Savio, Dominic, St.

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SAVIO, DOMINIC, ST.

Lay youth; b. Riva, near Turin, Piedmont, Italy, April 2, 1842; d. Mandonio (Asti), March 9, 1857. He was one of ten children of a blacksmith, Carlo, and a seamstress, Birgitta Savio. Domenico (Dominic) was introduced to Don (later St.) John bosco and in 1854 entered the latter's famous school at Turin, the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales. Under Don Bosco's guidance, Dominic developed a spirituality mature beyond his years, characterized by exact observance of discipline, marked friendliness to all, wisdom in counseling others, and intense love of purity and the Eucharist. Especially striking was his cheerfulness in manner and approach. His failing health, due perhaps to tuberculosis, occasioned his departure to his parents from the Oratory (March 1, 1857). Soon after his death, Don Bosco composed a biography recording his disciple's sanctity. Dominic was beatified (March 5, 1950), and canonized (June 12, 1954).

Feast: March 9.

Bibliography: p. aronica, God's Teenager (New Rochelle, N.Y. 1950). d. higgins, The Challenge (New Rochelle, N.Y.1954). j. bosco, The Life of St. Dominic Savio, tr. p. aronica (New Rochelle, N.Y. 1955). l. laurand, Un enfant de lumière (Brussels 1969). g. tomaselli, Il giglio di Mondonio (Messina 1969).

[e. f. fardellone]