Dominic Savio

Saint Dominic Savio also Domenico Savio ( born April 2, 1842 in Riva at Chieri ( northern Italy), † March 9, 1857 in mondonio d' Asti) was a pupil of Don Bosco.

Life

The son of a blacksmith, came as a 12- year-old in the school of Don Bosco in Turin and became his favorite student. He was aspirant for the priesthood, charismatic talented and dedicated helpers Don Bosco in its educational and youth pastoral work (" Pedagogy of the pension " ) among the poor youth of Turin and Piedmont. He founded a group that the apostolate among the classmates devoted himself and became the brave " peacemaker " who always tried to settle quarrels. His motto was " La morte, ma non peccati " ( Death, but not sin ).

Physically weak and sickly he died at age 14 of tuberculosis.

Resolutions

In a prayer book which he kept carefully and in which he had not even look his comrades and playmates, he wrote on his intentions, which he read over and over again. Since Don Bosco but got to read, he could in his biography of the resolutions to which he had made at the age of 7 years in 1849 on the occasion of his first communion on deliver:

" 1 I will often go to Confession and Holy Communion as often as it will allow me my confessor. 2 I will sanctify the holidays. 3 My friends are supposed to be Jesus and Mary. 4 Better to die than to sin. "

Effect

Don Bosco wrote the biography of his early death in 1859 favorite pupil, in which he represents him as the ideal of a model student and confident young Christians. This book learned since then many editions and was translated in the context of the worldwide Salesian Youth Office in almost all modern languages.

Dominic Savio was canonized on June 12, 1954 and blessed on May 3, 1950. The comment for the canonization is: "Even in this life filled with rich gifts, he left early this earth to receive the intercession of the Queen of Heaven, the reward for his childlike love of God ," said Pope Pius XII. at the canonization in 1954.

His remains rest in the Basilica of Mary Help of Valdocco (Turin ).

He is the patron saint of Catholic youth group, Catholic Youth, acolytes and Boys' Choir, the patron saint of Pueri Cantores since 1956, the altar servers since 1960. He is also revered as an advocate of expectant mothers. Since 1950, groups of " friends of Dominic Savio " form in many countries.

His feast day is March 9, the Salesian Family celebrates on May 6, the feast of St. Dominic Savio.

Patrozinien, see Dominic Savio Church.