St. Dominic Savio
Dominic Savio was born of hard working parents on April 2, 1842. Although Dominic was never strong, he spent a happy childhood in his native village of Mondonio in the North of Italy. The resolutions that he made on his first Holy Communion day give us an insight into his sanctity even at an early age.
- I will go often to Confession and Holy Communion.
- I will be most exact in keeping holy Sundays and holy days of obligation.
- Jesus and Mary shall be my friends.
- Death rather than sin.
What is remarkable about these resolutions is not their originality, but the tenacity with which Dominic kept them, renewing them at important moments of his life.
October 2, 1854, was a red-letter day for Dominic because it was on that day he met Don Bosco for the first time. Later, Don Bosco testified that he was amazed to see the wonderful workings of grace in one so young.
"Will you take me with you to study?" Dominic asked him.
"You look like good material to me" responded Don Bosco. "Good material for what?" "To make a beautiful garment for the Lord."
"OK, I'm the cloth then you are the tailor. Take me with you and make me into a beautiful garment".
So it was that Dominic went to the oratory in Turin where Don Bosco had begun his work for young people.
For Dominic and his companions, holiness consisted in being always cheerful, and in doing well their ordinary school duties. He had a tremendous love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and for Mary Immaculate. They were, indeed, his life-long friends.
A trial is always a test of faith and for Dominic this trial came in 1857 when he had to leave Don Bosco and return home to recover from an illness
He knew that he would never return to the priest and the place he loved so much. He died at home on March 9, 1857.
One of Dominic's sisters tells us: One day Dominic came to Don Bosco and asked: " May I have the day off?"
"Where do you want to go?" asked Don Bosco.
"I want to go home because my mother is ill and Our Lady wants to cure her."
"How do you know she is ill? Have you received a letter?"
"No, but I know that she is not well."
Dominic's mother was expecting a baby and was in great pain. Experienced women neighbors did everything they could to help, but it was of no avail. Dominic's father decided to call the local doctor. When he arrived at the outskirts of the town, to his great surpise and consternation, he saw Dominic coming along the road.
The last thing on earth he wanted was for Dominic, to be at home with his mother and to see his mother in that condition, so he took him to his grandmother's house in a little village nearby. He then hurried on to find the doctor. Dominic, determined to see his mother, went straight home. His mother was surprised to see him and said "Go to the neighbors for a while." Dominic smiled, put arms around his mother, kissed her and said "I am going back to school, but first I just want to hug you." He then left.
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