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As a child Dominic went to the Oratory of St. Francis De Sales, a school founded by Don Bosco, the future Saint, who later wrote a biography of Dominic as he was so impressed by his holiness. There are many other similar incidents, but I do not give them here. His relations with his companions showed the same wisdom. Dominic did not presume to correct the visitor, but left the table and stayed away until the visitor had gone. Here is how it went: We, Dominic Savio, etc. But I want all I do, even the smallest thing, to be for the greater glory of God". One day he was missing from breakfast, morning lessons, the midday meal and no one knew where he was, he was not in the study room, not even in bed! We talked together for quite a time and, as I was going to call his father over, Dominic said to me: Well, what do you think? Every time he went to the sacraments he seemed like St Aloysius. He would play with them during recreation, willingly talk to them, so that when they were ready to do something wrong and he suggested otherwise, they would listen, because they realised it was a friend who spoke to them, who wanted only what was best for them. Dominic Savio died on March 9th, 1857, at the age of 14, his last words, 'what beautiful things I see!When he was declared a saint on June 12, 1954 by Pope Pius II, Dominic Savio was the youngest non-martyr ever to be canonized in the history of the Church, until the visionaries of Fatima, Jacinta and Francesco Marto, were declared saints in 2017. No more than eight minutes had gone by when suddenly Dominic appeared, smiling, by my side and said: If you wish I will repeat my lesson now. I took the book and, to my surprise, he not only recited the page by heart but explained simply and clearly the meaning, showing that he understood it very well. He was truly exemplary and successful in his studies; following his vocation he embraced the ecclesiastical state. But he was not able to wear the cassock for long that he had looked forward so eagerly to having. I give these rules here so that they may be an inspiration and guide to others. 7 06 - Various Incidents; His Spirit of . His serene expression, and charming but respectful manner captured my gaze. (27) He died at 11 p.m. on Monday March 9, 1857; the burial was held on Wednesday 11 (cf. Dominic Savio was born in the small village of San Giovanni, a hamlet of Riva presso Chieri (Turin), on 2 April 1842. This gave him support in his regular practice of virtue and it was a firm guide which brought him to lifes end so gloriously. What can I suggest to recommend the soul in this case? the parish priest asked. Rather, it seemed that he took pleasure in it. His best friends, however, were the other boys in the Sodality of Mary Immaculate. You should be glad to be going to your parents. I want to end my days here at the Oratory he said. His fathers eyes filled with tears, but choking back his sobs, he got the book and read the prayers. May the Blessed Virgin whom Dominic loved so much, grant that we may be of one heart and soul in loving our Creator who alone is worthy of being loved above all things, and faithfully served every day of our life. (13) These fields are now all built over and the site of the altercation corresponds to the place where the parish church of Saint Barbara now stands. (note in the original text). As soon as he heard that death had come, he went to his bedside and with tears in his eyes said: Goodbye Camillo; I am sure you have gone straight to heavenget a place ready for me there also. Rather, it was he who reminded others, should they happen to forget. With these he had regular meetings, and they would gather together also for acts of devotion. The aim was to obtain the special protection of the Mother of God in life, and especially at the hour of death. I should like to say that Thomas Kempis is a good friend, but he is dead. I leave each one free to form his own opinions. He was not only very devoted to Mary but loved bringing someone else to Marys feet to honour her and ask her help. At a certain point he would pause and say: Do you want to come to confession on Saturday? The other boy, because Saturday seemed a long way off, and because he was anxious to get on with the game, or just to please Dominic, would say: Oh, all right. Dominic did not say any more, but in the succeeding days he kept his quarry in view, and when Saturday came would go with him to church, make his own Confession first of all, and if necessary ask the priest to go out of his way to help the boy coming in after him. There was general surprise at his solemn farewell. With apostolic zeal he worked several years in the sacred ministry until he was judged worthy of the parish of Marmorito. If you read something that you admire, dont content yourself with saying This is great. Chapter 16 Mortification of all his external senses. It had been a time of great joy for him, and a great edification for his companions and superiors. Leonardo da Porto Maurizio, Il tesoro nascosto, ovvero pregi ed eccellenze della S. Messa, con un modo pratico e divoto per ascoltarla con frutto. Although the character and authority of these witnesses are worthy of trust whichever way you look at it, just the same, since they are still alive I think it better to leave them out for now and be content to refer to just one special grace concerning a seminarian who had known Dominic personally. It also happened sometimes that a boy did not keep his promise and at Confession time on Saturday, Dominic would look for him in vain. We, the parish family, of St. Dominic Savio, are a community growing together in faith . I went once before, but never again; simply because it is easy to get drowned there, but more still because from what I saw last time it is also easy to offend God; so dont talk to me any more about swimming. They were walking about like people who had lost their way and did not know which way to turn. He was always happy if he could speak to them of spiritual things and lead them to an understanding of the importance of saving their soul. 37-109. An interesting episode lets us see his great love of devotion to Mary. Whether the weather was good or bad he was always happy. In fact from the happiness in his voice one could only judge he was improving. (3) Known as Riva di Chieri to distinguish it from other towns with the same name. Father Robertson retired Jan. 1. They were always glad to be in his company and whenever he gently chided them it was taken in good part. About Our Patron Saints | KCSJ Camps Home When Father Picco, head of the school where Dominic went for special classes, heard the news, he was profoundly moved and gave the sad news to his boys in the following term: Only a short time ago I was speaking to you of the uncertainty of life and how death does not spare even your years. Several times I heard him say: How many souls there are in England waiting for our help. Please will you show me how I should go about it?. He did all this with wonderful peace of soul and even-temper even in the bad winter months in cold, rain or snow. If I see any of you better in fulfilling your duties or better at your prayers, I will attribute it to the effects and example of our Dominic and will see it as a grace from above coming from his prayers and from his being amongst you as his companions and me as the teacher.. The one who goes to heaven first can prepare a place for the other and when he arrives stretch out a helping hand to pull him in! As soon as news came of his death a few of his friends were already calling him a saint. Then he went off; he had been three years with us. But when he saw that their minds were made up he spoke out boldly: You are being disobedient, you are putting yourselves in danger and running the risk of getting drowned and you say you are not doing any harm?, Maybe, but it is not as hot as another place I know, and what will you do if you end up there?. From that day he became a close friend of Dominic and followed him faithfully in the path which he trod. 2. 5 04 - His Entrance at the Oratory; His Studies and Conduct 10:12. Pope Pius XII canonized Dominic Savio, making this spiritual child prodigy from Don Bosco's Oratory a Saint. St.Dominic Savio by Evani Bell - Prezi The soldier looked a bit startled but took the hint and went down on his knees there on the road, not on the handkerchief. I am very happy and I have made up my mind to go to Confession regularly in the future.. What on earth are you up to? he asked him. (11) Here he came under the care of the devout and kindly Joseph Bonzanino(12) because secondary classes had not yet been set up at the Oratory like we have them now. If, going through the streets, he happened to hear anything of the kind, he bowed his head in sorrow and reparation, saying fervently to himself: Praised be Jesus Christ., One day when they were walking through the town a companion noticed him taking off his cap and murmuring something to himself: What are you doing? On June 12, 1954. Where are you? As a result of his efforts he got so accustomed to talk with God, that no matter where he was, or what noise was going on round about him, he could briefly recollect himself, sending his heart soaring to God. He spent the rest of the morning putting his things in order: he packed his trunk with the care of one who is doing something for the last time. Some of the boys he had to mix with were rather rowdy and far from good, but I never saw him quarrelling. which quickly became a crowd as the laughter of the boys at his stories attracted more and more. Eating things he didnt like, avoiding things he would have liked; custody of the eyes even in unimportant things; staying around even when there was a bad smell; denying his will; being perfectly resigned in putting up with everything that hurt body or spirit were acts of virtue which Dominic carried out daily, we could say every moment of his life. Dominic heard about it and tried to make them forget it by occupying their time with him in an interesting way. The following dialogue took place. On June 8th, nine months before he died, he went with his friends before the altar of Our Lady and they read it over together. Dominic cheerfully walked the six miles there and back every day. That torch, said the one beside me, is the Catholic Faith, which is going to light up England., When I went to Rome in 1858, I told Pius IX about this, and he listened to it with great joy and pleasure and said to me: What you say strengthens me in my determination to do everything possible for England, already the object of my care and solicitude. She wont let you go, and she will also tell our parents and we will be in for a good hiding., Well if my mother wont let me go, its a sign that its not a good thing and so I wont go. It was a great joy for me when I heard later that he had been accepted at the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales. Think about the holy life and the holy death of your beloved friend and his happy lot, something we can be sure he now enjoys. Emperor Federico in 1164 appointed Count Biandrate to have dominion over Riva di Chieri. There is plenty to put up with cheerfully - heat, cold, sickness, the tiresome ways of other people. Yesterday I read the letter describing his death, which his father wrote to Don Bosco. He was studying to be a priest when he became ill and died at the age of 14, possibly from pleurisy. Several times he seemed completely recovered only to relapse again, and then suddenly he was at deaths door. 5. St. Dominic Savio Parish, Edmonton - YouTube Why do you bother telling stories like those? he asked. Ed. Lets go. His family was poor but hardworking. He told a friend more than once, At first when I gave myself a rule to control my eyes I found it hard and I often had a severe headache. The reserve he managed over what he looked at was such that anyone who knew him cannot ever remember him giving a single glance that would exceed even the strictest limits of modesty. 2 01 - Early Life; Youthful Virtue 06:17. I can see that you are not in the mood for it now, but I promise you, if you take the plunge and go to Confession, you will be much happier than you have been for a long time. In most cases, after the boy had taken Dominics advice, he would come to him smiling and full of happiness: What you said was quite true.