CHRISTEN SECTION

DOMINIC SAVIO - A YOUNG SAINT

Dear young readers, I pray and hope that regular reading of the Word of God is crushing each thorn of negativity in your life and you are doing well as God’s young warrior.  As per requests from young readers, would like to mention an inspirational life of a young adolescent with a mature spirituality-a doting son, a true friend and a saint; and the same would be penned by a member of our team.

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Born on 2^nd April 1842 in Italy to poor, hardworking and pious parents Dominic Savio had a deep reverence and extraordinary love for God. Lessons to love God, never to displease or offend Him and to be aware of self actions were inculcated in him. By the age of four, he could pray on his own and would be regular in prayers.  Once at the age of four this young child when missing and his mother hastily went in search of Him. He was found in the woods, all knelt up with eyes closed reciting His prayers by heart.He was punctual in Christian duties towards attending the Holy Mass. Due to his dedication and habitual devotional he was eligible to accept the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the age of seven (twelve was the age considered fit during those days).  It is well recorded that Dominic Savio was well aware of the purity that belonged to Sacrament and he prepared days in advance in prayers and asking forgiveness to his parents for any failure towards his duties. From this day he made some firm resolutions:

1.      I will go to confessions and receive the Holy Communion as advised by the priest

2.     To observe Sundays and religious festivals in a special manner

3.     Lord Jesus and Mother Mary will be my friends

4.    I prefer death than sin

He studied hard and would walk for miles to reach school daily. If anyone would ask him, if he feared the dark and dusty road, He would reply, “I am never alone, my guardian angels walks and protects me.” Such was the remarkable faith this young man had. This long walks in the due course took a toll on health and for secondary education his parents decided to shift him to the nearby village to be closer to school.

There are various instances that indicate how Dominic Savio was a true friend and wanted his friends to be always in line with piety and awareness of God. As boys of his age he too would participate in games. When two boys had a severe argument they decided to settle it with a fight. When Dominic Savio heard about it he rushed to the spot with a Holy crucifix, to the place where the fight was to take place.standing between the groups with the Holy Crucifix, requesting that they throw the first stones at him. “Christ, who was innocent, died for us rather than seek revenge from those who hated him." Ashamed of their act, the two boys gave up their fight and our young saint persuaded them to go for the Sacrament of confession. Just as his name ‘Savio’ meaning wise- he was gifted with wisdom and control over his emotions from a tender age.

The meeting with his spiritual mentor, St. John Bosco was a turning point in his life. His school was situated in John Bosco’s native village and it was a custom that the priest would visit his hometown in the month of October. Dominic’s teacher at school had remarked in high regard about this young boy to John Bosco. A meeting was arranged. Now John Bosco was a Roman Catholic priest who had dedicated his life to the betterment and education of street children, juvenile delinquent and other disadvantaged youth. He developed teaching methods based on love rather than punishment,

After initial greetings and a series of conversation, Dominic Savio bluntly asked the priest, how he had found him to be? While the priest answered that to him Dominic Savio looked a good material. Savio then replied, “Then take me with you, Father. You can be the tailor, and I'll be the cloth. Make me into a beautiful garment for Our Lord." This meeting was the beginning of their relationship, the result of which was that John Bosco agreed to take Dominic to Turin with him.Arriving at Turin, Dominic Savio placed himself under his mentor’s guidance. He enthusiastically followed the rules, listened to sermons and was obedient to his teachers. He once happened to listen to a talk on sainthood and these three points impressed him:

1.      That it is God’s will that every one becomes a saint.

2.     That it is easy to become a saint.

3.     That there is a great reward waiting in heaven for those who try to become a saint.

When he learnt that ‘Dominic’ meant ‘belonging to God’, the flame to attain sainthood increased and he began to do intense penances. It was St. John Bosco who forbade him and instead told him that as a school boy the best penance would be to do all his responsibilities with perfection humility and obedience. Thus this formed the philosophy of his life, “I can't do big things but I want everything to be for the glory of God.".

His devotion to Mother Mary was ignited under His mentor’s guidance.

Steadily failing health and severe cough forced Savio to be sent home to recover for few days. Though Dominic insisted that he wanted to spend his last few days at the Oratory his mentor decided to follow the doctor’s recommendation. Despite his affection and his wish John Bosco sent Dominic home with his father to recuperate. Four days at his home and he knew his end was near. As tutored by his mentor, he received his last sacraments and asked his father to recite prayers for a happy death. Then he slept off and after a short while awoke bidding good bye to his dad, “"Goodbye, Dad, goodbye . . . . . Oh, what wonderful things I see ...".

To those around him initially appeared as though he was in a deep sleep but then the truth struck that Dominic Savio had passed away at a tender age of 14. To his father who was deeply distressed and wanted to know where his son was in the other world, he appeared to his father in a dream a month after he passed away in the midst of dazzling light. He spoke to his dad saying “I am in heaven.” His father requested him to pray for his family members. “Yes, I will pray” was the answer.

Let us pray:

Almighty and Heavenly Father we praise you through St. Dominic Savio. Fill our hearts with heavenly wisdom and fear of God. Grant us the strength to resist all temptations and impurities. Fill us with Holy love for you and all. Raise us to perfection to the state of life to which we have been called. Through your powerful intercession we surrender the entire youth.

Almighty God, may your kingdom come, may your holy will be done.

St. Dominic Savio, pray for us! Amen

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ