(1842–1857)
March 9
Dominic Savio was the son of a blacksmith who lived in the small town of Riva, in northern Italy. Even when he was very small, he liked to pray. Each morning, Dominic would get up at five o’clock with his father and go to his parish church to serve Mass. When he was seven years old, Dominic was allowed to receive his First Communion. This was a big exception at that time, because most children weren’t permitted to receive Communion until they were older. On that wonderful day, Dominic told Jesus all the secret hopes of his heart. He made a promise to Jesus, whom he called “my special friend.” Dominic even adopted a motto, which he afterward told to his pastor: “Death, but not sin!” This was the sort of motto that a hero would have, and Dominic would prove to be a hero in living up to it.
Dominic wanted to imitate Jesus as closely as he could. And this wasn’t always easy. Once, he had just changed schools. His new teacher, a priest, didn’t know him well yet. Some of the other boys decided to take advantage of the situation to get Dominic into trouble. It was winter, and the classroom was heated by a wood-burning stove. One of the boys came up with an idea. “Let’s put some snow in the stove so that the fire will go out and the wood won’t burn. Then it’ll be so cold that Father will have to let us out early!”
When the fire died out, the priest opened the stove and found the snow. “Who did this?” he sternly demanded. The frightened culprits pointed to Dominic. Although surprised, the priest believed the other boys. As a punishment, he made Dominic kneel on the floor for a long time. Dominic obeyed without trying to defend himself. He knew that if he explained what had really happened, the other boys would receive a much worse punishment because they were always in trouble. Jesus suffered so much for things he was falsely accused of, Dominic thought. This is a small thing I can do to try to be like him.
By the time Dominic was twelve, he knew that he wanted to be a priest more than anything else. And he was eager to begin the studies that would prepare him for ordination. The priest Don Bosco (whom you’ll read about later in this book as St. John Bosco) encouraged Dominic and admitted him to the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales in Turin. This was a special school Don Bosco had founded for boys. There, Dominic happily began his studies.
By the time Dominic was twelve, he knew that he wanted to be a priest more than anything else.
When he wasn’t studying, Dominic often visited the Blessed Sacrament by himself or with friends whom he invited. At other times, he’d be found telling stories about the saints to a group of eager boys gathered around him. On Fridays, Dominic gave up the usual games and went to chapel to honor the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin in a special way. “Let’s stop in for a prayer to the Blessed Mother,” he’d encourage his friends. Every Sunday he taught catechism to younger children.
Dominic was well-liked and was a peacemaker. Once, two of his companions were having a pretty serious fight. Each had even picked up a large rock to throw at the other. Right at that point, Dominic stepped between them. “Get out of the way!” one of the angry boys yelled.
But Dominic wouldn’t budge. “You’ll have to hit me first,” he quietly responded. And for a minute, it looked as if the bully was going to do just that!
Then Dominic pulled a small crucifix out of his pocket and held it up. “You won’t hit me? Then hit him!”
This was too much for the boys. They realized that they were wrong. They dropped their rocks. In a few minutes they were shaking hands and apologizing.
Each week, Dominic went to confession. He received Jesus in Holy Communion every day. He urged his friends to go to confession regularly, and even founded a club to encourage the other boys to receive Holy Communion often. The members of the club tried to be good Catholic students in every way and had a great devotion to Mary.
Dominic once exclaimed to Don Bosco, “I have to become a saint, Father!” And he never lost sight of that goal. Dominic was always encouraging his friends to do good deeds and to avoid everything that might lead them to sin. But he never pretended to be wearing a halo himself! He was a lively, normal teenager, always at the center of the action, whether at a ball game or taking part in a school play.
When Dominic was fourteen, he became very ill. He was sent home to his parents in the hope that the change of climate would help him recuperate. How hard it was for Dominic to leave his teacher and friend, Don Bosco! He had a feeling that they wouldn’t meet again—except in heaven.
Back at home, Dominic grew worse instead of better. The parish priest was called to administer the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and bring him Holy Communion. The boy felt all the strength draining out of his body, but he was peaceful. Suddenly a change came over him. Dominic sat up in his bed and held out his arms as if reaching for someone. His eyes shone. “Oh, what a beautiful sight!” he exclaimed. Then, with a smile on his lips, Dominic went to meet Jesus.
Dominic Savio’s life was very short and very ordinary! He was a good friend and a good student, but he wasn’t “the best” at anything. He didn’t live long enough to become a priest. But Dominic is a saint—one of the youngest, too—because he let his love for Jesus guide him in everything he did. We can do the same thing, with St. Dominic’s help.