SAINT DOMINIC SAVIO

Feast Day: May 6

Lived (April 2, 1842 – March 9, 1857)

Patron Saint of Choirboys and Juvenile delinquents

Dominic Savio is one of the holy persons who lived and died as a Lad.

Born to a peasant family at Riva, Italy. Wjen he was twelve years old, he joined Saint John Bosco as a Student in the Oratory in Turin. He wanted to be a Priest and to assist Bosco in his work with neglected boys.

A peacemaker and an organizer, who founded a group he called the Company of the Immaculate Conception which, besides being devotional, aided John Bosco with the boys and with manual work. All the members save Dominic, would, in 1859, join John Bosco in the beginnings of his Salesian Order. But before then, Dominic had been called home to heaven.

As a youth, Dominic spent hours rapt in prayer. His raptures he called “my distractions.” Even in play, he said that at times, “It seems heaven is opening just above me. I am afraid I may say or do something that will make the other boys laugh.” Dominic would say, “I can’t do big things. But I want all I do, even the smallest thing, to be for the greater glory of God.”

Dominic’s depreciating health led to lung problems and he was sent home to recuperate. As was the custom at that time, he was bled in the thought that this would help, but it only worsened his condition. He died on March 9, 1857, after receiving the Last Sacraments. Saint John Bosco himself wrote the account of his life.

There were thoughts that Dominic was too young to be considered a saint. Pope Saint Pius X declared it was not true, and went ahead with his cause. He was canonized in 1954.