reached out to us personally, she has been offered Masses, prayers, even the Camino, from people in Prague, Spain, U.K., Scotland, Mexico, Philippines, Japan, Berlin, Sicily, Ireland, all over the U.S., and of course Canada. We have received strength and consolation from the body of Christ all over and community and support and kind words from those who are not Catholic, but somehow Lilo was able to touch.”

For Camille, it’s clear that Lilo’s short life is serving as a witness to many and having a profound spiritual impact on friends.

“I believe her mission can continue through our hearts and that she has become a way for many people who had never prayed before, to pray, to meet Jesus,” said Camille. “I have seen that through and through in the last four days. I know she’s happy. Happier than I can even conceive of. She’s continued to be with me to tell me so.”

Indeed, the testimonies shared on social media witness to the impact Lilo has already had. One friend related: “You brought me back to my faith, my confidence, taught me how to love others unconditionally and to hold and spend time with my loved ones and live my life to the fullest. Amazed and in awe of you at only just 3 years old you made such a big impact in everyone’s lives.” 

Another young woman posted a testimony about how Lilo and her parents’ love for Jesus had inspired and reaffirmed her faith.

“For a long time I refused to practise my faith and I turned away from my relationship with God … I almost thought that it was naïve to put trust in God and to seek comfort and peace in him when there is so much suffering,” she wrote. 

“However, I’ve been on an incredible journey of rediscovering my faith this past year, and I feel more connected to Jesus than ever before. I recently realized that I’ve been able to receive visions from the Holy Spirit and I so, so, so clearly see Lilo with him. I keep seeing Lilo in little pigtails and I see them holding hands up in heaven. And sometimes I see Jesus with Mother Mary swinging Lilo by her hands, and they’re all laughing and smiling.” 

Another comment reads, “My first gift to her was a book about saints. Now she is one.” 

Lilo’s great love for Jesus at her young age was well known. She knew to speak to him when she needed to share stories with someone after bedtime. She always reminded her caregivers about praying before bed. She eagerly looked forward to receiving a blessing during Holy Communion. Recently she dedicated herself to learning a hymn with actions during children’s liturgy and when praying.

Lilo’s mom told The B.C. Catholic, “It’s been bringing me consolation to hear from priests and friends that she was so pleasing to the Lord, that she was called back (too soon, in my opinion) but his will always supersedes mine, I know for good. And that her mission on earth had been completed.”

Lilo was buried at Gardens of Gethsemani on June 27, with her camera, binoculars, and rosary – three symbols of her life that Father Raffaele Salvino likened to “faith, hope, and love” at her funeral Mass.  

“She has a beautiful resting place,” said Camille. “A plot in the Jesus and the Children Garden, right beside Jesus’ statue. And also beside another three-year-old girl, who we’re sure she’d form a great friendship with. She has daisies and buttercups, and bunnies hopping all around, just as she would have loved.” 

The experience has been a hard reminder to Lilo’s parents that sainthood comes with a cross. “How can things be so horribly painful, and yet through it all, we have come to experience undeniable goodness?” wrote Camille.

“A strong, strong village. A saint eternally praying for us in Heaven. Only by His grace. Through you Lilo, we are coming to more intimately know Christ’s sufferings, and the pain endured by our mama Mary. Oh, this will be a process.”

Which is why many are responding, “St. Lilo, pray for us.”

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