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.
*************************************************************
Born on 2nd 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