
One of ten children of a blacksmith
and seamstress. Protégé of Saint John Bosco. Altar boy at age 5. At 12 he
entered the Oratory School preparatory to becoming a priest. Well-liked and pius,
his health forced him to give up his dream of the priesthood. He died at age 15.
His dying words: "What beautiful things I see!"
His birthplace is now a retreat house for teenagers; the home where he grew up
in Morialdo is now a retreat house for children. The final house in which he
lived is the home in Mondonio where the Savio family moved when he was 10, and
where he eventually died. Here you can see his father's metal shop, and his
mother's tailoring shop. His tomb is in the basilica of Mary, Help of Christians
in Turin, not far from the tomb of his mentor, teacher and biographer, Saint
John Bosco.
Born:
2 April 1842, Riva di Chieri, Italy
Died: 9 March 1857, Mondonio,Italy
Beatified: 1950 by Venerable Pope Pius XII
Canonized: 12 June 1954 by Venerable Pope Pius XII
Memorial:
6 May; formerly 10 March
Name Meaning:
Belonging to God
Patronage: choirboys, falsely accused, juvenile
delinquents, Pueri Cantors.
∏ Great model for God-loving boys and
cherished pupil of the famous Don Bosco, you died prematurely, humanly speaking,
but you had already attained mature spiritual wisdom. Your kindness won you many
friends, but your love above all sought the Master who is present in our
tabernacles. His praises you eucharistically sang. Make choir boys be singers
like you, for the love of Jesus, our most loving Master. Amen.
∏ Dear Saint Dominic, you spent your
short life totally for love of Jesus and His Mother. Help youth today to realize
the importance of God in their lives. You became a saint through fervent
participation in the sacraments, enlighten parents and children to the
importance of frequent confession and Holy Communion. At a young age you
meditated on the sorrowful Passion of Our Lord. Obtain for us the grace of a
fervent desire to suffer for love of Him. We desperately need your intercession
to protect today's children from the snares of the world. Watch over them and
lead them on the narrow road to Heaven. Ask God to give us the grace to sanctify
our daily duties by performing them perfectly out of love for Him. Remind us of
the necessity of practicing virtue especially in times of trial. Saint Dominic
Savio, you who preserved your Baptismal innocence of heart, pray for us.
∏ Prayer of Expectant Mothers
Lord Jesus, I bring to you with love the sweet hope that I carry within my womb.
You have given me the gift of this tiny living being within me. I thank you for
choosing me as your instrument of love. As I wait in expectation, help me to
surrender myself joyfully to your will. make my heart pure, strong and generous.
To you I offer my preoccupation about what is to come, along with my fears,
anxieties and expectations about the little creature which I do not as yet know
fully. Grant that the baby may be born healthy. Keep every bodily illness away
from my baby and above all preserve it from all spiritual harm.
O Mary, you who experienced the ineffable joys of a holy motherhood, obtain for
me a heart capable of transmitting a life of ardent and living faith. Sanctify
my expectation, bless my joy-filled hope so that the fruit of my womb may grow
in virtue and holiness with your prayers and the grace of your son.
Amen.