Spirituality for Today – March 2008 – Volume 12, Issue 8

Saint Of The Month

St. Dominic Savio – March 9

Image of Saint Dominic SavioDominic Savio is among the youngest saints of the Catholic Church. He was born in the Italian town of Riva di Chieri on April 2, 1842 to a very pious family. His father was a craftsman, and mother a seamstress. Since early childhood, he had a very serious approach to faith. He served at mass when he was just five. After he took the First Communion, he wrote in his mass book three resolutions that were to mark his spiritual path: "1. I will go to confession often and I will take the Holy Communion as often as my confessor allows me to; 2. Jesus and Mary will be my friends; 3. Death, but no sin!"

When he was six, he went to St. John Bosco School in Turin. He was very bright and diligent in his studies. Young Dominic was quickly accepted by his colleagues, and with time his unusual piety and steadfast attitude won their respect. He impressed his peers with his humility and perfectionism, and his motto, "I'd rather die than sin" became well known in Turin.

John Bosco had great hopes for his student. The school's founder was impressed by Dominic's religious zeal and consistence. They worked together on the statute of the Society of Immaculate Conception, an organization Dominic proposed to create. Unfortunately, work on its establishment was interrupted due to Dominic's severe lung disease. In 1857 the boy had to leave school. He returned to his parents in Riva di Chieri and died at home on June 9 of the same year, at the age of 15.

He was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1954 on the 100th anniversary of joining St. John Bosco School.

Mother Mary,
inspire us
with humility and wisdom,
so that we can avoid temptation.
We are only weak humans
when anger, despair or other feelings
lead us to sin.
Move our conscience
so that we can feel the burden of guilt.
Lead us toward the path of penance
and ask Your Son
for forgiveness for us.
Amen.

From Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives