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St.
Dominic Inspiring Profile
St. Dominic Savio model of the youth in the
entire world.
"I can't do big things," St. Dominic Savio once
said, "but I want everything to be for the glory of God."
At an early age he already knew how to work for God. This
heroism in little things is the stuff of holiness.
At the age of five Dominic had already learned to serve Mass.
Neither rain nor heavy snows could keep him away from the
altar. The parish priest more than once found the boy kneeling
on the church steps, awaiting his arrival. Closer to the Eucharist
as an altar boy, he had still to wait two more years before
he was allowed to make his First Holy Communion. At the age
of seven he was admitted to the Eucharistic Banquet—a
remarkably early age for those times.
When Don Bosco was looking for young men to train as priests
for his Salesian Order, his parish priest suggested Dominic
Savio. Dominic became more than a credit to Don Bosco's school—
everyone in the school saw from the way he prayed that this
boy was different. He single-handedly organized those who
were to be the nucleus of Don Bosco's order.
At the age of twelve confided to his Confessor, St. John Bosco:
“I feel the need of becoming a saint. If I do not become
a saint, I am wasting my time. God wants me to be a saint,
and I must become one.” Then Saint John Bosco, who is
his mentor, said to him: The prescription was as follows:
“Cheerfulness always. Constant piety. Perseverant study.
Remember, Dominic, no need to get upset. ‘The Lord is
not in the whirlwind”
The formula worked magic in the heart of the boy. His holiness
overflowed in the apostolic zeal that soon manifested itself
among his companions. He exposed himself to physical danger
in order to conciliate older boys who had decided to settle
a furious quarrel with stones. His zeal to do good urged him
to found the Immaculate Conception Sodality, the purpose of
which was to draw many young boys to Christ, especially through
the frequent reception of the Sacraments and through devotion
to Our Lady.
For all that, Dominic was a normal, high-spirited boy who
sometimes got into trouble with his teachers because he would
often break out laughing. However, he was generally well disciplined
and gradually gained the respect of the tougher boys in Don
Bosco's school.
One day Dominic began to feel sick and was sent home to get
better. While at home he grew worse, instead, and received
the last Sacraments. He was only fifteen then, but he did
not fear death. In fact, he was overjoyed at the thought of
going to Heaven. Just before he died, he tried to sit up and
asked his father to read some prayers for him.
"Goodbye," he murmured to his good father. Suddenly
his face lit up with a smile of great joy and happiness. "I
am seeing such wonderful things!" he exclaimed. Then
he spoke no more, for he had gone to Heaven.
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YOUTH
St.
Dominic Savio
is the model of all youth same with his mentor, St. John don
Bosco, the patron saint of the youth. Dominic is also patron
saint of choir boys and of the falsely accused. This latter
title was given to him due to the following incident. One
time, two boys filled the school stove with snow and garbage
during the cold winter months. When the teacher came back
into the room, they falsely accused Dominic of doing the "dirty"
deed. Although disciplined in front of the entire class, Dominic
refused to tell on the two mischievous boys. When the truth
was later revealed, Dominic was asked why he didn't confess
to his innocence. He remarked that he was imitating Our Lord,
Who remained silent during His persecutions and crucifixion.
Yes, Dominic was an ordinary boy with an extraordinary love
for God.