Dominic Savio (; 2 April 1842 – 9 March 1857) was a 19th-century Italian teenager who was a student of John Bosco and became a Catholic saint. He was studying to be a priest when he became ill and died at the age of 14, possibly from pleurisy.Bosco, John. Memoirs of the Oratory of Saint Francis de Sales, (Daniel Lyons, trans.) New Rochelle, New York. Don Bosco Publications, 1989. Chapter 6, footnote 19; Retrieved on 24 November 2006. He was noted for his piety and devotion to the Catholic faith, and was canonized a saint by Pope Pius XII in 1954.
Bosco regarded Savio very highly, and wrote a biography of his young student, The Life of Dominic Savio. This volume, along with other accounts of him, were critical factors in his cause for sainthood. Despite the fact that many people considered him to have died too young to be considered for sainthood, he was considered eligible for such a singular honour on the basis of displaying "heroic virtue" in his everyday life. Savio was canonised a saint on 12 June 1954 by Pope Pius XII, making him the youngest non-martyr to be canonised in the Catholic Church,Dominic Savio Altar, Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians; Retrieved on 24 November 2006 until the canonisations of Francisco and Jacinta Marto, the pious visionaries of Fatima (aged 10 and 9 respectively), in 2017.
Biography Much of the biographical information known about Savio comes from his biography written by John Bosco, in addition to the testimonies given by Savio's family and friends.
Early life The son of Carlo and Brigitta Savio, Dominic was born on 2 April 1842 in the village of Riva, from the town of Chieri, in Piedmont, northern Italy. His baptismal name, Domenico, means "of the Lord""the etymology and history of first names: Dominic", Behind The Name; Retrieved on 24 November 2006. and the surname Savio means "wise"."the etymology and history of first names: Savio", Behind The Name; Retrieved on 24 November 2006. His father was a blacksmith and his mother, a seamstress. His parents had ten children in all. The family was described as poor, hardworking and pious.John Bosco's Three Lives: The Life of Dominic Savio (Chapter 1: Home – The boy's character – His early goodness) ; Retrieved on 24 November 2006.
When he was two years old, his parents returned to their hometown at Murialdo on the outskirts of Castelnuovo d'Asti and from where they had gone to Riva in 1841. His parents took great care to give him a Christian upbringing. By the age of four, he was able to pray by himself and was occasionally found in solitude, praying."The Life of Dominic Savio: Chapter 1-Early Life and Extraordinary Gifts", Traditionalcatholic.net; Retrieved on 24 November 2006. John Bosco records that Savio's parents recollect how he used to help his mother around the house, welcome his father home, say his prayers without being reminded, (even reminding others when they forgot) and say Grace at mealtimes unfailingly.
At the village school Fr. Giovanni Zucca from Murialdo, who was then the chaplain at Murialdo when Dominic was five years old,Bosconet.aust.com: John Bosco's Three Lives: The Life of Dominic Savio (Chapter 2: Good behaviour at Murialdo – Signs of virtue – Attendance at the village school) ; Retrieved on 24 November 2006. notes in a statement to John Bosco that he came to notice Dominic due to his regular church attendance with his mother, and his habit of kneeling down outside the church to pray (even in the mud or snow) if he happened to come to church before it had been unlocked in the morning. The chaplain also notes that Savio made good progress at the village school not merely due to his cleverness, but also by working hard. He would not join the other boys in doing something that he believed to be morally wrong and would explain why he thought a particular deed was wrong.
At the age of five, he learned to serve Mass, and would try to participate at Mass every day as well as go regularly to Confession. Having been permitted to make his First Communion at an early age, he had much reverence for the Eucharist."The Life of Dominic Savio: Chapter 2-Examples of Youthful Virtue at Murialdo. His Early Days at School", Traditionalcatholic.net; Retrieved on 24 November 2006.
First Communion At that time, it was customary for children to receive their First Communion at the age of twelve. (Pope Pius X would later lower this age to seven.)Avella, Steven M; Zalar, Jeffrey (Fall 1997), "Sanctity in the Era of Catholic Action: The Case of St. Pius X", Catholic Historian (Spirituality and Devotionalism ed.), US, 15 (4), pp. 57–80 After initial hesitation, and subsequent consultation with other priests, the parish priest agreed to permit Dominic to receive his First Communion at the age of seven, since he knew the catechism and understood something of the Eucharist.Bosconet.aust.com: John Bosco's Three Lives: The Life of Dominic Savio (Chapter 3: His first communion – Preparation, recollection and memories of the day) ; Retrieved on 24 November 2006. He spent much time praying and reading in preparation,"The Life of Dominic Savio: Chapter 3-Dominic is Allowed to Make His First Communion Before the Usual Age. Preparation for the Important Day. His Resolutions." Traditionalcatholic.net; Retrieved on 24 November 2006. asking his mother's forgiveness for anything he might have done to displease her and then went to church. In his biography of Dominic Savio, John Bosco devotes a chapter to tell of Dominic's First Communion. He says that several years later, whenever he talked of the day of his First Communion, he said with joy: "That was the happiest and most wonderful day of my life." John Bosco records that on the day of his First Communion, Dominic made some promises which he wrote in a "little book", and re-read them many times. John Bosco once looked through Dominic's book, and he quotes from it the promises that he made:
Resolutions made by me, Dominic Savio, in the year 1849, on the day of my First Communion, at the age of seven. I will go to Confession often, and as frequently to Holy Communion as my confessor allows. I wish to sanctify the Sundays and festivals in a special manner. My friends shall be Jesus and Mary. Death rather than sin.Another translation reads "Death, but not sin."
At the county school For secondary education, Dominic had to go to another school and it was decided that he would go to the County School at Castelnuovo, three miles (5 km) from his home.Bosconet.aust.com: John Bosco's Three Lives: The Life of Dominic Savio (Chapter 4: School at Castelnuovo d'Asti – An edifying occasion – Wise answer to bad advice) ; Retrieved on 24 November 2006. (Castelnuovo d' Asti, now Castelnuovo John Bosco, was the birthplace of another contemporary of John Bosco, Joseph Cafasso, also a saint. He was four years the senior of John Bosco, and was Bosco's mentor and advisor.Bosco, John. St. Joseph Cafasso, excerpts, CatholicTradition.org Retrieved on 24 November 2006.)
Now ten years old, he walked daily to and from school. In his biography of Dominic Savio, John Bosco records how a local farmer once asked him, on a hot sunny day, if he was not tired from walking, and received the reply: "Nothing seems tiresome or painful when you are working for a master who pays well.""The Life of Dominic Savio: Chapter 4-Dominic's School Career at Castelnuovo d'Asti. Trials and Difficulties. His Treatment of Evil Council. His Master's Encomium", Traditionalcatholic.net; Retrieved on 24 November 2006. Don Bosco also notes that Dominic refused to go swimmingBosco, Memoirs, Chapter 8, footnotes (2.1), (2.2), (2.3); Retrieved on 24 November 2006. with his friends since Dominic considered that in such a situation, it would be "also easy to offend God", he believed that on a previous occasion his friends behaved in, what was to him, a vulgar manner.Library.catholic.org: The Saints and Our Children-Chapter 3: Dominic Savio:The Schoolboy Saint by Mary Reed Newland One account of his time at the county school was when two classmates who hated each other prepared to resolve their differences in a rock fight. Dominic stood between them holding the cross and explaining that whatever they do they do unto Christ; ergo they should throw rocks at him instead. The fight was defused when both boys laughed and considered such a concept silly. In his biography Bosco records that Fr. Allora, the head of this school, had this to say about Dominic: "...Hence it may very well be said that he was Savio (wise), not only in name, but in fact, viz., in his studies, in piety, in conversation and his dealing with others, and in all his actions. ..."
Under John Bosco's mentorship Meeting with John Bosco
It was his teacher at school, Fr. Giuseppe Cugliero, who gave a high account of him to John Bosco and recommended that Bosco meet him during the Feast of the Rosary, when he would take his boys to Murialdo. Accordingly, accompanied by his father, Dominic met John Bosco on 2 October 1854, the first Monday of that month."The Life of Dominic Savio: Chapter 6-My First Meeting with Dominic Savio. Some Curious Incidents Connected With It", Traditionalcatholic.net; Retrieved on 24 November 2006. John Bosco records this conversation in some detail. He notes that Dominic was eager to go to Turin with John Bosco, and that he wished to become a priest after completing his studies in that town.Bosconet.aust.com: John Bosco's Three Lives: The Life of Dominic Savio (Chapter 7: The first time I got to know him. Some curious moments in our meeting) ; Retrieved on 24 November 2006.
To test Dominic's intelligence, Don Bosco gave him a copy of The Catholic Readings (pamphlets on the subject of Catholic apologetics),Bosconet.aust.com: I WAS DON BOSCO'S CONFESSOR-Sworn testimony of Fr Giovanni Giacomelli (); Retrieved on 24 November 2006. asking him to recite a particular page by heart and explain its meaning the next day, and then spoke for a while with Dominic's father. Ten minutes later, he found Dominic was beside him reciting the page and explaining its meaning satisfactorily. This meeting was the beginning of their relationship, the result of which was that John Bosco agreed to take Dominic to Turin with him.
At the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales John Bosco records that when Dominic arrived at the Oratory, he at once placed himself under his guidance."The Life of Dominic Savio: Chapter 7-Dominic Comes to the Oratory of St. Francis of Sales. His Manner of Life", Traditionalcatholic.net; Retrieved on 24 November 2006. He also notes that Dominic worked diligently and followed the school rules. He would happily listen to talks and sermons (even if they tended to be lengthy at times), and would, without hesitation, ask for clarification on points that were not clear to him. John Bosco also notes how Dominic was obedient to his teachers and chose his companions carefully.Bosconet.aust.com: John Bosco's Three Lives: The Life of Dominic Savio (Chapter 8: He comes to the Oratory of St Francis de Sales – His lifestyle at the beginning) ; Retrieved on 24 November 2006.
This happened in 1854, when, in Rome, the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary was being defined. Preparations for the observation of this feast were thus going on at the Oratory. Don Bosco records that, at the advice of his confessor, Dominic renewed his First Communion promises at the altar of Mary at the Oratory. Bosco says that, from this point the result of Dominic's attempts towards holy life were so apparent, that he (John Bosco) took to recording the various incidents that occurred for future reference.