Saint Dominic Savio
A pupil of Saint John Bosco who died at fourteen
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Young saint
- Life
- 1842 – 1857
- Era
- 19th century
- Feast
- 6 May
- Countries
- Italy
Life story
Dominic Savio was born on 2 April 1842 at Riva, near Chieri in Piedmont, into a farming family, and later moved with his parents to the village of Mondonio. From early childhood he went to church regularly and served at Mass in the village. According to accounts of his life, he made his first Communion at the age of seven.
In 1854 the parish priest introduced him to Father John Bosco. At twelve he entered Bosco's Oratory at Valdocco in Turin, where he studied and lived among boys of his own age. It was the period when Bosco was shaping the educational routines of his young community. Dominic worked diligently at his studies, took an interest in boys who were struggling and helped companions who fell ill.
In 1856 he and some friends formed a small group called the Company of the Immaculate Conception, to help one another in their religious life and to assist other boys in the Oratory. The group is often described as an early form of the Salesian youth associations.
Dominic's health declined, and doctors advised him to return home to recover. He died on 9 March 1857 at Mondonio, aged fourteen. Bosco later wrote a book about his life. Pius XII canonised him on 12 June 1954; at that time he was the youngest non-martyr to be canonised. Bosco's account of his short life was printed soon after his death and became one of the best-known Salesian texts, which helped make the boy known well beyond Piedmont. His remains are venerated in the Salesian basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin.
Works and witness
- Entered John Bosco's Oratory at Valdocco in 1854
- Founded the Company of the Immaculate Conception with friends in 1856
- Looked after classmates who were struggling or ill
- Bosco wrote his biography soon after his death
Patron of
Boy choristers
Saints from the same country
References
- Martyrologium Romanum
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
- Giovanni Bosco, Vita del giovanetto Savio Domenico
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.