Saint Dominic Savio
Feast day: May 6
Saint Dominic Savio, Don Bosco’s student: “Death rather than sin” (06/05)
Who is he?
Saint Dominic Savio was an Italian boy in the 19th century, a student of Saint John Bosco (Don Bosco). He lived less than 15 years, but the Church has declared him a saint. He is one of the youngest saints who were not martyrs, and many students take him as their patron saint.
Life story
Dominic was born on 2 April 1842 near the city of Turin, Italy, into a poor but very devout family. His father was a blacksmith and his mother a seamstress. From a young age, he loved serving at Mass and praying.
At the age of 7, he made his First Communion, which in those days was much earlier than most children his age. That day, he wrote down a few resolutions, including this one: “Death rather than sin.” He tried to keep that promise all his life.
At 12, he met Don Bosco. He asked to go to school at Don Bosco’s oratory in Turin. Don Bosco saw what a good-hearted boy he was and accepted him right away.
At the oratory, he lived like the other boys: going to class, playing, doing homework, having fun. But he did everything really well out of love for God. Don Bosco tells this story: once, two boys were angry with each other and agreed to throw stones at each other to get even. Dominic ran up, held up a small crucifix and asked them to look at Jesus, who died and forgave. The two boys were ashamed and made peace.
He loved the Eucharist and Mary very much. With his friends he started the “Sodality of the Immaculate Conception,” to pray together, keep the house rules and help the new boys.
Then he became seriously ill and had to go home. He died peacefully on 9 March 1857, before he turned 15. Don Bosco wrote a book about his life. In 1954, Pope Pius XII canonized him. Don Bosco’s Salesian Family celebrates him on 6 May.
Why is he a saint?
Saint Dominic Savio became holy through his everyday duties: studying, obeying, playing happily and helping his friends. He was always cheerful, and Don Bosco taught him that holiness is found in joy and in doing your duties well. He loved God so much that he would rather die than offend him.
A lesson for you
- Study, do your homework and help with the housework really well, as a gift you offer to God.
- When you see friends arguing, gently help them make peace.
- Stay cheerful, and keep away from anything that offends God.
Identifying marks
- A white lily: he kept his heart pure; his motto was “Death rather than sin.”
- A schoolbook: he was a student of Don Bosco, hardworking and obedient to his teacher.
- The jacket and little bow tie of a 19th-century schoolboy: he was an ordinary boy, just like you.
- Standing beside Saint John Bosco (*): teacher and student are often painted together, because Don Bosco wrote a book about his life.
(*) Only in some pictures and statues.
The text on this page is the saint card in the Catholic Information app, word for word.
Collect this card and read more about the saints in the app