St. Dominic Savio
St. Dominic Savio
When they lived: St. Dominic Savio was born on April 2, 1842, in the village of Riva di Chieri, near Turin, Italy. He lived a short but impactful life, passing away at the tender age of 14 on March 9, 1857.
Where they lived: St. Dominic Savio spent the majority of his life in the beautiful and picturesque Piedmont region of Italy. He grew up in a humble and devout family in a time when industrialization was beginning to reshape the landscape of Europe.
Notable world events during the time of their life:
- 1851 Great Exhibition: This groundbreaking event in London showcased the advancements of the Industrial Revolution, with innovative technologies, cultural displays, and architectural marvels. It symbolized the dawn of a new era and had a significant impact on how people viewed progress.
- 1848 Revolutions: The year 1848 witnessed a series of revolutionary uprisings across Europe, often called the “Spring of Nations.” These movements aimed for political and social change, advocating for democratic principles. Although not directly related to Catholicism, these events shaped the political landscape of the time.
- Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species” (1859): Published a couple of years after St. Dominic Savio’s passing, Darwin’s groundbreaking work laid the foundation for the theory of evolution. This scientific revelation stirred discussions about the relationship between science and religion.
Their patronage: St. Dominic Savio is best known as the patron saint of youth, students, and choirboys. His dedication to holiness from a young age makes him an inspirational figure for the youth of today. He is also a patron for those seeking purity and a model of virtue, reminding us that even in a brief life, one can make a lasting impact on the world through faith, kindness, and devotion.
Holiness Knows No age.
Dominic Savio was born on April 2, 1842, in the village of Riva in northern Italy. His father, Carlo Savio, was a blacksmith, and his mother, Brigida Gaiato, was a seamstress. He had nine siblings. Dominic’s family was poor but hardworking, but most of all, they were devout and pious Catholics.
As a small boy, Dominic loved the Lord and the Church. He showed exceptional piety and devotion in practicing his faith as a Catholic. Dominic never missed attending Mass in their church with his mother. He was often seen kneeling and praying before the Tabernacle. Aside from his prayerfulness, young Dominic was also quickly recognized as an excellent student, studying hard and performing well in school.
Desiring to serve God, he became an altar server. He attended the daily Mass and regularly went to confession. He requested that he receive his first communion at the age of seven, which was not a practice in Italy at the time. However, Dominic’s parish priest was so impressed with the boy’s intelligence on the faith and his piety and love for the Lord that he made an exception to Dominic’s case. The day of his First Communion, said Dominic, was the happiest day of his life. On that day, he wrote four promises in a little book: I will go to Confession often and as frequently to Holy Communion as my confessor allows; I wish to sanctify the Sundays and festivals in a special manner; My friends shall be Jesus and Mary; and Death rather than sin.
Dominic Meets His Guide
Dominic’s teacher spoke highly of him and brought him to Don Bosco‘s attention. In October of 1854, together with his father, young Dominic was personally introduced to Fr. Bosco. At their meeting, Fr. Bosco wanted to test Dominic’s intelligence and understanding of the Catholic faith. He gave him a pamphlet containing apologetics. Fr. Bosco expected him to report the next day, but to the priest’s surprise, Dominic returned to him just ten minutes later, recited the text, and explained its significance.
When asked what he wanted to be, Dominic expressed his desire to become a priest. He asked Fr. Bosco to take him to Turin to attend the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales, to which Fr. Bosco happily agreed. At the Oratory, Dominic studied directly under Fr. Bosco. He worked diligently and asked questions when he did not understand something.
After six months in the Oratory, Dominic delivered a speech about the path to sainthood. However, Dominic’s desire to become a saint deeply troubled him. He wondered how a young person like him would become a saint. Because of his ardent desire, he tried voluntary mortification and penances, with the hope that these would help him grow closer to Jesus and be less concerned with his own desires and needs. When Fr. Bosco learned about this, he quickly corrected Dominic, explaining to him that what he should do instead was devote himself to studies and be cheerful. And so Dominic stopped his physical punishments, and his happy disposition quickly returned.
Holiness Until the End
While he was developing his reputation as an excellent student,Dominic’s health started to fail. Fr. Bosco became concerned about the boy’s situation, so he took him to the doctor, who recommended that the boy be sent home to recover. However, Dominic wanted to stay at the oratory, but Fr. Bosco insisted that he go home. Before he departed, Dominic performed the “Exercise of a Happy Death”, predicting that this would be his final devotion.
After four days in their home, Dominic’s health worsened. He showed little sign of recovery, but Dominic was sure of his impending death. He asked his parents to bring the parish priest so he could make his last confession and be given the last sacrament. He asked his father to read him the prayers for the “Exercise of a Happy Death.” Then Dominic fell asleep. Hours later, he awoke and said to his father, “Goodbye,Dad, goodbye… Oh, what wonderful things I see!” Dominic fell asleep and died within minutes. The day was March 9, 1857.
Detractors argued that Dominic was too young to be canonized and pointed out that he was not a martyr. However, Pope Pius XII beatified him on March 5, 1950, and the same Pope canonized him on June 12, 1954. St.Dominic Savio’s feast day is May 6.
5 Interesting Facts About St. Dominic Savio
- St. Dominic Savio is the patron saint of choirboys, the falsely
accused, and juvenile delinquents. - Pope Pius XII described St. Dominic Savio as “small in size, but a
towering giant in spirit.” - St. Dominic Savio founded a group at the Oratory called the Company.
of the Immaculate Conception”, which devoted itself to the then-novel
idea that Mary was born without original sin, and encouraged added
devotional focus among its members. - Deeply touched by St. Dominic Savio’s life, St. John Bosco himself
wrote the young saint’s biography, “The Life of Dominic Savio”, which
was a major element of his canonization. - St. Dominic Savio’s tomb is located at the Basilica of Mary Help of
Christians in Turin, Italy
Prayer to St. Dominic Savio
O Saint Dominic Savio, a model of purity, piety, penance, and apostolic zeal for youth, grant that, through your intercession, we may serve God in our ordinary duties with fervent devotion and attain the grace of holy joy on earth, that we may one day love God forever in Heaven. Amen.
