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Beatified
on 5-3-50
Canonized on 12-6-54
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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