St. Dominic Savio

A pupil of St. John Bosco, Dominic Savio pursued holiness through prayer, friendship, study, and ordinary duties before dying at fourteen.

The story

Dominic Savio was born on April 2, 1842, at San Giovanni di Riva near Chieri, in the Kingdom of Sardinia. His parents, Carlo Savio and Brigida Gaiato, were working people who raised their children in the Catholic faith. The family later lived at Murialdo and Mondonio. Dominic was admitted to first Holy Communion at the unusually young age of seven because his pastor recognized his understanding and devotion. He recorded several resolutions, including frequent confession and Communion, keeping Sundays holy, and choosing death rather than deliberate sin.

In October 1854 Dominic met St. John Bosco, who was educating poor and working boys at the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales in Turin. Bosco tested his intelligence and welcomed him as a student. Dominic initially imagined holiness as something severe and extraordinary. Bosco instead taught him to be cheerful, fulfill his duties well, help his companions, and take part faithfully in prayer and the sacraments.

Dominic became known for reconciling quarrels and encouraging boys who were struggling. In 1856 he and several companions formed the Sodality of the Immaculate Conception. Its members sought personal holiness and quietly assisted boys who were new, lonely, or difficult. Some extraordinary spiritual experiences were later reported by Bosco. They belong to the biographical testimony surrounding Dominic and are not necessary to the Church's judgment about his holiness.

Dominic's health weakened, probably because of pulmonary disease. In March 1857 Bosco sent him home to Mondonio in hopes that rest would help him recover. He died there on March 9, 1857, at fourteen years of age. Bosco published a biography of his pupil in 1859, drawing on personal memories and eyewitness accounts. Pope Pius XII beatified Dominic in 1950 and canonized him on June 12, 1954. His canonization showed that heroic holiness is possible in adolescence and can be found in ordinary schoolwork, friendships, family life, and joyful fidelity to grace.

What Dominic teaches

St. Dominic Savio teaches that holiness is not reserved for adults or for those doing remarkable public works. Every baptized person is called to the perfection of charity, as CCC 2013 teaches. Ask for grace to meet ordinary duties with joy and to reject sin without discouragement.

Patronage

adolescents, students, choirboys, young Catholics.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, through the intercession of St. Dominic Savio, protect young people and draw them close to the Eucharist and Reconciliation. Give us cheerful hearts, faithful friendships, and courage to choose what is good. Amen.