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St. Dominic Savio
Beatified on 5-3-50
Canonized on 12-6-54
Feast Day -
6th May
Promise of holiness
Dominic was born on April 2, 1842, in San Giovanni di Riva, near Chieri
(Turin).
On the occasion of his First Communion, at the age of seven, he set out
his life's programme: "I will go to Confession frequently and Communion
as often as my confessor allows. I want to make Sundays and feast days
holy. My friends will be Jesus and Mary. Death but not sin". At twelve,
Don Bosco accepted him into the Oratory in Turin and Dominic asked his
help in order to "become a saint". Gentle, serene and happy, he put
great effort into fulfilling his duties as a student and helping his
companions in every way he could, teaching them Catechism, assisting the
sick and settling quarrels.
Road to holiness
One day he said to a companion, who had just arrived in the Oratory:
"You should know that here we make holiness consist in being always
cheerful. We just try to avoid sin, which is the great enemy that robs
us of the grace of God and peace of heart, and we try to to fulfil our
duties exactly." He was very faithful to his programme of work,
sustained by intense participation in sacramental life, by a filial
devotion to Mary and by joyful sacrifice. God enriched him with many
special gifts.
Love for Mary
On December 8, 1854, when Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate
Conception, Dominic consecrated himself to Mary and began to advance
rapidly in holiness. In 1856, he founded the Immaculate Conception
Sodality among his friends. This was a group dedicated to apostolic
action and peer ministry.
Love for the Eucharist
Mamma Margaret, who had come to Turin to help her priest son, one day
said to him: "You have many good boys, but no one surpasses the beauty
of heart and soul of Dominic Savio". And she explained: "I see him
always praying, even remaining in Church after the others; every day he
leaves recreation to visit the Blessed Sacrament; when he is in Church,
he is like an angel in Heaven". He died in Moriondo on March 9, 1857.
His remains are in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin. His
feast is celebrated on May 6. Pope Pius XI defined him as "A little, or
rather, a great giant of the Spirit". He is patron of young choir
singers.
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