Diapositiva 1

1
DOMINIC SAVIO
A Model of Christian Life
2
A boy with clear ideas Dominic Savio was born on
April 2, 1842 in a little town called St. John
of the River, Italy, near the place where Don
Bosco was born. His parents were named Charles
and Bridget. He was baptized the day after he was
born, at 5 oclock in the evening, in the Church
of the Assumption. Don Francisco Cerruti who
baptized him said that Dominic has a lively and
genuine character. Dominic was cheerful,
vivacious, open, and always ready to follow the
good examples that he saw.
3
Encounter with Don Bosco
Dominic Savio had expressed to his teacher and
parish priest, Don José Cugliero, the desire to
study for the priesthood. Don Cugliero revealed
this intention of Dominic to his friend Don
Bosco. On the morning of the first Monday of
October, Dominic was accompanied by his father to
talk with Don Bosco. Who are you? Where are you
from?asked Don Bosco I am Dominic Savio, the
boy replied. Then he began to tell Don Bosco of
his studies and life in his family. They hit it
off immediately. After conversing for a while,
Dominic said to Don Bosco
4
Then, what do you think of me? Will you take me
to Turin to study? Don Bosco replied, It seems
to me that there is a lot of good in you. And
of what use is this fabric? asked Dominic "To
make a good suit and gifts for the Lord, said
Don BoscoWell, if I am the fabric, you will be
the tailor. Take me with you and just make me a
good suit for the Lord, Dominic answered They
continued the dialogue and afterwards Don Bosco
told him that he could come to Turin. Dominic
Savio told Don BoscoI hope to behave in such a
way that you wont complain about me.
5
The formula for Holiness From the early days of
his stay at the Oratory, Dominic Savio kept all
the house rules and applied all that he had
learned. He formed a group of friends who lived
all the aspects of student and Christian life.He
also helped those who arrived at the Oratory for
the first time.
6
One day, a boy of 15 years came to the Oratory
called Camilo Gavio. The first day he knew no one
so he began to feel lonely and sad. Realizing
this Dominic Savio approached him and invited him
to join his group and to live their lifestyle of
seeking holiness. Camilo accepted the invitation
but was puzzled, so he saidDominic, I like
your offer but I dont know how to act. Do not
worry, it is very easy holiness consists in
always being cheerful. We should try to avoid
those negative attitudes which take away our
peace of mind, said Dominic
7
Company of the Immaculate
In one of the years Dominic Savio was in the
Oratory, the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary was proclaimed by the
Vatican. This event increased the devotion he had
for Mary and motivated him to name his group of
friends who helped others, the Company of the
Immaculate.
8
The commitments the members of this Company made
were to frequently receive the Sacraments, to
imitate Jesus in their lives, and to help weaker
boys. By doing so, Dominic Savio was able to
choose the best partners for the Company of the
Immaculate, precisely the same ones who were
invited by Don Bosco to become the first
Salesians.
9
His last days
In the last days Dominic spent in the Oratory, he
received a visit from the pastor and chatted with
him for a while. His last word were Do not
weep, because I see the Lord and the Virgin Mary
waiting for me with open arms.With these words
he quietly passed away. It was ten in the evening
on Monday, March 9, 1857. Dominic was 14 years
and eleven months old. The next day, his father
wrote to Don Bosco to report the death of his
child and the last moments of his life. When the
news was read in the Oratory it was received with
great sadness. Don Bosco talked to the boys and
strongly recommended that they take Dominic as a
model.
10
An Example of Holiness
Dominic Savio was an example of holiness not only
for Salesians, but as a saint for all Christians.
He is venerated by many believers and his image
hangs in many households. Many people made
requests to Dominics family for objects that had
belonged to the boy. His sister Teresa decided
how to allocate all Dominics objects to the boys
of the Oratory who came to visit his tomb. His
family was proud of being a relative of this
little saint. The fame of Dominics holiness
increased with time because God answered all the
invocations people made through him.
11
By answering prayers, Dominic merely continued
what he had already started in life to be a
thread of God's grace to all around him.The
enthusiasm and sympathy for the figure of Dominic
Savio was also shared by the Popes. With great
joy and praise for the "little giant of holiness"
Pius XI declared him Venerable on 9 July 1933,
Pope Pius XII proclaimed him Blessed on March 5,
1950, and Saint on June 12, 1954. Many thousands
of young people filled St. Peters Square in Rome
and applauded vigorously at the canonization of
the first saint who was only fifteen years old.