Saint Dominique Savio
Dominique Savio naquit à
Riva di Chieri, près de Turin dans une famille humble de paysans forgerons, il
était le deuxième d'une fratrie de dix. Doué d'une tendre piété et d'une
intelligence précoce, dès l'âge de sept ans (chose extraordinaire à l’époque), il
est admis à faire sa première communion. C'est en octobre 1854, à l'âge de
douze ans et demi que Dominique fut présenté à saint Jean Bosco, l’éducateur
des jeunes, qui prendra un soin particulier de cette âme d’élite. Grande fut sa
vertu tout autant que sa joie lumineuse et sa bonne humeur.
Au printemps 1855,
l'appel à la sainteté retentit dans l'âme angélique de Dominique: «Dieu me veut
saint !», répétait-il à Don Bosco.
«Veux-tu devenir saint, comme le demande l'apôtre Paul ? Par la grâce du Seigneur, dit don Bosco, tu en as l'étoffe !
- Oui, je le désire vivement et je souhaite que cette étoffe devienne un bel habit pour le Seigneur, répond Dominique; mais il me faut pour cela un bon tailleur. Acceptez-vous de le devenir pour moi ?»
Les durs hivers de Turin achevèrent de détériorer sa santé qui n'avait jamais
été brillante; elle chancela grièvement au début de l'année 1857. Malgré le
courage et la joie héroïque de Dominique, il dut interrompre sa classe de
seconde et rentrer dans sa famille à Mondonio pour tenter d'y refaire ses
forces. C’est là qu’il mourut en 1857, il n’avait pas 15 ans.
Saint Dominique Savio
Disciple de saint Jean
Bosco (+ 1857)
Le pupille de saint Jean Bosco était d'une famille humble, paysan-forgeron dans le Piémont. Grande fut sa vertu tout autant que sa joie lumineuse et sa bonne humeur. Il mourut alors qu'il n'avait pas quinze ans et son biographe n'est autre que saint Jean Bosco. Il fut canonisé en 1954 et a été proclamé patron des "Pueri Cantores", des petits chanteurs et des jeunes délinquants parce qu'il aidait ses camarades à retrouver le chemin de l'Évangile.
Canonisé par Pie XII en 1954.
A lire aussi: Dominique Savio, une belle figure de jeune, sur le site des Salésiens.
«Veux-tu devenir saint, comme le demande l'apôtre Paul (cf. 1 Th 4, 3)? Par la grâce du Seigneur, dit don Bosco, tu en as l'étoffe!
- Oui, je le désire vivement et je souhaite que cette étoffe devienne un bel habit pour le Seigneur, répond Dominique; mais il me faut pour cela un bon tailleur. Acceptez-vous de le devenir pour moi?»
À Mondonio dans le Piémont, en 1857, saint Dominique Savio. D'un caractère doux
et joyeux depuis son enfance, il parcourut à grands pas, sous la direction de
saint Jean Bosco, le chemin de la perfection, qu'il acheva à l'âge de quinze
ans.
Martyrologe romain
«Pour nous, nous faisons
consister la sainteté à être toujours joyeux»
Cf. Ga 5, 22
.jpg)
Image extracted from
Giovanni Bosco, Life of Dominic Savio.djvu (page 6
crop), Salesian Press, 1 January 1915
SAINT DOMINIQUE SAVIO
Confesseur
(1842-1857)
Saint Dominique Savio
naquit à Riva di Chieri, près de Turin. Il était le deuxième d'une famille de
dix enfants. Doué d'une tendre piété et d'une intelligence précoce, dès l'âge
de quatre ans Dominique récite l'Angélus trois fois par jour; le récit de la Passion
le bouleverse. A cinq ans, il assiste à la sainte messe qu'il est admis à
servir avant d'avoir atteint ses six ans. Il s'acquittera toujours de cette
pieuse fonction avec un grand recueillement.
Sa ferveur exceptionnelle
lui valut la grâce de recevoir la Sainte Eucharistie dès l'âge de sept ans,
contrairement aux habitudes de l'époque. Le jour de sa première communion, il
écrivit une série de résolutions qu'il voulait garder toute sa vie: «Je
sanctifierai tous les jours de fête; je me confesserai souvent et je
communierai aussi souvent que mon confesseur me le permettra; Jésus et Marie
seront mes amis. Je préfère mourir plutôt que de pécher.»
Dans l'espoir de devenir
prêtre plus tard, le petit Dominique franchit, pieds nus, seize kilomètres par
jour pour aller s'instruire. La grande pauvreté de sa famille incite le curé de
sa paroisse à le conduire chez Don Bosco qui prendra un soin tout paternel de
cette âme d'élite.
C'est en octobre 1854, à
l'âge de douze ans et demi que Dominique fut présenté au saint prêtre de Turin.
L'adolescent lui ouvrit son âme toute grande, surtout par la confession
hebdomadaire.
Le 8 décembre 1854, alors
que l'univers chrétien tout entier acclamait la Sainte Vierge, proclamée
Immaculée, Dominique Lui dédiait toute sa vie et Lui consacrait
particulièrement sa pureté d'adolescent. L'amour de la pureté poussait notre
jeune Saint à bannir de l'institut de Don Bosco tout ce qui pouvait nuire à la
belle vertu.
Au printemps 1855,
l'appel à la sainteté retentit dans l'âme angélique de Dominique: «Dieu me veut
saint!», répétait-il à Don Bosco. Cherchant à ressembler à Jésus en Son mystère
de souffrance, envahi de plus en plus par l'amour de Jésus rédempteur, il
s'ingénie au sacrifice et fonce dans la voie des pénitences extraordinaires. «Non,
objecte Don Bosco; ton devoir d'étudiant, la joie permanente au service des
autres, voilà ta sainteté.» Dominique obéit de bon coeur à cette formule
d'ascèse toute salésienne.
Chaque jour, il rencontre
Jésus dans l'Eucharistie. On se rend vite compte que ses actions de grâces sont
de purs ravissements. Lorsqu'il propose la fondation de la Compagnie de
l'Immaculée, ses compagnons lui demandent ce qu'ils auront à faire: «D'abord,
explique le petit Saint, nous aimerons la Sainte Vierge de tout notre coeur.
Nous Lui demanderons aussi de nous protéger pendant la vie et surtout à l'heure
de la mort. Enfin, chaque fois qu'il y aura une de Ses fêtes, on fera tout son
possible pour la rendre belle et on communiera.»
Les durs hivers de Turin
achevèrent de détériorer sa santé qui n'avait jamais été brillante; elle
chancela grièvement au début de l'année 1857. Malgré le courage et la joie
héroïque de Dominique, il dut interrompre sa classe de seconde et rentrer dans
sa famille à Mondonio pour tenter d'y refaire ses forces. Hélas! Huit jours
après son arrivée à la maison, il expirait dans les bras de son père. Dominique
avait 14 ans et 11 mois.
Résumé O.D.M. d'après une
image et R. P. Mongour, édition 1950, p. 52, p. 72
SOURCE : http://magnificat.ca/cal/fr/saints/saint_dominique_savio.html
Saint Dominique SAVIO
Nom: SAVIO
Prénom: Dominique
Pays: Italie
Naissance: 02.04.1842 à
Riva di Chieri (Piémont)
Mort: 09.03.1857 à
Mondonio
Etat: Adolescent
Note: Disciple de Don
Bosco. Entre en octobre 1854 à l'Oratoire fondé à Turin par S. Jean Bosco.
Fonde à 13 ans la "Compagnie de l'Immaculée Conception"
Béatification: 05.03.1950
à Rome par Pie XII
Canonisation: 12.06.1954
à Rome par Pie XII
Fête: 9 mars
Réf. dans l’Osservatore
Romano:
Réf. dans la Documentation
Catholique: 1954 col.847-855
Notice brève
Dominique Savio naît dans
le Piémont près de Turin en 1842. Très avancé au point de vue spirituel et
désireux de s’instruire, il a la chance de rencontrer Don Bosco qui l’accepte
immédiatement dans son œuvre : “l’Oratoire”. L’enfant adopte avec enthousiasme
le programme de son maître : sainteté et salut des âmes, le tout vécu dans un
climat de joie à l’école de Saint François de Sales. Se faisant tout à tous, au
milieu des autres enfants, spécialement attentif aux plus faibles, il est très
bon camarade, mais avec discernement. Deux événements mariaux marquent son
parcours à l’Oratoire : la fête de l’Immaculée Conception, le 8 décembre 1854,
jour de la proclamation du dogme par Pie IX, et 9 mois avant sa mort, la
fondation avec quelques amis de la “compagnie de l’Immaculée”. N’ayant pas
encore tout à fait atteint ses 15 ans, il meurt le 9 mars 1857. Don Bosco
écrira sa vie.
Notice développée
"Dominique est la
plus délicieuse figure de la geste de don Bosco" (Daniel-Rops). C'est le deuxième
enfant d'une famille qui devait en compter dix. Domenico naît en 1842 à Riva
presso di Chieri, à une vingtaine de km à l'est de Turin. Sa famille est
pauvre, ce qui oblige son père à exercer à tour de rôle les métiers de forgeron
ou de paysan suivant les nécessités et à changer plusieurs fois de lieu
d'habitation. Deux ans après la naissance de Dominique, ses parents retournent
dans leur pays d'origine, le hameau de Murialdo, village natal de Don Bosco.
Dès l'âge de cinq ans, Dominique suit la messe quotidiennement et lorsque,
parfois l'église n'est pas encore ouverte, il s'agenouille à la porte et prie,
quel que soit le temps. Le curé raconte: "Encore très jeune et de petite
taille, il ne pouvait transporter le missel; c'était curieux de le voir s'approcher
de l'autel, se hausser sur la pointe des pieds, tendre les bras tant qu'il
pouvait, faire tout son possible pour atteindre le porte-missel. Si le prêtre
ou quelqu'un d'autre voulait lui faire un plaisir immense, il devait, non pas
transporter le missel, mais le lui rapprocher suffisamment, et alors, tout
joyeux, il le portait de l'autre côté de l'autel." Il n'est pas étourdi et
dissipé comme les garçons de son âge. Très pieux, on n'a pas besoin de lui
rappeler ses prières. C'est plutôt lui qui les rappelle à ses parents quand,
pressés par la tâche, ils les oublient.
Bien qu'à l'époque on ne
fasse la première communion qu'à 11 ou 12 ans, Dominique est si avancé qu'on
lui permet de la faire à 7 ans. Il s'y prépare avec joie, et demande pardon à
ses parents pour les peines qu'il leur a causées (!), car en fait il ne leur
procurait que des joies. Conscient de ce à quoi il s'engage, il écrit ceci:
"Résolutions prises par moi, Dominique Savio, en 1849, quand j'ai fait ma
première communion à 7 ans: 1) Je me confesserai très souvent et je communierai
toutes les fois que mon confesseur me le permettra. 2) Je veux sanctifier les
jours de fête. 3) Mes amis seront Jésus et Marie. 4) La mort mais pas de
péchés. " Ces résolutions, souvent répétées, orientent toute sa vie. Et
don Bosco de conclure par cette réflexion: "Soyons persuadés qu'une
première communion bien faite constitue un solide fondement moral pour toute la
vie; et il est rare de trouver quelqu'un qui ait bien accompli ce devoir
solennel qui n'ait pas mené ensuite une vie bonne et vertueuse. Au contraire,
on compte par milliers les jeunes gens pervertis, qui désolent leurs parents et
ceux qui s'occupent d'eux; cherchez la racine du mal, vous verrez que le début
de leur mauvaise conduite coïncide avec une première communion peu ou
aucunement préparée. Il vaut mieux la renvoyer à plus tard ou même ne pas la
faire du tout que de la mal faire."
Dominique travaille très
bien et il aimerait continuer son instruction mais sa famille est pauvre et la
seule école valable, celle de Castelnuovo, est éloignée. Sa ténacité vainc tous
les obstacles: il fera 4 fois par jour le chemin qui le mène à cette école,
soit en tout 17 ou 18 km, sans se plaindre de la fatigue et des intempéries, ou
craindre la marche en solitaire, car il se sait protégé par son Ange gardien,
et Dieu, dit-il, est "un patron qui paie bien". Ces marches
quotidiennes ne durent que quelques mois, car en octobre 1852, ses parents
viennent s'établir à Mondonio et là se trouve une bonne école. Dominique est un
élève excellent et sa conduite est irréprochable. Mais un jour une grosse
bêtise est commise – on a bourré le poêle de la classe avec de la neige et des
cailloux – et dans la peur d'être renvoyés, les coupables prennent les devants
et accusent Dominique. Celui-ci accepte les reproches du professeur sans rien
dire. Il expliquera plus tard: "L'autre, déjà coupable de plusieurs
sottises, aurait peut-être été chassé de l'école. Pour moi j'espérais être
pardonné puisque c'était la première faute dont j'étais accusé à l'école et
puis je pensais à notre Dieu Sauveur qui fut injustement calomnié."
Dominique fuit les occasions de péché, refusant, par exemple, d'aller à la
baignade, parce que c'est défendu, que plusieurs s'y sont noyés et que,
surtout, beaucoup s'y sont laissés entraîner au péché.
Don Bosco passant dans la
région en octobre 1854 avec un certain nombre de ses garçons, on lui parle de
Dominique Savio avec éloges et ce dernier vient le voir, accompagné de son
père. Après un bref examen, don Bosco accepte son admission sans délai au vu de
ses qualités tant intellectuelles que spirituelles. Il est "stupéfait de
découvrir l'œuvre que la grâce divine avait déjà accomplie en un garçon si
jeune." Dominique se rend donc à Turin avec son père, à la maison de
l'Oratoire. Arrivé dans la chambre de don Bosco, son regard s'arrête sur un
carton où sont écrits en gros caractères les mots suivants familiers à Saint
François de Sales: "Da mihi animas, cœtera tolle" (Gn 14,21), ce
qu'on traduit au sens spirituel par "Donne-moi des âmes, prends tout le
reste". Don Bosco en a fait sa devise. Elle deviendra aussi celle de
Dominique.
C'est un régal pour lui
d'écouter les sermons, car il est convaincu que la Parole de Dieu est le guide
de l'homme sur le chemin du ciel; aussi toutes les leçons pratiques qu'il
entend dans les sermons se gravent en lui et il ne les oublie plus.
Instructions et catéchismes, si longs qu'ils fussent, sont toujours un plaisir
pour lui. La fête de l'Immaculée Conception du 8 décembre 1854 est l'occasion
pour lui de faire un grand pas dans la vie spirituelle. C'est le jour de la
proclamation du dogme de l'Immaculé Conception par le bienheureux Pape Pie IX.
Le soir de ce grand jour, Dominique se consacre à la Sainte Vierge et
renouvelle les promesses faites à sa première communion, puis répète
textuellement à plusieurs reprises les phrases suivantes: "Marie je vous
donne mon cœur; faites qu'il soit toujours vôtre. Jésus et Marie, soyez
toujours mes amis, mais de grâce, faites-moi mourir plutôt que d'avoir le
malheur de commettre un seul péché." Dès lors sa vie en paraît tellement
transformée qu'à partir de ce jour, don Bosco se met à noter ses faits et
gestes pour ne pas les oublier. Dominique est un bon camarade, toujours joyeux,
pur, serviable, fervent pour l'apostolat, héroïque parfois comme lorsqu'il
s'interpose entre deux camarades plus âgés que lui qui veulent se battre à
coups de pierres.
La dernière étape de sa
vie est encore mariale. (C'est la dévotion à Marie qui fera sa gloire dans le
ciel, comme il le révèlera après sa mort à don Bosco en lui apparaissant dans
un songe.) Donc le 8 juin 1856 – il avait encore 9 mois à vivre – il fonde avec
un groupe d'amis la Compagnie de l'Immaculée. Le but de cette compagnie est
d'assurer à ses membres la protection de la Sainte Mère de Dieu pendant leur
vie et surtout à l'heure de la mort.
Dominique est dévoré de
zèle et cela n'est pas sans influer sur sa santé. Consciencieusement, don Bosco
le fait examiner par plusieurs médecins. "Tous, dit-il, admirent sa jovialité,
sa présence d'esprit et le bon sens de ses réponses. L'un de ces médecins, le
docteur François Vallavri, d'heureuse mémoire, dit plein d'admiration: - Quelle
perle, cet enfant! – Mais d'où vient le mal qui l'affaiblit régulièrement d'un
jour à l'autre? demande don Bosco. – Sa complexion chétive, son intelligence
précoce, sa tension d'esprit continuelle sont comme des limes qui lui rongent
insensiblement les forces vitales." Dominique doit donc quitter l'Oratoire
et rentrer chez lui. Il est navré car il sait, malgré ce que lui dit don Bosco,
qu'il ne reviendra plus. Le médecin de son pays croit bien faire en le
soumettant à un remède très prisé à l'époque: la saignée. Dominique en subit 10
en 4 jours, avec un courage au-dessus de son âge. Le médecin est très satisfait
du résultat; apparemment en effet il va mieux, mais Dominique ne se fait pas
d'illusion et il demande le Viatique. Peu après, alors que le médecin et son
entourage le croient hors de danger, il demande le Sacrement des malades et on
lui donne en même temps la 'bénédiction papale'. Il en éprouve une grande joie.
"Deo gratias et semper Deo gratias!" dit-il. C'est le 9 mars, 4e jour
de sa maladie, le dernier de sa vie. Le soir, son curé vient le voir. Il se
réveille et d'une voix claire et joyeuse, il dit en présence de ses parents:
"Adieu, mon cher papa, adieu! Monsieur le Curé voulait encore me dire
autre chose, et je n'arrive plus à me le rappeler....Oh! que c'est beau ce que
je vois..." A ces mots et toujours en souriant, le visage lumineux, il
expire les mains jointes et croisées sur la poitrine, sans le moindre
mouvement.
Telle fut la vie d'un
saint. Elle fut écrite pas un autre saint, don Bosco, lequel ne pouvait évoquer
son souvenir sans pleurer. Saint Dominique Savio, canonisé en 1954, est le plus
jeune des confesseurs non-martyrs canonisés (il n'avait pas encore tout à fait
15 ans). Mais depuis cette 'limite d'âge' a été considérablement reculée avec
la béatification des enfants de Fatima, la petite Jacinta n'ayant pas encore
atteint ses 10 ans. En instaurant la communion pour les enfants, Pie X disait:
"Il y aura des saints parmi les enfants" et Jean Paul II a rajouté:
"et des apôtres".
SOURCE : http://www.abbaye-saint-benoit.ch/hagiographie/fiches/f0076.htm
_05.JPG)
Cathedral
of the Immaculate Conception in Moscow (2015-03-08; full
set)
Собор
Непорочного Зачатия Пресвятой Девы Марии в Москве (2015-03-08)
Saint Dominique Savio
Saint Dominique Savio
est né en 1842, dans un village du Piémont ; à douze ans, il entrait à
l’Oratoire de Turin fondé par saint Jean Bosco.
Un Saint allait être
formé par un Saint.
Il mourut à quinze ans
chez ses parents après une vie de grande sainteté. C’était l’an 1857.
Le Pape Pie XII a
canonisé Saint Dominique Savio le 12 juin 1954.
Saint Dominique Savio est
né en 1842, Grégoire XVI étant pape, Ferdinand Ier empereur (d’Autriche) et
Louis-Philippe roi de France, dans un village du Piémont ; à douze ans, il
entrait à l’Oratoire de Turin fondé par saint Jean Bosco. Il mourut à quinze
ans chez ses parents après une vie de grande sainteté. C’était l’an 1857, Pie
IX étant pape, François-Joseph empereur et Napoléon III en France.
Le Pape Pie XII a
canonisé Saint Dominique Savio le 12 juin 1954.
Dans son allocution lors
de la cérémonie de canonisation, le Pape a déclaré à propos de notre Saint :
« Alors que les trois
héros que nous venons de commémorer avaient prodigué toutes leurs forces
viriles dans le dur combat contre les forces du mal, voici qu’apparaît à notre
regard l’image de Dominique Savio, fragile adolescent, au corps faible, mais à
l’âme tendue dans une pure oblation de soi à l’amour surhumainement délicat et
exigeant du Christ.
« À un âge si tendre, on
s’attendrait plutôt à trouver de bonnes et aimables dispositions d’esprit ; en
revanche, on découvre en lui avec stupeur les merveilleuses voies des
inspirations de la grâce, une adhésion constante et sans réserve aux choses du
Ciel que sa Foi percevait avec une rare intensité.
« À l’école de son Maître
spirituel, le grand saint Don Bosco, il apprit que la joie de servir Dieu et de
Le faire aimer par les autres peut devenir un puissant moyen d’apostolat.
« Le 8 décembre 1854 le
vit élevé en une extase d’amour envers la Vierge Marie, et, peu après, il
réunissait quelques-uns de ses amis dans la « Compagnie de l’Immaculée
Conception », afin d’avancer à grands pas sur le chemin de la sainteté et
d’éviter jusqu’au plus petit péché. Il incitait ses compagnons à la piété, à la
bonne conduite, à la fréquentation des sacrements, à la récitation du chapelet,
à l’éloignement du mal et des tentations.
« Sans se laisser
intimider par de mauvais accueils et par des réponses insolentes, il
intervenait avec fermeté, mais charitablement, pour rappeler au devoir les
écervelés et les pervers.
« Comblé déjà en cette
vie de la familiarité et des dons du doux Hôte de l’âme il quitta bientôt la
terre pour recevoir, avec l’intercession de la Reine céleste, la récompense de
son amour filial. »
« Il est beau de vivre
pour faire du bien et rendre gloire à Dieu » (Saint Dominique Savio, 1857)
Pallanza
(Verbania, Piemonte), chiesa di San Giuseppe - Affresco di Domenico Savio
Pallanza
(Verbania, Piedmont, Italy), Saint Joseph church - Fresco of Dominic Savio
PONTIFICIUM OPUS A SANCTA
INFANTIA
Dominique naquit le 2
avril 1842 dans la province de Turin, dans le nord de l’Italie, dans une
famille
humble, mais très pieuse.
Dès son plus jeune âge, il décida d’imiter fidèlement Jésus Christ, en évitant
tout ce qui pouvait l’éloigner de Lui. À 7 ans, il fit sa première communion,
et à 12 ans il entra au Oratoire de saint Jean Bosco. Sous la direction
personnelle du grand saint salésien, il se transforma en tabernacle du Seigneur
et en modèle et exemple d’amour de Dieu pour les autres. Uniquement pour sa
maniere de vivre il fut un vrai apôtre et missionnaire de Jésus.
Ceux qui l’ont rencontré
pendant sa vie disent qu’il n’était pas petit de stature, mais qu’il était très
mince et très fragile. Il préférait écouter que parler. Humble et respectueux avec
tous, il avait un don naturel pour apaiser les discussions et les disputes qui,
à cet âge, surgissaient parfois presque spontanément entre ses compagnons.
Son seul intérêt était
Dieu et comment faire pour que les autres concentrent leurs énergies pour mieux
le servir. Ce qui lui manquait en force physique, il le récupérait en stature
morale, en courage et en acceptation de la volonté de Dieu, quelle qu’elle soit.
La première biographie de
Dominique fut écrite par son maître saint Jean Bosco, et ces pages sont à
l’origine de nombreuses vocations, parmi lesquelles celle du futur pape Benoît
XVI qui a veillé avec tant de sollicitude sur l’Oeuvre de l’Enfance Missionnaire.
Dominique mourut à l’âge
de 15 ans, le 9 mars 1857. Il fut canonisé par le Pape Pie XII en 1954. Il y a
juste cinquante ans.
« Comme saint Dominique
Savio, que tous les missionnaires soient un bon exemple, par leur parole, leur
action dans leur famille, avec leurs voisins, leurs collègues de travail. À
tous les âges, en effet, on peut et on doit témoigner le Christ ! L’engagement
du témoin chrétien est permanent et quotidien. »
(S.S. Jean-Paul II,
Homélie du 7 décembre 1997)
Domenico Savio
1842-1857
Domenico Savio naquit à
Riva di Chieri, près de Turin, le 2 avril 1842, deuxième d'une famille de dix
enfants. Doué d'une tendre piété et d'une intelligence précoce, dès l'âge de
quatre ans Domenico récite l'Angelus trois fois par jour ; le récit de la
Passion du Christ le bouleverse. A cinq ans, il assiste à la sainte messe qu'il
est admis à servir avant d'avoir atteint ses six ans. Il s'acquittera toujours
de cette pieuse fonction avec un grand recueillement.
Sa ferveur exceptionnelle
lui valut la grâce de recevoir la Sainte Eucharistie dès l'âge de sept ans,
contrairement aux habitudes de l'époque. Le jour de sa première communion, il
écrivit une série de résolutions qu'il voulait garder toute sa vie :
Je sanctifierai tous les
jours de fête ;
je me confesserai souvent
et je communierai aussi souvent que mon confesseur me le permettra ;
Jésus et Marie seront mes
amis.
Je préfère mourir plutôt
que de pécher.
Dans l'espoir de devenir
prêtre plus tard, le petit Domenico franchit, pieds nus, seize kilomètres par
jour pour aller s'instruire. La grande pauvreté de sa famille incite le curé de
sa paroisse à le conduire chez Don Bosco qui prendra un soin tout paternel de
cette âme d'élite.
C'est en octobre 1854, à
l'âge de douze ans et demi que Domenico fut présenté au saint prêtre de Turin.
L'adolescent lui ouvrit son âme toute grande, surtout par la confession
hebdomadaire. Le 8 décembre 1854, alors que l'univers chrétien tout entier
acclamait la Sainte Vierge, proclamée Immaculée, Domenico lui dédiait toute sa
vie et lui consacrait particulièrement sa pureté d'adolescent. L'amour de la
pureté poussait notre jeune Saint à bannir de l'institut de Don Bosco tout ce qui
pouvait nuire à la belle vertu.
Au printemps 1855,
l'appel à la sainteté retentit dans l'âme angélique de Domenico : Dieu me
veut saint ! répétait-il à Don Bosco. Cherchant à ressembler à Jésus en
son mystère de souffrance, envahi de plus en plus par l'amour de Jésus
rédempteur, il s'ingénie au sacrifice et fonce dans la voie des pénitences
extraordinaires. Non, objecte Don Bosco ; ton devoir d'étudiant, la joie
permanente au service des autres, voilà ta sainteté. Domenico obéit de bon
cœur à cette formule d'ascèse toute salésienne.
Chaque jour, il rencontre
Jésus dans l'Eucharistie. On se rend vite compte que ses actions de grâces sont
de purs ravissements.
Lorsqu'il propose la
fondation de la Compagnie de l'Immaculée, ses compagnons lui demandent
ce qu'ils auront à faire : D'abord, explique-t-il, nous aimerons
la Sainte Vierge de tout notre cœur. Nous Lui demanderons aussi de nous
protéger pendant la vie et surtout à l'heure de la mort. Enfin, chaque fois
qu'il y aura une de ses fêtes, on fera tout son possible pour la rendre belle
et on communiera.
Les durs hivers de Turin
achevèrent de détériorer sa santé qui n'avait jamais été brillante ; elle
chancela grièvement au début de l'année 1857. Malgré le courage et la joie
héroïque de Dominique, il dut interrompre sa classe de seconde et rentrer dans
sa famille à Mondonio pour tenter d'y refaire ses forces. Hélas ! Huit jours
après son arrivée à la maison, il expirait dans les bras de son père.
C’était le 9 mars 1857 :
Domenico n’avait pas accompli quinze ans.
Domenico Savio fut
béatifié en 1950, et canonisé en 1954.
Il est le céleste Patron
de la jeunesse et des petits chanteurs (Pueri Cantores).
SOURCE : http://www.samuelephrem.eu/article-03-09-115924058.html
San Domenico Savio, chiesa in Barriera di Milano, Torino
Saint Dominique Savio
Disciple de saint Jean Bosco
Domenico Savio naît
le 2 avril 1842 à Riva di Chieri, à une vingtaine de kilomètres de Turin, dans
une famille humble, mais très pieuse.
Dès son plus jeune âge,
il décida d’imiter fidèlement Jésus Christ, en évitant tout ce qui pouvait
l’éloigner de Lui. À 7 ans, il fit sa première communion, et à 12 ans il entra
à l’Oratoire de saint Jean Bosco. Sous la direction personnelle du grand saint
salésien, il se transforma en tabernacle du Seigneur et en modèle et exemple
d’amour de Dieu pour les autres. Uniquement pour sa manière de vivre il fut un
vrai apôtre et missionnaire de Jésus.
Ceux qui l’ont rencontré
pendant sa vie disent qu’il n’était pas petit de stature, mais qu’il était très
mince et très fragile. Il préférait écouter que parler. Humble et respectueux
avec tous, il avait un don naturel pour apaiser les discussions et les disputes
qui, à cet âge, surgissaient parfois presque spontanément entre ses compagnons.
Son seul intérêt était
Dieu et comment faire pour que les autres concentrent leurs énergies pour mieux
le servir. Ce qui lui manquait en force physique, il le récupérait en stature
morale, en courage et en acceptation de la volonté de Dieu, quelle qu’elle
soit.
De santé fragile,
Dominique tombe malade en juin 1856. Don Bosco, inquiet, l'envoie respirer l'air
natal à Mondonio pour qu'il se repose. Il y reste deux mois et revient à Turin
fin août. Il entre en seconde, mais il tombe de nouveau malade. Don Bosco
l'envoie à l'infirmerie puis, espérant que l'air du pays lui rendra de nouveau
la santé, demande à Carlo Savio de venir rechercher son fils. Dominique
retourne à Mondonio le 1er mars.
Il y meurt de la
tuberculose le 9 mars 1857, vers 22 heures, à l’âge de 15 ans. Juste avant de
s'éteindre, il dit à ses parents avec un air d'extase : « Oh ! Comme c'est
beau ce que je vois ! ».
La première biographie de
Dominique fut écrite par son maître saint Jean Bosco, et ces pages sont à
l’origine de nombreuses vocations, parmi lesquelles celle du futur pape Benoît
XVI qui a veillé avec tant de sollicitude sur l’Œuvre de l’Enfance
Missionnaire.
Domenico Savio a été
béatifié à Rome le 5 mars 1950 par le Vénérable Pie XII (Eugenio Pacelli,
1939-1958) et canonisé le 12 juin 1954 par le même pape.
SOURCE : https://levangileauquotidien.org/FR/display-saint/b1cc90d9-8728-4491-92f9-633e4d0a6bf1
Don Bosco et Dominique
Savio
Dominique Savio, 12 ans
et demi, issu d'une famille très Chrétienne, et remarqué pour ses qualités
humaines et spirituelles exceptionnelles, est élève du premier collège des
Salésiens, au Valdocco à Turin.
Confiance et
sanctification
A cette époque, Don Bosco a 39 ans. Il met au point sa méthode pédagogique, appelée « système préventif », basée sur la raison, la religion et l'affection.
Il lui est alors donné de parler à Dominique pour la première fois. « Nous
sommes tout de suite entrés dans une relation de pleine confiance mutuelle »,
écrira-t-il plus tard, soulignant ainsi que la confiance, jointe à la lucidité,
constitue le socle par excellence de toute relation d'accompagnement.
Écoutons à ce propos le dialogue d'Octobre 1854 :
« Veux-tu devenir Saint, comme le demande l'apôtre Paul (cf. 1 Th 4, 3) ? Par la grâce du Seigneur, dit don Bosco, tu en as l'étoffe !
- Oui, je le désire vivement et je souhaite que cette étoffe devienne un bel habit pour le Seigneur, répond Dominique ; mais il me faut pour cela un bon tailleur. Acceptez-vous de le devenir pour moi ? »
Ce court échange montre bien le but de tout travail de discernement spirituel
selon Don Bosco : dans une relation suivie avec un guide expérimenté,
accueillir la sanctification qui vient de Dieu.
Une affection lucide
Entre l'éducateur et son élève s'instaure désormais une alliance profonde. Tous deux vont se mettre à l'écoute de L'Esprit.
Mais cela, ils le vivent dans une relation d'affection (amorevolezza) qui sait
garder une juste distance.
Dominique se sent aimé et respecté. Il admire Don Bosco, s'attachant et s'en remettant totalement à lui, comme à un père.
Attitudes classiques chez un adolescent, qui peuvent se révéler constructives
dans l'accompagnement spirituel ; à la condition cependant que l'éducateur ne
se laisse point « piéger » ou manipuler par ce qu'elles peuvent avoir
d'excessif.
Don Bosco l'avait bien compris. Tout en exprimant de l'amitié vis-à-vis de Dominique, il veillait à le renvoyer à d'autres personnes.
Il le référait au règlement de la maison qui faisait loi pour les rencontres entre éducateurs et éduqués.
Il l'encourageait à constituer des groupes d'approfondissement de la Foi, « les
Compagnies », dont Dominique avait eu d'ailleurs lui-même l'idée. Enfin et
surtout, il ne l'enfermait pas dans la relation chaleureuse avec lui, mais
veillait à l'ouvrir sans cesse à cet Autre qu'est Jésus-Christ Vivant.
Découvrir la gratuité
Dans ce but, Don Bosco encourageait Dominique à développer sa vie sacramentelle. A une époque où cela était peu admis, il n'hésitait pas à l'inviter à la Communion fréquente et à vivre avec intensité tous les exercices spirituels proposés par la maison Salésienne : Confessions souvent renouvelées, Prières personnelles et communautaires régulières, récollections mensuelles, etc.
Il cherchait ainsi à ce que Dominique puisse faire un jour l'expérience la plus
centrale de la vie Chrétienne : celle de la gratuité de Dieu.
Avoir les pieds sur terre
En effet, comme tout adolescent épris d'absolu, le jeune Savio ne connaissait pas de mesure dans le don qu'il voulait faire de lui-même à Dieu.
Il fut ainsi conduit à des pratiques de mortifications nuisibles à sa santé et à son équilibre. Don Bosco en prit vite conscience.
En bon accompagnateur, il lui rappela à plusieurs reprises que Dieu et la sainteté ne se conquièrent pas à la force des poignets, par accumulation de mérites.
Le Royaume de Dieu est un royaume de surabondance et de gratuité ; telle est la
découverte quelque peu bouleversante que doit faire un jour ou l'autre tout
chrétien.
Rencontrer Dieu dans le
quotidien
Mais une telle découverte nécessite préalablement un itinéraire où se succèdent des sentiers faciles à parcourir, des sommets difficiles à gravir, des chemins de crête qui donnent parfois le vertige, de mornes plaines qui paraissent interminables,...
Dans tous les cas, il s'agit de se confronter au concret, non seulement dans
ses aspects exceptionnels, mais surtout dans ce qu'il a de plus quotidien et de
plus banal. C'est ce concret qui est la glaise avec laquelle la sainteté se
pétrit.
Aussi ne s'étonnera-t-on pas de constater que le souci majeur de don Bosco envers Dominique fut de le renvoyer à son expérience quotidienne d'élève vivant en internat.
« Tu es élève..., élève-toi donc, grâce à L'Esprit, jusqu'à la connaissance du Christ Ressuscité, et vis pleinement ta condition de fils de Dieu. »
Telle fut en définitive la consigne qui structura toute la démarche proposée à
Dominique Savio.
Être élève, cela veut
dire d'abord assumer le mieux possible le travail scolaire. C'est aussi savoir
trouver sa juste place à l'intérieur de la classe et parfois de l'internat dans
lequel on vit. C'est encore se faire inventif pour ménager des espaces de
loisirs où l'on fait l'expérience, jusque dans son corps, qu'il est bon de
vivre.
Témoigner de Dieu
C'est pourquoi, Don Bosco, inlassablement, invita Dominique à se tourner vers le concret et en faire le lieu de la rencontre de Dieu.
Et Dominique joua pleinement le jeu ! Le travail scolaire, il l'assuma avec beaucoup de sérieux.
Quant à sa place dans l'internat, il ne se contenta pas de la trouver et de s'y
réfugier. Encouragé par Don Bosco, il en fit un lieu apostolique tout à fait
essentiel.
Par exemple, il chercha à être témoin du Dieu riche en Miséricorde (Ep 2, 4) et porteur de réconciliation.
En prenant parfois des risques importants, il intervint positivement pour
mettre fin à de sévères conflits existant entre certains de ses camarades.
De même, le jeune Savio ne se contenta pas de vivre les activités scolaires, suivant la logique de l'Évangile.
Encouragé par son accompagnateur, il chercha à faire connaître la joie profonde qu'apporte toute fidélité à Dieu vécue dans L'Esprit.
Il anima « les compagnies » de façon telle que chacun de leurs membres puisse
dire à la suite de Don Bosco : « Pour nous, nous faisons consister
la sainteté à être toujours joyeux » (Cf. Ga 5, 22)
Respecter les chemins de
l'Esprit
Mais le Prêtre de Turin avait compris que le jeune Savio possédait une personnalité hors du commun, qu'il fallait savoir prendre en compte.
L'Esprit en effet développe toujours de façon unique les richesses enfouies de
la personne ; richesses qui apparaissent rarement aux yeux de qui n'a pas le
regard aiguisé par l'Évangile.
Ainsi, le 8 Décembre 1854, le Pape proclame le dogme de l'Immaculée Conception, affirmant que la Mère de Jésus a été « préservée intacte de toute souillure du péché originel ».
Belle occasion de développer la dimension Mariale de la Foi, d'autant plus que la maison Salésienne a été totalement épargnée - grâce à Marie, pense-t-on - par l'épidémie de choléra qui a fait 1400 morts à Turin !
La Vierge prend dès lors une place essentielle dans la Foi de Dominique au
point qu'il éprouve le désir de se consacrer à Elle, sur le conseil de don
Bosco.
De même, Dominique fut encouragé à développer sa vie d'intimité avec Dieu par de longs temps de Prière devant le Saint Sacrement.
Il fut ainsi conduit à connaître des expériences que certains qualifieraient
volontiers de mystiques.
Dans sa prière, le temps semblait s'abolir. Dominique était comme plongé dans
les profondeurs de Dieu.
Il savourait ainsi par avance quelque chose du Royaume à venir.
Don Bosco, toujours attentif aux inspirations de l'Esprit, respecta
l'originalité de telles rencontres avec Le Seigneur.
Loin de les soupçonner ou d'en rire ou encore de les majorer, il sut les
intégrer dans l'expérience spirituelle de Dominique.
Pour cela, il l'invita à
rattacher à sa vie quotidienne ces temps forts de perception de la paternité
Divine.
Il restait ainsi dans la logique du mouvement même de l'amour de Dieu ; de ce
Dieu qui, en son Verbe, « a planté sa tente parmi les hommes » (Jn 1, 14), et
qui « de riche, s'est fait pauvre pour eux, afin de les enrichir... de sa
pauvreté » (cf. 2 Co 8, 9) ! Voilà bien le signe par excellence de la qualité
de l'accompagnement de Don Bosco.
Depuis 55 ans, les Amis
de Dominique Savio proposent aux garçons de Belgique et de France, à
partir de 6 ans, de grandir et de s'épanouir dans un climat de joie et
d'amitié.
Les Amis de Dominique
Savio (A.D.S.)
L’histoire des A.D.S.
commence en 1954, l’année de la Canonisation de Dominique Savio.
Très vite, sous l’impulsion des Salésiens de Don Bosco, de nombreux groupes voient le jour en Italie et en France.
En Belgique, c’est le Père A. Delhaye qui fonde ce mouvement en 1958. Très vite, de nombreux groupes se développent sur le modèle du Patronage.
Les premiers noyaux se situent dans les régions de Mons et de Charleroi. Une revue paraît tous les mois, permettant ainsi aux membres de rester en contact.
La même année, le Père Delhaye organise le premier camp A.D.S. C’est pendant ce
camp qu’ont lieu les premières Promesses dans le sillage de Saint Dominique
Savio. Afin d’entretenir la flamme du camp, le Père organise plusieurs «
camp-retraite » pendant l’année ainsi que des sessions de formation pour les
animateurs.
En 1962, à Pâques, un pèlerinage rassemble à Turin plusieurs milliers d’A.D.S.
Dès 1962 également arrivent les premières demandes d’Afrique. Des groupes se constituent au Congo, en Côte d’Ivoire, au Togo, puis au Burundi.
Le Père Delhaye dirige les A.D.S. jusqu’en 2001. En janvier de cette année, victime d’une attaque cérébrale, il confie le mouvement à l’abbé Pierre Kokot, alors en dernière année de séminaire.
Dès lors, le mouvement est totalement indépendant de la Congrégation
Salésienne. Le Père Delhaye décède en 2004, à l’aube du 25 décembre.
En 2008, à l’occasion du cinquantième anniversaire de la fondation des A.D.S.,
un pèlerinage est organisé à Turin pendant les vacances de Pâques.
En 2010, sous l’impulsion du Papa de 2 A.D.S., les aînés du groupe partent au Liban pendant 12 jours.
En 2013, afin de seconder l’abbé P. Kokot, une association de parents
A.D.S. voit le jour.
Biographie
Un jeune comme toi !
Vie de Saint Dominique Savio par le R.P. Delhaye sdb
(Pour lire les différents
Chapitre ci-joint, ouvrir le lien ci-dessus).
Chapitre I - Jusqu'à la
rencontre de Don Bosco
1. Les débuts - 2. Dominique
à Murialdo - 3. Sa première communion - 4. A
l'école de Châteauneuf - 5. A l'école de Mondonio
Chapitre II - Chez Don
Bosco
1. Rencontre de Don
Bosco - 2. A l'Oratoire : l'envol décisif - 3. Dominique
étudiant 4. Désir de sainteté - 5. Désir de sauver les
âmes - 6. Avec ses condisciples - 7. Son esprit
de prière. Sa dévotion mariale - 8. Une vie illuminée par les
sacrements - 9. Ses pénitences - 10. La Compagnie
de l'Immaculée Conception - 11. Ses amitiés - 12.Faits
mystérieux
Chapitre III - Le
couronnement
1. Le terme approche - 2. Derniers
jours à l'Oratoire - 3. Départ de Turin - 4. Les
derniers jours - 5. La fin - 6. Dominique reste
vivant - 7. Dominique revient - 8. Les reliques
de Dominique Savio - 9. Miracles - 10. Sur les
autels - 11. La pensée des Papes
Son esprit de prière. Sa
dévotion mariale
Si nous voulons réussir notre vie et la rendre riche et rayonnante, nous devons la construire intensément avec le Seigneur, avec Notre-Dame.
La vraie Prière illumine et soulève toujours tellement la vie. Dans la vie de Dominique Savio, tout jaillissait de la Prière : voilà la cause profonde de tout son rayonnement.
Don Bosco écrit : parmi les grâces dont Dieu enrichit l'âme de Dominique, on peut mettre en première ligne sa ferveur dans la Prière.
Il était tellement habitué à converser avec Dieu que partout, même au milieu des récréations les plus bruyantes, il recueillait ses pensées en Dieu et élevait son cœur vers Lui.
Pendant les Prières faites en commun, il ressemblait à un ange. Immobile, dans une attitude où tout respirait la piété, sans autre appui que l'agenouilloir, le visage souriant, la tête légèrement penchée et les yeux baissés ; on l'aurait pris pour un autre saint Louis de Gonzague.
Il suffisait de le regarder pour être édifié. Pendant la récréation, il s'adonnait souvent avec ses amis à des lectures pieuses ou bien à réciter quelques prières à l'église en l'honneur de Marie et pour le soulagement des âmes du Purgatoire.
La dévotion de Dominique envers la Mère de Dieu était très grande. Il s'imposait chaque jour quelque mortification en son honneur.
En se rendant en classe, il tenait toujours les yeux baissés, même si des compagnons voulaient attirer son attention sur quelque spectacle attrayant.
Un compagnon lui dit un jour sur un ton fâché : « Que veux-tu donc faire de tes yeux, si tu ne t'en sers pas pour voir et regarder ?
Je veux m'en servir, répondit Dominique, pour contempler la beauté de notre Mère du Ciel, quand j'irai, si j'en suis digne, la voir en Paradis. »
II avait une dévotion toute spéciale au Cœur Immaculé de Marie. Chaque fois qu'il se rendait à l'église, il allait prier devant son autel. Il demandait la grâce de conserver son cœur pur de toute affection déréglée...
« O Marie, disait-il, je veux toujours être votre enfant. Obtenez-moi de mourir plutôt que de commettre un péché contre la vertu de pureté. »
Tous les vendredis pendant la récréation, il allait à l'église avec
quelques-uns de ses compagnons, pour réciter le chapelet des Sept Douleurs de
Marie, ou au moins les litanies de Notre-Dame de Compassion.
Non seulement il avait une dévotion personnelle envers Marie, mais encore il se
réjouissait extrêmement de pouvoir lui faire rendre quelques hommages par
d'autres.
Un samedi, pendant l'hiver, il avait invité un de ses amis à venir avec lui à la chapelle pour réciter les vêpres de la Bienheureuse Vierge Marie.
Ce dernier s'y rendait de mauvaise grâce, alléguant qu'il avait froid aux mains. Dominique ôta ses gants, les donna à son compagnon, et ils se rendirent ainsi à la chapelle.
Une autre fois, il enleva son manteau de dessus ses épaules pour le donner à son compagnon, afin que celui-ci le suivit plus volontiers à l'église.
Qui n'admirerait une piété si généreuse ?
Jamais Dominique ne montrait plus de ferveur envers notre céleste protectrice que durant le mois de mai.
Il s'entendait avec ses amis pour faire chaque jour, en dehors de l'exercice public, l'un ou l'autre acte particulier de dévotion.
Il préparait toute une série d'histoires qu'il racontait pour inspirer à ses condisciples l'amour de Marie.
Il parlait souvent d'elle en récréation et exhortait ses camarades à communier fréquemment durant ce mois.
Il donnait lui-même l'exemple en s'approchant chaque jour de la sainte Table avec un recueillement au-dessus de tout éloge.
Les élèves de son dortoir voulurent élever à leurs frais un petit autel pour la clôture du mois de Marie.
Dominique était tout feu tout flamme pour cette idée. N'ayant pas d'argent, il apporta à ses compagnons un de ses livres de prix :
« Voici mon offrande pour honorer Marie. Voici un livre, je vous le donne, faites-en ce que vous voudrez. »
Cet acte de Dominique piqua d'émulation ses amis qui, eux aussi, offrirent des livres et d'autres objets.
L'autel dressé, les élèves désiraient donner à la Fête l'éclat des grandes Solennités. On poussa activement les préparatifs ; néanmoins on ne put terminer assez tôt et il fallut travailler la nuit. Dominique voulait y consacrer toute la nuit.
Mais, comme il sortait de maladie, ses camarades l'obligèrent à aller prendre
son repos. Il y consentit. « Au moins, dit-il, aussitôt que vous aurez tout
fini, venez me réveiller pour que je puisse, le premier, voir le bel autel que
vous aurez élevé en l'honneur de notre bonne Mère. »
Faits mystérieux
Ce qui constitue la sainteté, ce ne sont pas les faits miraculeux, « mystérieux », comme dit Don Bosco, mais la perfection de la Foi et de l'Amour qui animent toute la vie.
Le Seigneur tient cependant souvent à confirmer la sainteté par des interventions surnaturelles.
Bien étroit d'esprit serait celui qui s'en offusquerait et opposerait une fin de non-recevoir à de tels faits dûment établis.
Le plus extraordinaire dans la vie de Dominique fut sa fidélité parfaite à son devoir, jusque dans les plus petits détails, sa foi vive, son espérance si ferme, son amour brûlant. Mais il y eut aussi des grâces spéciales, des faits mystérieux dont saint Jean Bosco atteste l'historicité, les ayant vus de ses yeux.
Plus d'une fois quand Dominique était à l'église, surtout après la Communion, ou que le Saint-Sacrement était exposé, il lui arriva d'être ravi en extase.
Privé de l'usage de ses sens, il restait là indéfiniment, il fallait l'appeler pour le faire revenir à lui.
Un jour, il manqua le déjeuner, la classe et même le dîner. On le chercha vainement à l'étude, au dortoir. Don Bosco, mis au courant, soupçonna qu'il pouvait être à l'église. Il l'y trouva immobile comme une statue de pierre.
Dominique se tenait debout, un pied plus haut que l'autre, une main appuyée sur le pupitre de l'antiphonaire et l'autre sur la poitrine, le regard fixé vers le tabernacle. Il ne remuait même pas les paupières. Don Bosco l'appela en vain. Il le secoua ; alors, il porta un regard étonné autour de lui.
« Comment ? dit-il, la messe est déjà finie ! » II était deux heures. Dominique
demanda humblement pardon d'avoir manqué au règlement et Don Bosco l'envoya
dîner en lui disant: « Si on te demande d'où tu viens, réponds que tu as fait
ce que je t'ai commandé. »
Un autre jour, après son action de grâces, Don Bosco allait sortir de la
sacristie quand il entendit au chœur le bruit d'une conversation.
Il y trouva Dominique qui parlait et s'arrêtait comme pour écouter une réponse. Entre autres choses, il entendit clairement les paroles suivantes : « Oui, mon Dieu, je vous l'ai déjà dit, et je vous le répète, je vous aime et je veux vous aimer jusqu'à la fin de ma vie. Si vous prévoyez que je doive vous offenser, faites-moi mourir. Plutôt la mort que le péché !
Je lui demandais parfois ce qu'il faisait pour être ainsi en retard ; il
répondait en toute simplicité : « Hélas, il me survient une distraction et, à
ces moments, je perds le fil de mes prières et il me semble que je vois des
choses si belles que les heures s'enfuient comme un instant. »
Un jour, il vint dans ma chambre et me dit :
« Venez vite avec moi, il y a une bonne œuvre à faire. »
Comme j'avais déjà expérimenté le bien-fondé de pareilles invitations, je me décidai à le suivre.
Nous parcourûmes plusieurs rues. Puis, il s'arrêta à une porte, monta un escalier et s'arrêta au troisième étage où il sonna vigoureusement : « C'est ici, me dit-il, entrez » ; et il s'en retourna à l'Oratoire.
On m'ouvrit : « Oh ! Venez vite, me dit on, venez vite, autrement il sera trop tard. Mon mari a eu le malheur de se faire protestant ; il est en danger de mort et demande la grâce de pouvoir mourir en bon catholique. »
Le malade se confessa et mourut tandis que le Prêtre lui administrait le Sacrement des malades.
Un jour, je voulus demander à Dominique Savio comment il avait pu savoir qu'il y avait là un malade.
Il me regarda d'un air triste et suppliant, puis se mit à pleurer. J'évitai dès lors toute demande à ce sujet.
L’innocence de vie de Dominique, son amour de Dieu, ses désirs des biens Célestes avaient amené son âme à un état de recueillement habituel en Dieu.
Parfois, durant la récréation, il cessait tout à coup de jouer, s'éloignait de ses compagnons et se promenait seul.
Interrogé sur les motifs d'une telle façon d’agir, il répondait: «Mes distractions habituelles m’assaillent ; il me semble que le Ciel s'ouvre sur ma tête, et je dois quitter mes camarades de peur de dire des choses que peut-être ils tourneraient en dérision. »
Un jour que l'on parlait en récréation des âmes innocentes et pures qui « seront dans le Ciel plus rapprochées de notre Divin Sauveur et lui chanteront des cantiques spéciaux de Gloire durant l'éternité », Dominique entra en extase. Il tomba comme mort dans les bras des personnes présentes.
Ces ravissements d'esprit lui arrivaient en étude, en allant en classe, au
retour et même durant la classe.
Il parlait très volontiers du Souverain Pontife et manifestait le désir de le
voir avant de mourir, disant qu’il avait des choses de grande importance à lui
communiquer.
Il dit à Don Bosco : « Je voudrais dire au Pape qu'au milieu des tribulations qui l'attendent, il ne cesse pas de s'occuper tout particulièrement de 1’Angleterre, car Dieu prépare dans ce royaume un grand triomphe pour l'Église...
Je vous confie un secret. Un jour, après ma Communion, je vis une vaste plaine toute couverte de ténèbres. Elle était remplie de gens marchant à tâtons comme des voyageurs égarés. Ce pays, me dit un personnage qui se tenait près de moi, c'est l'Angleterre. »
Je vis alors le pape Pie IX, majestueusement vêtu. Il tenait à la main une torche lumineuse et marchait au milieu de cette plaine obscure.
A mesure qu'il s'avançait, les ténèbres disparaissaient et la plaine s'éclaira comme en plein jour.
« Cette torche lumineuse, me dit le même personnage, est le symbole de la Foi Catholique qui doit illuminer les Anglais. »
Lorsqu'on 1858, Don Bosco raconta ce fait au Pape, celui-ci répondit : « Cela me confirme dans la résolution que j'ai prise de travailler beaucoup pour l'Angleterre qui a déjà toute ma sollicitude. » (Au début du XIXe siècle, l'Angleterre ne comptait plus que quelque 160.000 Catholiques. Ils sont passés depuis lors à plusieurs millions.)
Don Bosco conclut : je passe sous silence beaucoup d'autres faits de ce genre concernant Savio.
Je les ai recueillis, mais je laisse à d'autres le soin de les publier quand on
le jugera utile pour la plus grande Gloire de Dieu.
Dominique revient
Un mois après sa mort, Dominique Savio apparaît à son père. Celui-ci ne peut en croire ses yeux : « Je rêve sans doute ». Dominique, le visage inondé de joie, lui répond : « Non, tu ne rêves pas : c'est bien moi, Dominique. »
- Dominique. Où es-tu ? Es-tu déjà au Paradis ?
- Oui, père, je suis au ciel ; je suis au comble de la joie. On ne pourrait rien ajouter à mon bonheur.
- Oh alors, prie pour nous tous pour que nous y soyons tous réunis un jour.
- Je prierai.
Et il disparaît.
La nuit du 6 décembre 1876, Dominique visita en songe Don Bosco (ce ne fut pas
la seule fois).
Les « songes » de Don Bosco sont célèbres. Il en eut par centaines. On peut les considérer comme de véritables visions, que le Ciel lui envoyait pendant son sommeil.
Elles lui apportèrent toute sa vie de précieuses leçons concernant la manière de diriger enfants et jeunes gens.
Souvent, elles lui traçaient son chemin, lui apportaient des assurances réconfortantes ou encore des annonces prophétiques : tout se réalisa toujours à la lettre. C'est sur l'ordre formel du Pape Pie IX que Don Bosco en écrivit lui-même un certain nombre.
Nous résumons ici le récit de Don Bosco concernant le songe du 6 Décembre 1876,
tout en laissant tout de même la parole à Don Bosco lui-même.
« Il me semblait être sur une petite hauteur, à proximité d'une immense
plaine vaste comme l'océan. Cette plaine était bleue comme une mer parfaitement
calme. Elle était divisée par de larges et gigantesques boulevards en vastes
jardins où l'on voyait des parterres de fleurs aux couleurs variées et des
bosquets de toutes sortes. Tout cela était d'une beauté ineffable, vraiment
céleste...
Les feuilles des arbres étaient d'or, le tronc et les branches de diamant. Je voyais des palais sans nombre disséminés à travers ces jardins, mais si bien alignés et si beaux que je me disais : « Si nos jeunes gens avaient un seul de ces palais, comme ils seraient heureux de l'habiter ! » Et je pensais à la beauté intérieure de ces palais qui devait être beaucoup plus grande encore. Tandis que j'admirais ces magnificences, j'entendis tout à coup une musique d'une harmonie incomparable.
Il y avait des milliers d'instruments qui, tous, donnaient un son différent l'un de l'autre. Une multitude de personnes se tenaient dans ces jardins.
Les unes jouaient d'un instrument, les autres chantaient ; et l'on entendait simultanément tous les sons de la gamme musicale du plus bas au plus élevé dans un accord parfait.
Ils chantaient : « Salut, honneur, gloire à Dieu le Père tout-puissant. Auteur du monde, qui était, qui est, et qui viendra juger les vivants et les morts dans les siècles des siècles ». J'écoutais extasié, lorsque je vis venir à moi une foule innombrable de jeunes gens, de Prêtres et d'abbés.
J'en reconnus beaucoup qui avaient fréquenté l'Oratoire et d'autres collèges, mais le plus grand nombre m'étaient complètement inconnus.
A leur tête s'avançait Dominique Savio. Je battais des mains pour m'assurer si je rêvais ou si j'étais éveillé.
Cette foule s'arrêta à huit ou dix pas de moi. Alors je vis briller un éclair, la musique cessa, et un grand silence se fit. Tous ces jeunes gens paraissaient remplis d'une joie extrême qui brillait dans leurs yeux et sur leurs visages.
Dominique s'avança seul de quelques pas. J'aurais pu le toucher de la main. Il se taisait et me regardait en souriant.
Qu'il était beau ! Rien de merveilleux comme ses vêtements. Une tunique plus blanche que la neige et toute parsemée de diamants lui descendait jusqu'aux pieds.
Autour des reins une large ceinture rouge ornée de perles ; au cou, un collier de fleurs exotiques brillant d'un éclat merveilleux dont la lumière se reflétait sur son visage frais et vermeil.
Sur la tête une couronne de rosés. Sa chevelure ondoyante descendait sur ses épaules et lui donnait un aspect si beau, si aimable, si attrayant qu'il ressemblait vraiment à un ange.
Ses compagnons, tout resplendissants de lumière, portaient des costumes différents, mais tous superbes ; tous avaient la ceinture de pourpre.
Hors de moi et tremblant, je continuais à regarder, ne sachant pas où je me trouvais. Enfin Dominique rompit le silence : « Eh quoi, me dit-il, n'êtes-vous donc plus cet homme intrépide qui ne craignait ni la calomnie ni la persécution ? Pourquoi me paraissez-vous troublé et ne me parlez-vous pas ?
- Je ne sais vraiment quoi te dire. Tu es donc bien Dominique Savio ? Comment te trouves-tu ici ?
Et Dominique Savio me répondit d'un ton affectueux :
- Je suis venu vous parler. Nous nous sommes parlé tant de fois sur la terre !... Ne vous ai-je pas donné toute ma confiance ? Pourquoi donc avez-vous peur ?
- Je suis tout effrayé, lui dis-je, parce que je ne sais pas où je me trouve.
- Vous êtes dans le séjour de la Béatitude.
- C'est donc ici que Dieu récompense les justes ?
- Ici nous ne goûtons pas les biens éternels mais seulement des biens temporels. Ce n'est pas le Paradis.
Aucun œil mortel ne peut voir l'éternelle Beauté. Et cette lumière extraordinaire n'est qu'une lumière naturelle multipliée par la puissance de Dieu... Le moindre rayon de lumière surnaturelle suffirait pour faire mourir un homme à l'instant.
- Et ne pourrait-on pas voir une lumière naturelle encore plus belle que
celle-ci ?
- Si, évidemment. Regardez ».
Alors apparut subitement dans le lointain un petit rayon de lumière tellement vive que je fermai les yeux et lançai un grand cri.
Cette lumière était cent millions de fois plus éclatante que celle du soleil et son éclat suffisait pour éclairer tout l'univers.
Après quelques instants, je rouvris les yeux et je dis à Savio : « Qu'est-ce que cette lumière ? N'est-ce pas la lumière Divine ?
- Non, c'est une lumière naturelle multipliée par la puissance de Dieu, mais, quand bien même un cercle immense de cette lumière envelopperait le monde, elle ne donnerait pas encore une idée de la splendeur du Paradis.
- Mais quel est donc votre Bonheur en Paradis ?
- Vous le dire est impossible. Il faut avoir quitté la vie pour le savoir. Nous jouissons de Dieu, c'est tout dire ».
Alors, pleinement revenu à moi-même, je contemplai avec admiration la beauté de Dominique Savio et de ses compagnons.
Je lui dis : « Pourquoi as-tu une robe si blanche et si brillante ? »
Le chœur répondit, accompagné de tous les instruments : « Ils ceignirent leurs reins et blanchirent leur robe dans le Sang de l'Agneau ».
« Pourquoi portes-tu autour des reins cette ceinture de pourpre ? »
Don Alassonati, Prêtre ayant secondé Don Bosco, se mit à chanter : « Ils sont vierges et accompagnent l'Agneau partout où il va »
Je compris que cette ceinture était le symbole des sacrifices que Dominique avait faits pour garder la chasteté, sacrifices si grands qu'on peut les comparer au martyre.
Cependant, voyant la foule de jeunes gens derrière Dominique : « Et ceux-ci, demandai-je, qui sont-ils ? »
Ils se mirent tous à chanter : « Ils sont comme les anges de Dieu dans le Ciel ». Or, Savio avait évidemment la prééminence sur tous les autres.
Je lui dis : « Comment se fait-il que toi, le plus jeune de ceux qui moururent dans nos maisons, tu es le premier ? Pourquoi parles-tu tandis qu'ils se taisent ?
- C'est que je suis le plus âgé de tous ceux-ci… Et puis, je m'acquitte d'une ambassade de la part de Dieu ».
- Eh bien ! Dis-je résolument, parle-moi du passé, du présent et de l'avenir de notre Oratoire. Dis-moi quelque chose de mes chers fils, parle-moi de la Congrégation Salésienne.
- Sur tous ces points j'aurais beaucoup de choses à vous révéler.
- Dis-moi donc ce que tu sais : parle-moi du passé.
- Dans le passé, la Congrégation a fait beaucoup de bien. Voyez-vous cette foule innombrable de jeunes gens ?...
Regardez l'inscription qui se trouve sur la porte de ce jardin : « Jardin
Salésien ». Eh bien ! Ceux que vous voyez là sont tous Salésiens ou sauvés
grâce aux Salésiens. Comptez-les si vous pouvez. Or, il y en aurait cent
millions de fois plus si vous aviez eu plus de Foi et de confiance dans Le
Seigneur ». Je soupirai profondément en entendant ce reproche, et je me promis
d'avoir plus de Foi à l'avenir.
- «Et le présent » demandai-je.
Savio me montra alors un magnifique bouquet qu'il tenait à la main. Il était fait de violettes, de roses, de tournesols, de gentianes, de lis et d'immortelles avec, ça et là, quelques épis de blé.
Il me le présenta en disant : « Ce bouquet, présentez-le à vos fils; faites en sorte que tous l'aient et que personne ne le leur enlève. Il fera leur bonheur... Ces fleurs symbolisent les vertus qui plaisent le plus au Seigneur.
- Et quelles sont ces vertus ?
- La rose est le symbole de la charité, la violette de l'humilité, le tournesol de l'obéissance, la gentiane de la pénitence et de la mortification, les épis de blé, de la Communion fréquente et les lis, de cette belle vertu dont il est écrit : « Ils seront comme les anges de Dieu dans le Ciel » ; enfin l'immortelle signifie que ces vertus doivent durer toujours, elle est le symbole de la persévérance.
- Eh bien ! Mon cher Dominique, toi qui as pratiqué toutes ces vertus, dis-moi ce qui t'a le plus consolé à l'heure de la mort ?
- Et vous, qu'en pensez-vous ? me dit Savio.
- C'est peut-être d'avoir conservé sans tache la vertu de pureté..., ou la paix d'une bonne conscience..., ou l'espérance du Paradis... ou le trésor de tes bonnes œuvres ?
- Non, non. Il y a mieux... Ce fut l'assistance de l'aimable et puissante Mère
de Dieu. Et cela, dites-le à vos fils, afin qu'ils ne cessent de la prier jusqu'à
la fin de leur vie ».
- «Parlons donc de l'avenir.
- L'année prochaine (1877), vous éprouverez une grande douleur. Six de vos plus
chers fils seront appelés par Dieu dans l'éternité. Mais Dieu vous aidera et
vous enverra d'autres fils également vertueux.
- Et pour ce qui regarde la Congrégation ?
- L'année prochaine lui réserve une aurore si brillante, qu'elle illuminera comme un soleil les quatre coins du globe.
Si vos Prêtres se montrent dignes de leur haute mission, l'avenir sera
magnifique et apportera le Salut à un grand nombre d'âmes, à condition
cependant que vos fils soient fidèles à la dévotion à Marie et qu'ils gardent
la chasteté, cette vertu si belle aux yeux de Dieu.
- Voudrais-tu me dire maintenant quelque chose de l'Église, de Pie IX ?
- Pie IX n'a plus désormais que quelques batailles à soutenir et il sera couronné. Quant à l'Église, elle est inébranlable.
- Et pour ce qui me concerne ?
- Oh ! Si vous saviez quelles luttes vous avez encore à soutenir ! Mais hâtez-vous, car je n'ai plus guère de temps à vous consacrer ».
Alors j'étendis le bras pour saisir ce cher fils mais, comme si ses mains
eussent été d'air, je ne saisis rien.
Dominique expliqua : « Par la volonté Divine, l'âme, séparée du corps, en
conserve les apparences quoiqu'elle ne lui soit plus unie. Voilà pourquoi il
vous semble que j'ai des mains et une tête, mais vous ne pouvez me saisir parce
que je suis un pur esprit. C'est cette forme extérieure qui me fait
reconnaître.
- Encore une question. Mes jeunes gens sont-ils dans la voie du Salut ?
- On peut les distribuer en trois classes. Voyez-vous ces trois billets ?... Regardez ».
J'ouvris le premier billet et je vis écrit « invulnerati » (sans blessure). Il contenait le nom de ceux qui avaient conservé sans tache leur innocence.
Ils étaient nombreux et je les vis tous. J'en connaissais un grand nombre. Ils marchaient le corps droit malgré les flèches lancées contre eux.
Dominique me donna le second billet sur lequel je lus le mot « vulnerati » (blessés). Il contenait les noms de ceux qui avaient perdu la grâce de Dieu, mais qui avaient été guéris par le repentir et la Confession.
Ils étaient plus nombreux que les précédents. Je lus le billet et je vis tous ces jeunes gens. Savio tenait encore le troisième billet ; on y lisait « lassati in via iniquitatis » (ceux qui ont persévéré dans la voie de l'iniquité).
Là devaient figurer les noms de tous ceux qui vivaient dans le péché mortel. J'étais impatient de les connaître.
Mais Savio me dit avec une certaine vivacité : « Attendez un moment. Quand vous ouvrirez ce billet, il en sortira une puanteur que vous ne pourrez supporter. Les anges et l'Esprit-Saint lui-même sentent la puanteur du péché et l'ont en horreur ».
Il me donna le troisième billet et me dit : « Prenez-le et sachez en profiter pour vos jeunes gens ; mais n'oubliez pas le bouquet que je vous ai montré. Ayez soin que tous l'aient et le conservent ».
J'ouvris le billet. Il ne portait aucun nom, mais à l'instant je vis tous ceux qui s'y trouvaient comme s'ils eussent été présents sous mes yeux.
Je les vis avec une grande amertume de cœur, car j'en reconnus la plus grande partie. J'en vis beaucoup qui passaient pour bons ou étaient même considérés comme des meilleurs.
A peine eu-je ouvert le billet qu'il s'en exhala une puanteur tellement insupportable que je crus en mourir.
L'air s'obscurcit et la merveilleuse vision disparut. J'entendis un grand coup de tonnerre et je m'éveillai rempli d'épouvante.
Cette puanteur pénétra jusqu'aux murailles et s'attacha si bien à mes vêtements que, longtemps après, je croyais encore la sentir. Même aujourd'hui, rien qu'en y pensant, j'ai des nausées et j'éprouve une envie de vomir.
Dans mes entretiens avec beaucoup d'intéressés, j'ai constaté que les
indications du songe étaient tout à fait exactes.
Quatre miracles de
Dominique
Pour sa Béatification, il
guérit deux enfants
Le 22 mars 1927, Au village de Siano, près de Naples, le Albano Sabatino, âgé de sept ans est mourant.
Le médecin diagnostique une septicémie avec début de méningite (septicémie, bronchopneumonie, néphrite aiguë, hémorragie, méningite) . Après son départ, une relique de Dominique est placée sous l’oreiller du jeune garçon.
Aussitôt, Albano se calme et semble plongé dans un profond sommeil. Il se réveille dans la matinée en pleine connaissance et demande ses jouets.
Le médecin constate la stupéfiante nouvelle. Enquête et radios aboutissent au
même résultat : Albano est guéri.
En 1935, à Barcelone, une fille du Patronage des Filles de Marie-Auxiliatrice, Maria Consuelo Adelantado, âgée de 16 ans, fit une chute malencontreuse : double fracture du coude gauche avec dislocation des fragments osseux.
Dans un songe, le Cardinal Cagliero l'invite à faire avec Foi une neuvaine à
Dominique Savio et lui promet par ce moyen sa guérison pour un jour tout
proche. Elle fit la neuvaine et le jour indiqué, elle était guérie.
Pour sa Canonisation, il
guérit deux mamans
Maria Parcelli, mère de six enfants consulte un médecin et un chirurgien le 23 Mars 1950. Troubles cardiaques avec hémorragie interne déclarent les docteurs. Une intervention chirurgicale s’impose.
La famille jugeant le cas désespéré s’y oppose et appelle un Prêtre. Le médecin
traitant, qui a lu la veille une Vie de Dominique, propose aux assistants de
lui demander un miracle pour que les six enfants gardent leur mère. Le
lendemain, la malade est guérie. Une visite à l’hôpital confirme le prodige.
Dans le sud de l’Italie, à Lecce, en 1950, Antoinette Nicelli, a des douleurs à la mâchoire supérieure. Un traitement à la pénicilline la calme momentanément mais le mal reparaît sous forme de sinusite aiguë. Tous les traitements sont inefficaces.
Le 8 Mars 1950, le mari de la malade lui apporte un journal illustré. Antoinette l’ouvre et voit une image de Dominique dont la Fête est le lendemain.
Elle lui demande aussitôt de ne pas faire de ses quatre enfants des orphelins.
Le lendemain, elle est guérie.
formerly 6 May
formerly 10 March
Profile
One of ten children of
a blacksmith and seamstress.
Protege of Saint John
Bosco. Altar
boy at age 5. At 12 he entered the Oratory School preparatory to
becoming a priest.
Well-liked and pious, his health forced
him to give up his dream of the priesthood.
He died at
age 15; his dying words:
“What beautiful things I see!”
His birthplace is now a
retreat house for teenagers;
the home where he grew up in Morialdo is now a retreat house for children.
The final house in which he lived is the home in Mondonio where the Savio
family moved when he was 10, and where he eventually died.
Here you can see his father‘s metal shop,
and his mother‘s tailoring shop.
His tomb is in the basilica of Mary, Help
of Christians in Turin,
not far from the tomb of his mentor, teacher and
biographer, Saint John
Bosco.
Born
2 April 1842 at
Riva di Chieri, Turin, Italy
9 March 1857 at
Mondonio, Italy of
natural causes
5 March 1950 by Venerable Pope Pius
XII
12 June 1954 by Venerable Pope Pius
XII
Name
Meaning
belonging to God (=
Dominic) wise; learned (= Savio)
choir
boys (given on 8 June 1956 by Pope Pius XII)
Pueri
Cantors (given on 8 June 1956 by Pope Pius XII)
Colegio
Santo Domingo, Bogotá, Colombia (chosen
in January 1977)
Additional
Information
Saint
Dominic Savio, by J J Ryan, SDB
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
The
Holiness of the Church in the 19th Century
The Life of Dominic
Savio, by Saint John
Bosco
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other
sites in english
1001 Patron Saints and Their Feast Days, Australian
Catholic Truth Society
images
video
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
sites
en français
fonti
in italiano
Dicastero delle Cause dei Santi
websites
in nederlandse
nettsteder
i norsk
strony
w jezyku polskim
Conference of the Polish Episcopate
spletne
strani v slovenšcini
Readings
Death, but not
sin. – Saint Dominic
Savio
Nothing seems tiresome or
painful when you are working for a Master who pays well; who rewards even a cup
of cold water given for love of Him. – Saint Dominic
Savio
I am not capable of doing
big things, but I want to do everything, even the smallest things, for the
greater glory of God. – Saint Dominic
Savio
MLA
Citation
“Saint Dominic
Savio“. CatholicSaints.Info. 5 May 2024. Web. 6 December 2024.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dominic-savio/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dominic-savio/
St. Dominic Savio
Feastday: May 6
Patron: of choirboys, the falsely accused, and juvenile delinquents
Birth: April 2, 1842
Death: March 9, 1857
Beatified: March 5, 1950 by Pope Pius XII
Canonized: June 12, 1954 by Pope Pius XII
Dominic Savio was born on
April 2, 1842 in the village of Riva in northern Italy. His father was a
blacksmith and his mother a seamstress. He had nine brothers and sisters. His
family was poor but hardworking. They were devout and pious Catholics.
When he was just two
years old, Dominic's family returned to their native village of Castlenuovo
d'Asti, (Today, Castlenuovo Don Bosco) near the birthplace of John Bosco. Bosco
would himself later be canonized as a Saint by the Church and became a major
influence on the life of Dominic.
As a small child, Dominic
loved the Lord and His Church. He was very devout in practicing his Catholic
faith. For example, he said grace before every meal and refused to eat with
those who did not. He was always quick to encourage others to pray.
Dominic attended Church
regularly with his mother and was often seen kneeling before the Tabernacle in
prayer. He even prayed outside the Church building. It did not matter to
Dominic if the ground was covered with mud or snow, he knelt and prayed anyway.
Dominic was quickly
recognized as an exceptional student who studied hard and performed well in
school. He became an altar server. He also attended daily Mass and went to
confession regularly. He asked to receive his first communion at the age of
seven. This was not the practice in the Church of Italy at the time. Normally,
children received their first holy communion at the age of twelve. Dominic's
priest was so impressed with his intelligence concerning the faith, his love
for the Lord and his piety that he made an exception. Dominic said that the day
of his First Communion was the happiest day of his life.
On the Day he received
his first communion, Dominic wrote four promises in a little book. Those
promises were:
I will go to Confession often,
and as frequently to Holy Communion as my confessor allows.
I wish to sanctify the Sundays and festivals in a special manner.
My friends shall be Jesus and Mary.
Death rather than sin.
The young Dominic
graduated to secondary school and walked three miles to school each day. He
undertook this chore gladly. While walking to school on a hot day a farmer
asked why he wasn't yet tired. Dominic cheerfully replied, "Nothing seems
tiresome or painful when you are working for a master who pays well."
Although he was young,
Dominic was clearly different than his peers. When two boys stuffed a school
heating stove with snow and rubbish. The boys were known troublemakers and were
likely to face expulsion if caught, so they blamed Dominic for the misdeed.
Dominic did not deny the accusation and he was scolded before the class.
However, a day later the teacher learned the truth. He asked Dominic why he did
not defend himself while being scolded for something he did not do. Dominic
mentioned he was imitating Jesus who remained silent when unjustly accused.
Dominic's teacher spoke
well of him and brought him to the attention of Fr. John Bosco, who was
renowned for looking after hundreds of boys, many of them orphaned and poor. In
October 1854, Dominic was personally introduced to Fr. Bosco - along with his
father.
At the meeting, Bosco
wanted to test Dominic's intelligence and understanding of the Catholic faith.
He gave Dominic a copy of The Catholic Readings, which was a pamphlet that
dealt with apologetics. He expected Dominic to provide a report the next day,
but just ten minutes later Dominic recited the text and provided a full
explanation of its significance. This solidified Bosco's high opinion of
Dominic.
Dominic expressed an
interest in becoming a priest and asked to go to Turin to attend the Oratory of
St. Francis de Sales. Fr. Bosco agreed to take him.
At the Oratory, Dominic
studied directly under Fr. Bosco. He worked diligently and always asked
questions when he did not understand something. He renewed his First Communion
promises that he wrote in his little book at the age of seven. After six months
at the Oratory, Dominic delivered a speech on the path to sainthood. In his
speech, he made three outstanding points; it is God's will that we ALL become
saints, it is easy to become a saint, and there are great rewards in heaven for
saints.
Dominic's desire to
become a saint troubled him however. He wondered to himself how someone as
young as he was could become a saint? In his zeal, he tried voluntary
mortification and other voluntary penances, hoping that they would help him to
grow closer to Jesus and help him to be less concerned with his own needs. He
even made his bed uncomfortable and wore thin clothes in winter. When Fr. Bosco
observed these practices, he corrected Dominic. He explained that as a child,
what he should do instead was to devote himself to his studies and to be
cheerful. He discouraged Dominic from any more physical penances. Dominic's
happy demeanor quickly returned.
At the same time Dominic
was developing his reputation as a fantastic student, his health began to fail.
He started to lose his appetite and Fr. Bosco became concerned. Dominic was
taken to the doctor who recommended that he be sent home to his family to
recover. Dominic wanted to stay at the oratory, but Fr. Bosco insisted he go
home. Everybody expected Dominic to recover, except for Dominic himself who
insisted he was dying.
Before he departed,
Dominic made the Exercise of a Happy Death and predicted this would be his
final devotion.
After four days at home,
Dominic's health worsened. The doctor ordered him to bed to rest. He then
performed bloodletting, which was still performed at that time. Over the next
four days, Dominic was bled ten times before the doctor was satisfied he would
recover.
But Dominic was sure of
his impending death. He implored his parents to bring the parish priest so he
could make a last confession. They obliged him and Dominic made a confession
and was given the Anointing of the Sick. He asked his father to read him the
prayers for the Exercise of a Happy Death. Then he fell asleep. Hours later he
awoke and said to his father: "Goodbye, Dad, goodbye ... Oh what wonderful
things I see!" Dominic fell asleep and died within minutes. It was March
9, 1857 and Dominic was merely 14 year of age.
His father wrote to Fr.
Bocso to report the sad news.
Fr. Bosco was powerfully
touched by Dominic and he wrote a biography, "The Life of Dominic
Savio." The biography quickly became popular and would eventually be read
in schools across Italy. As people learned about Dominic, they called for his canonization.
Detractors argued that
Dominic was too young to be canonized and pointed out that he was not a martyr.
However, Pope Pius X disagreed and opened his cause for canonization.
Dominic Savio was
declared venerable in 1933 by Pope Pius XI, beatified in 1950, then canonized
in 1954 by Pope Pius XII.
Saint Dominic is the patron
saint of choirboys, the falsely accused, and juvenile delinquents. His feast
day is May 6, moved from March 9. Many schools and institutions dedicated to
boys are dedicated to him.
SOURCE : https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=43
.jpg)
Ostróda. Kościół św. Dominika Savio
.jpg)
Ostróda. Kościół św. Dominika Savio
.jpg)
Ostróda. Kościół św. Dominika Savio
St. Dominic Savio
Patron of the Falsly
Accused
1842 - 1857
St. Dominic Savio was
born in Italy in 1842. One day when he was just four, he disappeared and his
good mother went looking for him. She found the little fellow in a corner
praying with his hands joined and his head bowed. He already knew all his
prayers by heart! At five, he was an altar boy. When he was seven, he received
his First Holy Communion. On that solemn day, he chose a motto: "Death,
but not sin!" and he kept it always.
"A teenager such as
Dominic, who bravely struggled to keep his innocence from Baptism to the end of
his life, is really a saint," said Pope St. Pius X.
Yes, Dominic was an
ordinary boy with an extraordinary love for God.
At the age of twelve,
Dominic entered the school run by St. John Bosco. Don Bosco examined him first
and at the end of the questions, Dominic asked,
"What do you think
of me?"
"I think you're good
material," answered the priest, with a big smile.
"Well, then,"
said Dominic, "You are a good tailor, so if the material is good, take me
and make a new suit out of me for Our Lord!"
Everyone in the school
saw from the way he prayed that this boy was different. He greatly loved all
the boys, and even though he was younger, he used to worry about them. He was
afraid that they would lose the grace of God by sinning.
One day, a fellow brought
a magazine full of bad pictures to school. In a minute, a group of boys had
gathered around him to see it.
"What's up?"
wondered Dominic, and he, too, went to look. Just one peek was enough for him.
He grabbed the magazine and tore it to pieces! "Poor us!" he cried in
the meantime, "Did God give us eyes to look at such things as this? Aren't
you ashamed?"
"Oh, we were just
looking at these pictures for the fun of it," said one boy.
"Sure, for
fun," answered Dominic, "and in the meantime you're preparing
yourselves to go to hell!"
"Oh, what's so wrong
about looking at these pictures anyway?" another fellow demanded.
Dominic had a ready
answer. "If you don't see anything wrong," he said sadly, "this
is even worse." It means you're used to looking at shameful things!"
No one said anything
after that. They all realized that Dominic was right. Another time he stopped a
terrific stone-throwing fight between two angry boys. Holding up a little
crucifix between them, he said, "Before you fight, look at this and say,
'Jesus Christ was innocent and He died forgiving His murderers. I am a sinner,
and I am going to hurt Him by not forgiving my enemies.' Then you can start -
and throw your first stone at me!"
The two boys were so
ashamed of themselves that they apologized, and promised to go to confession
too.
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.
"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.
Dominic is the 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.
SOURCE : http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=43
Church
in Morzyczyn, West Pomeranian
Voivodeship, Poland
Morzyczyn - rzymskokatolicki kościół filialny p.w. św. Dominika Savio
Kościół filialny św. Dominika Savio w Morzyczynie
Kościół filialny św. Dominika Savio w Morzyczynie
St. Dominic Savio
St. Dominic Savio, the
patron of choirboys, was born into a peasant family at Riva, Italy, young
Dominic joined St. John Bosco as a student at the Oratory in Turin at the age
of 12. He impressed John with his desire to be a priest and to help him in his work
with neglected boys. A peacemaker and an organizer, young Dominic founded a
group he called the Company of the Immaculate Conception which, besides being
devotional, aided John Bosco with the boys and with manual work. All the
members save one, Dominic, would in 1859 join John in the beginnings of his
Salesian congregation. By that time, Dominic had been called home to heaven.
As a youth, Dominic spent
hours rapt in prayer. His raptures he called “my distractions.” Even in play,
he said that at times “It seems heaven is opening just above me. I am afraid I
may say or do something that will make the other boys laugh.” Dominic would
say, “I can’t do big things. But I want all I do, even the smallest thing, to
be for the greater glory of God.”
Dominic’s health, always
frail, led to lung problems and he was sent home to recuperate. As was the
custom of the day, he was bled in the thought that this would help, but it only
worsened his condition. He died on March 9, 1857, after receiving the Last
Sacraments. St. John Bosco himself wrote the account of his life.
Some thought that Dominic was too young to be considered a saint. St. Pius X declared that just the opposite was true, and went ahead with his cause. Dominic was canonized in 1954.
SOURCE : http://www.ucatholic.com/saints/saint-dominic-savio/
Dominic Savio (RM)
Born in Riva, Piedmont,
Italy, in 1842; died at Mondonio, Italy, on March 9, 1857; beatified in 1950;
canonized in 1954.
Dominic was one of ten
children of a peasant blacksmith and a seamstress. He grew up with a desire to
be a priest. When Saint John Bosco began to train youths as clergy to help him
care for neglected boys at Turin, Dominic's parish priest recommended today's
saint. Bosco, who would write Dominic's biography, was impressed upon meeting
him.
In October 1854, at the
age of twelve, Dominic became a student at the Oratory of Saint Francis de
Sales in Turin. He is best known for the group he organized there, called the
Company of the Immaculate Conception. In addition to its devotional measures,
it handled various jobs, from sweeping the floors to taking special care of
boys who were misfits.
Early in his stay at the
oratory, Dominic halted a fight with stones between two boys. Holding a
crucifix between them he said, "Before you fight, look at this, both of
you, and say 'Jesus Christ was sinless, and He died forgiving His executioners;
I am going to outrage Him by being deliberately revengeful.' Then you can
start- -and throw your first stone at me."
He scrupulously followed
the discipline of the house, incurring resentment from some other boys from
whom he expected the same behavior. Nevertheless, he never repaid ill-treatment
in kind. Bosco's guidance probably curbed Dominic from becoming a young
fanatic. He forbade Dominic to perform bodily mortification without his
permission, believing that with ". . . heat, cold, sickness (and) the
tiresome ways of other people--there is quite enough mortification for boys in
school life itself."
He found Dominic
shivering in bed one cold night with only a thin sheet. "Don't be crazy.
You'll get pneumonia," he said. "Why should I?" replied Dominic.
"Our Lord didn't get pneumonia in the stable at Bethlehem."
On one occasion when
Dominic was missing from morning until after dinner, Bosco found him in the
choir of the church, standing in a cramped position by the lectern, deep in
prayer. He had been there for six hours, yet he thought that early Mass was not
yet over. Dominic referred to these times of intense prayer as "my
distractions."
Bosco reports that in one
strong 'distraction,' Dominic saw a wide, mist-shrouded plain, with a multitude
of people groping about in it. To them came a pontifically vested figure
carrying a torch that lighted up the whole scene, and a voice seemed to say,
"This torch is the Catholic faith which shall bring light to the English
people."
Bosco reported this to
Pope Pius IX at Dominic's request, and the pope said that it confirmed his
intention to give attention to England. (You may recall that England became a
primary preoccupation of Don Bosco's later life.) Some say this was the impetus
for Pope Pius IX to restore a hierarchy to England in 1850.
Dominic became known for
his cheerfulness, friendliness, careful observation, and good advice. Though
only a boy, he was blessed with spiritual gifts far beyond his age--knowledge
of people in need, knowledge of the spiritual needs of those around him, and
the ability to prophesy. Dominic's fragile health worsened, and in 1857, he was
sent home to Mondonio for a change of air. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis,
and was bled, which probably hastened his death.
He received the last
sacraments and asked his father to read the prayers for Dominic Savio is
the patron saint of Pueri Cantors, choirs, choirboys, boys, and juvenile
delinquents (White).
SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0309.shtml
St. Dominic Savio
(1842-1857)
It is no surprise that
teenagers have been canonized as martyrs. There have been many teenaged martyrs
like fifteen year old Ponticus of Lyons (177 AD); sixteen year old Dojuko of
Osaka, Japan (1597 AD); thirteen year old Kizito of Uganda (1886 AD). But a
teenager canonized for heroic virtue rather than martyrdom, that’s another
matter.
St. Dominic Savio is a
modern youth who qualified.
Dominic was born near
Turin, Italy in 1842, one of the ten children of a blacksmith. In the 1850s,
St. John Bosco was beginning to establish in Turin his apostolate to homeless
and neglected boys. Dominic’s pastor suggested to Don Bosco that Dominic might be
a good aide. Bosco was, indeed, impressed when he met young Savio; so Dominic
became in 1854 one of the first students in St. John’s new Oratory of St.
Francis de Sales.
Though only twelve,
Dominic already showed great personal and spiritual promise. He also
demonstrated a fine spirit of leadership. In fact, he established among the
“ragamuffin” students at the Oratory a group called the Company of the
Immaculate Conception. In addition to having certain common spiritual projects,
this group helped with the chores and assisted the priest in dealing with
problem students. Interestingly enough, all the boys who belonged to Dominic’s
“Company” joined the Salesian Fathers when Don Bosco founded that religious
order in 1859.
Young Dominic, we say,
had genuine gifts of leadership. He was active in the sports that were a part
of Don Bosco’s educational regime. He had a cheerful, laughing disposition, and
was a good storyteller, which especially pleased the younger boys. But he was
also able to put a spiritual twist into his influence over the students.
One day two boys got into
a bitter fight, and were at the point of throwing stones at each other. Dominic
broke in between them and held up a little crucifix. “Before you fight,” he
said, “look at this, both of you, and say, `Jesus Christ was sinless, and He
died forgiving His executioners; I am a sinner, and I am going to outrage Him
by purposely seeking revenge?’ Then you can start your fight – and throw your
first stone at me!” It was a quick warning, and it worked. The fighters decided
to make peace.
A bright boy like Dominic
could have become stuck-up. That he did not is a tribute to St. John Bosco, who
guided him well towards genuine holiness. He developed the art of self-denial,
and God even granted him deep gifts of prayer. His whole program (one perfectly
apt to a person of his age and situation) was to do as well as possible
whatever he was called upon to do. “I can’t do big things,” he said, “but I
want all I do, even the smallest thing, to be for the greater glory of God.”
If Dominic did not
himself enter the Salesians in 1859, it was because God took him in 1857. The
cause of his death was apparently tuberculosis. In his last hours of suffering,
he was confused and delirious. Then suddenly he came to. He smiled and said, “I
am seeing the most wonderful things!” Those were his last words. Pope Pius XII
proclaimed him a saint in 1954.
Teenagers can be heroes.
They have the idealism and good will. It’s up to us to give them the challenge.
–Father Robert F. McNamara
The
Holiness of the Church in the Nineteenth Century – Dominic Savio
The college boy of
fifteen, Dominic Savio, attracts us with the charm of youth. In 1911 the
Eucharistic Congress of Madrid sent a telegram to Pius X, begging him to hasten
the beatification of Dominic Savio, who, because of receiving his First Holy
Communion at the age of seven and his extraordinary devotion to the Most
Blessed Sacrament, merited recommendation as a pattern for children and was
deemed worthy of the title – “Child of the Holy Eucharist.”
The life of this angelic
boy proves how wisely Pius X acted in strengthening children early and often
with the Bread of Life. His admirable teacher, Don Bosco, has himself written
the wonderful life of Dominic. He was born on 2 April 1842, at Riva, near
Turin, the son of a blacksmith, and was early introduced to all practices of
piety by his parents. The seductive power of evil had no influence on him. On
the contrary, he energetically repulsed others who gave him bad example. We can
not but marvel at his precocious intelligence of heavenly things, an intelligence
matured by divine grace. “He is indeed a boy of whom much may be expected,”
writes his spiritual guide. “May God open to him a career in which so precious
a fruit may ripen.” When the boy of seven was told that he was to receive Holy
Communion the joy of his heart knew no bounds. From that time he was almost
continually in the church to prepare himself worthily for the great day
approaching. The seriousness of purpose which he showed on this occasion
remained his guiding star during all his life. It was clear that so promising a
boy must study and, seeing that his parents were wanting in the necessary
means, the priest of the place enabled Dominic to attend an academy in the
neighborhood of his native town. At twelve he went to the Oratory of the Venerable
Don Bosco in the district of Valdocco, and from this institution he was sent to
the college in Turin.
Don Bosco and Dominic
Savio soon understood one another. A divinely inspired teacher and a pupil with
an unspoiled and generous heart had met. Dominic soon laid hold of two ideas
with all the fervor of his ardent soul, he would become a saint and, if
possible, save his soul. With tenacious energy he strove for complete
self-mastery. Like all saints he gave himself to works of supererogation in
prayer and penance. Don Bosco had to curb his zeal. Among his companions in the
Oratory and in the college the boy worked like a true apostle. He strove
especially to foster among his associates devotion to the Immaculate Conception
and the reception of the Sacraments. Such zealous persons are as a rule not
liked by the young. But it was not so with Dominic. Not at all obtrusive, no
disturber of youthful gaiety, he was a genuine boy, alive with a boy’s nature.
He did even more by example than by words, which showed to all how earnestly he
was trying to be a saint. His youth was not without its difficulties, but they
served only to strengthen the more his steadiness of character.
Dominic had reached the
sixth class in the college when he was stricken with a disease of the lungs.
Don Bosco, filled with anxiety, hoped that a change of air might bring relief,
and sent the boy to his parents at Mondonio, where they were then living. But
what Dominic had long confidently foretold now came to pass. On the evening of
9 March 1857, he died in the arms of his sorrowing father. The news of his
death at first brought grief and mourning to his relatives, friends and
teachers, but this soon gave way to joyful conviction that a new intercessor
for them stood before the divine throne. Men soon began to ask favors from
Dominic and their prayers were not in vain.
Many cardinals and
bishops expressed their desire that Dominic Savio be soon raised to the honors
of the altar, that he may serve as a pattern and protector for the precarious
age of boyhood. But he will also spur on the old to endeavor for virtue. “We
old people,” writes Cardinal Agliardi, “feel ourselves humbled before such
virtue in a fifteen-year-old boy. But he who is yet in the bloom of youth will
under the attraction of so great a fragrance of innocence follow likewise in
the footsteps of his piety.”
MLA
Citation
Father Constantine Kempf,
SJ. “Dominic Savio”. The Holiness of the Church in
the Nineteenth Century: Saintly Men and Women of Our Own Times, 1916. CatholicSaints.Info.
28 April 2022. Web. 6 December 2024.
<https://catholicsaints.info/the-holiness-of-the-church-in-the-nineteenth-century-dominic-savio/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/the-holiness-of-the-church-in-the-nineteenth-century-dominic-savio/
.JPG)
The
front cover of the book The Life of Dominic Savio by John Bosco.
The Life Story of St.
Dominic Savio
Saint Dominic Savio is a
wonderful hero for young people today. This teenage saint's way to
holiness was to live the spirituality that was shared with him by St. John
Bosco and his Salesians, basically a life lived simply by doing the everyday
duties of life in an extra ordinary way. It is a youth spirituality that
can be lived by people of all ages. The Salesian Spirituality responds to
the Gospel imperative given by Jesus to his disciples and to all who follow
Him, "Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let the children come to me; do not
prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I
say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not
enter it.’ Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on
them." (Mark 10: 14-16)
Childhood
On a beautiful spring
day, April 2, 1842, in the village of Riva, two miles from the town of Chieri,
in the province of Piedmont, northern Italy, Dominic Savio was born. He was the
second of eleven children born to Charles and Brigid Savio, who were poor, hard-working,
pious people. Charles was a blacksmith. Dominic was a remarkable boy.
What we know of him comes from a biography written by St. John Bosco and the
testimony of family and friends. He attended the Oratory of St. Francis De
Sales a school, youth center and hospice founded by Don Bosco.
School Days
Dominic was very bright
and enjoyed school as well as play. He was well liked and respected by his
friends. Dominic had remarkable control over his emotions, and while he could
get angry like any of his companions, he was able to control himself in most
situations. He was friendly and showed early his leadership qualities and a
strong sense of duty. He was a prayerful person and had an ever-maturing
spirituality.
The Savios attended
church in the town of Murialdo and the pastor, Father John Lucca, knew them
well. He saw Dominic in Church often. Once he learned to serve Mass he was
there every day. While children of the time customarily received their first
Communion in their early teens, Fr. Lucca recognized the boy’s remarkable piety
and let him make his First Communion at the age of seven.
Growing Faith
As the day of his first
Communion drew near, Dominic wrote down four resolutions, remarkably mature
thoughts of a seven year old:
I will go to Confession
and Communion as often as my confessor will allow.
I will sanctify Sundays
and holy days in a special way.
Jesus and Mary will be my
friends.
Death, but not sin.
As we shall see Dominic
lived by these resolutions.
Imagine a boy of ten
trudging a total of twelve miles to and from school every day for a whole
school year. That's what Dominic Savio did, because the school he attended was
three miles away from home, and he had to go and come twice a day. On one very
hot day an elderly man met him and asked, "Aren't you afraid to walk so
far alone on this country road?"
"I'm not
alone," replied Dominic. "I have my guardian angel with me. "
"But surely you find
the journey long and tiresome in this very hot weather!"
"I work for a Master
who pays well."
"And who is your
master?"
"God is my
master."
While full of energy and
ready to join in any game with his friends, Dominic’s health was weak. The long
walk every day took its toll. The next year his parents decided to move from
Murialdo to another village called Mondonio to be closer to school.
Growing Love
It was at this school
that an incident occurred which shows the depth of Dominic’s kindness and
thoughtfulness. Once a classmate committed a serious offense. This boy had a
reputation for misbehavior. The culprit falsely accused Dominic of the offence.
The teacher scolded the class, and threatened Dominic was expulsion, but
because Dominic had never misbehaved before, he gave Dominic severe scolding
before the whole class. Dominic made no reply but stood in silence head bowed.
A few days later the boy who was actually guilty was discovered. Regretting his
previous harsh words, the teacher asked Dominic why he had not defended
himself.
His answer came slowly
but simply: "I knew that the other boy was in trouble for other things. I
remembered how Our Lord had been unjustly accused, and I hoped that if I kept
silence he would be given another chance."
This incident took place
when Dominic was only eleven years old. It shows the depth and simplicity of
this young soul.
Meeting A Guide
For several years Don
Bosco would take some of the young people of the Oratory on an outing during
the customary October break. This noisy procession of students would walk from
the Oratory in Turin some 18 miles to Becchi where Don Bosco grew up and where
his brother, Joseph, still worked the family farm. Don Bosco would arrange for
food and lodging with the pastors of the parishes on the way. In return the
young people would put on an entertainment for the people of the towns they
visited.
Early on the morning of
the first Monday of October' in 1854, Dominic and his father went looking for
Don Bosco, who was going to be in the town of Murialdo on the outing. Dominic
greeted Don Bosco with a bright smile, "Good morning, Father."
"Good morning, and
what is your name?" asked Don Bosco. "Where are you from?"
"I'm Dominic Savio.
I come from Mondonio. This is my father, Mr. Charles Savio. Father Cagliero, my
teacher, told me that I should talk to you. Did he tell you about me?"
"Yes he did,
Dominic." Don Bosco asked him about his schoolwork and his life at home.
Without hesitation
Dominic asked, "Father, will you take me to Turin with you to the Oratory
to study?"
"Well, you look like
good material to me!" Don Bosco exclaimed.
"Good material,
Father? Good for what?"
"To make a beautiful
garment for the Lord, son."
"Then take me with
you, Father. You can be the tailor, and I'll be the cloth. Make me into a
beautiful garment for Our Lord."
Knowing a little about
the boy from information given by his Pastor, Fr. Lucca, and his, teacher, Don
Cagliero, Don Bosco explained, "I'm concerned about your health. Do you
think that you will be all right? Life at the Oratory is not the same as at
home?"
"Don't worry about
that, Father. I’ll be O.K." Dominic was very excited about going to Don
Bosco’s famous school.
"What do you want to
do when you finish your studies?" Don Bosco asked.
"If God gives me the
call, I very much want to be a priest."
"Bravo, Dominic! Now
let's see how quick you are at learning. Take this book and see if you can
learn this page by heart. Come back tomorrow when you have it memorized. Go now
and join the other boys in that game. I want to talk to your father."
Don Bosco sent Dominic
off to join the other boys who were playing, and then he turned to have a word
with his father. Mr. Savio assured Don Bosco that his son was a very good boy
and a bright student.
To Don Bosco's surprise,
Dominic returned a few minutes later. Smiling, he said, "I can recite it
now if you want me to, Father! " Don Bosco listened as the boy recited the
assigned page word for word without hesitation or any mistakes. Dominic was
motivated to accomplish the task as soon as he could so that he could join the other
youngsters who were playing near by.
With a little doubt in
his voice Don Bosco asked, "That is very impressive, Dominic, but do you
know the meaning of what you have just recited?"
Eagerly Dominic explained
clearly the meaning of the passage to the delight of both Don Bosco and his
father.
"Very good,"
said Don Bosco. "Your father and I have spoken and he agrees that you may
come to Turin. From now on you are one of the Oratory boys. Let’s pray for each
other."
Overjoyed and grateful
beyond words, Dominic took Don Bosco's hand and said, "Don Bosco, I will
do my best."
Dominic arrived in Turin
at Don Bosco‘s Oratory of St. Francis De Sales in early October 1854. He was
twelve-and-a-half years old.
Dominic paid Don Bosco a
visit in his office a few days after his arrival. Dominic noticed a sign in a
frame hanging over the door.
"What's the meaning
of those words, Father?"
Don Bosco explained,
"That is a motto, Da mihi animas caetera tolle. It is Latin. Do you
understand Latin?"
"No, Father."
"It is a saying of
St. Francis De Sales, our patron. I have taken it as my motto. It is
translated: Give me souls: take away the rest."
Dominic did not fully
understand meaning of the words, but a seed was planted in his heart.
Don Bosco Explained,
"I am very concerned that I work hard to help people and myself save our
souls by following Jesus, nothing else really matters."
Meeting Another Guide
A second event captured
Dominic’s imagination. On December 8, 1854 Pope Pius IX proclaimed the Dogma of
the Immaculate Conception. Don Bosco and his Salesians took great care to
prepare the young people of the Oratory for that special day. The whole
community gathered in the Chapel. In a special prayer service the Salesians and
the young people offered themselves to Mary, the Immaculate Mother of Jesus.
Dominic remembered his first Communion resolutions and renewed them. Death but
not sin… he remembered.
"From that day
onward," wrote Don Bosco, "Dominic made such evident progress in
virtue, that I began to write down everything I noticed about him."
Called to Holiness
A few months later on the
second Sunday of Lent, 1855, Don Bosco was preaching to the boys of the
Oratory. He exclaimed, "Every one is called to be a saint, and do you
know, it is easy to be a saint. Just do this: diligently do the ordinary things
of the day in an extra ordinary way." Dominic was profoundly impressed. He
began to think most seriously about what it meant to be a saint.
He became quiet and
looked worried. Don Bosco stopped him one day and asked him if something was
bothering him, "Dominic, do you feel all right?"
"I am fine, Don
Bosco! I have been thinking about your sermon last Sunday. From now on, I am
going to be very serious about becoming a saint."
"Dominic,"
explained Don Bosco, "say your prayers devoutly. Perform all your duties
exactly, and above all be cheerful. The Lord loves a cheerful giver."
At first Dominic did not
really understand what Don Bosco meant. In his eagerness to become holy,
Dominic began to do what he understood to be penance. He had heard about saints
of the Middle Ages who would go on severe fasts and punish themselves with
painful physical penances. Dominic actually put pieces of wood or small stones
in his bed so that he could "suffer for Christ." When the dormitory
monitor told Don Bosco about this he called Dominic aside.
"The way to be a
saint, Dominic, is to be always cheerful, do your duties to the best of your
ability, and give your classmates good example. Keep in mind that the Lord,
Jesus is always with you and wants your happiness."
The educational method
Don Bosco and his Salesians was guiding Dominic and the other youngsters of the
Oratory, helping them to develop and grow into maturity. Don Bosco’s approach
to ministry was to foster in the young people the skills and talents that would
help them to develop into good Christians and upright citizens. In a short
booklet entitled, The Preventive System, he described his approach to youth ministry
as based on reason, religion and loving-kindness. Volumes have been written
about Don Bosco’s method by his Salesians.
A Young Apostle
Don Bosco developed youth
to youth ministry a hundred years before the term came to be used in education.
Don Bosco began his ministry with very little help and no expertise except his
own experience as a child and his keen insights into the nature of young
people. He had to train a taskforce of people who would become experts in
caring for these at-risk children. He gathered a hand full of generous adults
willing to follow his lead and a large number of youth whom he could train to
minister to their peers. Dominic became one of these young apostles.
Learning to Minister
During the next two years
Dominic grew in his awareness of God’s call to holiness. He was already very
pious, but now he became a person of prayer. Dominic realized that part of
becoming a saint was sharing his knowledge and awareness of God with his
companions.
Dominic was well liked by
his classmates at the Oratory. He did well in school and enjoyed the games the
other youngsters played. In Italy at the middle of the nineteenth century
children did not play sports as we do today. Instead they enjoyed any number of
games, races and field games. Dominic was always in the middle of the
activities. He was always aware of what the others were doing and he became the
mentor of his companions. The other kids respected him and appreciated his
leadership, but when things went wrong he was not afraid to step in a bring
order to difficult situations.
On one occasion two boys
had gotten into an argument and challenged each other to a rock duel. This was
a common way young thugs and street gangs settled arguments. These duels
usually ended with someone getting hurt and sometimes seriously. It seems that
one boy had insulted the family of the other. The two boys became so enraged
that the only way they could think of settling the affair was to fight with
stones. They were to meet in the lot about ten minutes' walk from the Oratory.
Dominic Savio learned
about the fight. He caught up with the boys and tried to talk them out of it.
They would not hear of it. Dominic followed them to a field where the fight was
to take place.
Dominic pleaded "You
must stop this. It is not right!"
The one of the boys
shouted, "You can’t stop us."
"Not until I split
his head open..." the other added.
"I am not stopping
the fight," shot back Dominic, "but I am asking you to accept one
condition."
"And what’s that?
They asked. By now they had arrived at the field set up the duel. Each boy
stood facing the other with a distance of about twenty feet between him. Each
had a pile of stones arranged at his feet. On the signal they would began to
throw the stones at each other until one gave up or was seriously injured.
Dominic stepped between
them. One of the two shouted, "Dominic, what are you doing?"
"Do you promise you
will fight under the condition I will set up?"
"Yes, now get out of
the way, agreed one of the boys."
The other shouted,
"Let’s get this over with. What’s the condition?"
Taking out a small
crucifix, which he used to wear around his neck, Dominic held it up.
"Before you start the fight you must look at this crucifix, and throw the
first stone at me."
He strode before the
angrier boy, and kneeling down said, "You start! Throw the first stone at
me!"
Taken by surprise, the
boy began to tremble. "No!" he protested. "Never! I have no
argument with you, Dominic."
Dominic ran over to the
other boy. He too was astonished and assured Dominic he was his friend and
meant him no harm.
Then Dominic stood up.
Looking at them, he said with great emotion: "Neither of you is ready to
hurt me because I am your friend, yet you want commit this sin over a stupid
remark made at school. Christ, who was innocent, died for us rather then seek
revenge from those who hated him." Dominic stood, silent, crucifix in
hand. Both boys dropped their stones, ashamed before his courageous stand.
"At that
moment," one of them later admitted, "all my determination broke down
and a cold chill ran through me. I hated myself for having forced a good friend
like Dominic to go to such lengths to keep us from sin. To show my regret, I
forgave the boy who had insulted me and asked Dominic to tell me of some good
priest who would hear my confession."
Apostle of Prayer
Dominic had a special
love for the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He prayed asking for the grace of
keeping his heart like Mary’s, free from every impure desire. "Mary,"
he would pray, "I always want to be your son. Let me die rather than
commit a single sin against chastity."
Every Friday he found a
few minutes during recreation to go to the chapel with some friends and recite
the Seven Sorrows of Mary or the Litany of the Sorrowful Virgin. One Saturday,
for example, he invited a companion to recite Our Lady's Vespers with him, but
the lad tried to get out of it by pleading that his hands were cold. Dominic
took off his own gloves and gave them to him. Another time he lent his coat to
a boy to have him go to church with him for a few moments. (Apparently, in the
winter the Church was colder inside than it was outside.)
Dominic drew up an
interesting set of stories about Mary, the mother of Jesus, to tell his
schoolmates. Now and then he would drop a good hint to get someone to go to
confession and Communion in honor or the Blessed Mother. He was the first to
set the example. He saw the Sacrament of Penance as a good place to get advise
from the priest.
A pleasant episode bears
out his tender love for Mary. The boys of his dormitory had decided to set up a
little shrine to Our Lady at their own expense so as to keep the month of May.
Dominic was very excited about it, but when he found out how much it would
cost, he exclaimed, "What can I do? I haven't a cent!" Then he had an
idea. He got a book he once received as a prize and, giving it to the boys,
said, "Now I can do my share for Mary! Take this book and sell it!"
The others were so impressed that they too got books and things and had a
little raffle to pay for their project.
After they bought the
decorations they began setting up the shrine, but by the eve of Mary's feast
they had not yet finished. "I'll stay up to night to get things
ready," volunteered Dominic. But his friends knew that he was still
recovering from a recent illness and made him go to bed. "All right,"
he agreed, "but when you finish, wake me up. I want to be among the first
to see our shrine to Mary!"
Burning With Love
About ten months before
his death Dominic confided to Don Bosco: "Father, I desire to do something
for Mary, but I must do it at once. I want to share my love for the Blessed
Mother with my companions. What can I do?" Together they agreed to start a
group of students interested in promoting devotion to Mary, the Immaculate
Mother of Jesus, and the good of the Oratory. He drew up a few rules and
guidelines for the group, which he called Sodality of the Immaculate
Conception. On June 8, 1856, nine months before his death, Dominic had the
rules approved by Don Bosco, and the first members were enrolled. Today the
function of the sodality remains in the Campus Ministry Teams in Salesian
Schools and the Youth Ministry Teams in youth centers and parishes.
If we put the founding of
the Immaculate Conception Sodality by Dominic Savio together with the apostolic
direction that he received from Don Bosco, it becomes clear that for Don Bosco
Salesian Spirituality is always a forward movement of prayer motivating
ministry and ministry motivating prayer.
Before going to Don
Bosco's Oratory, Dominic would to go to confession and Communion once a month,
as was the practice of the day. Dominic heard Don Bosco tell the boys that to
keep on the path to heaven, they should do three things: "Go to Confession
regularly choosing a steady confessor to whom you can unburden the heart,
receive Communion often, and promote goodness among your friends." He
observed that advice diligently. He had a great love for the Eucharist. At
first he went to Confession and Communion every two weeks, then every week.
Observing his spiritual progress, his confessor (Don Bosco) advised him to go
to Communion three times a week and by the end of the year every day. Dominic
placed unlimited confidence in Don Bosco, sometimes speaking to him of his
spiritual problems even outside of Confession. To spend time in adoration
before the Blessed Sacrament was his delight, and he made at least one visit to
church a day, taking other boys with him.
We should remember that
Dominic lived at a time when Northern Italy was still influenced by Jansenism,
which had a very negative understanding of confession and the Eucharist. In
simple terms it regarded humanity as basically evil. The Holy Communion
(Eucharist) was to be received only rarely and only by those who were worthy.
Don Bosco was among those who were trying to combat this heresy. In today’s
climate he would suggest frequent celebration of the Eucharist. His Salesians
do so daily and offer their students the opportunity for daily Eucharist. Don
Bosco knew well that we all need spiritual advise through a spiritual director
and through regular celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
(Confession).
Extraordinary Gifts
Don Bosco himself was an
eyewitness to extraordinary events concerning Dominic Savio. Don Bosco wrote,
"I am recording things I have seen with my own eyes. I assure you I am adhering
strictly to truth …"
When Dominic received
Communion or when he made a visit to Church he became completely absorbed in
prayer. One day Dominic was missing from breakfast, from class, and from lunch.
No one knew where he was. On being informed, Don Bosco guessed that he was in
church as he had been at other times. His guess was right. He went into the
sanctuary behind the main altar. There was Dominic, standing as immovable as a
rock. One foot was over the other; one hand rested on a bookstand, the other
was pressed against his heart. His face was fixed toward the tabernacle. Don
Bosco called to him, "Dominic." He looked at Don Bosco and asked,
"Is Mass over already?"
"Look,
Dominic," said Don Bosco as he showed him the time. "It's two o'clock
in the afternoon."
Dominic apologized. Don
Bosco then sent him for something to eat, adding, "If anyone asks where
you were, say you were doing something for me."
Another time, Don Bosco had just finished his thanksgiving after Mass and was
about to leave the sacristy when he heard someone talking in the sanctuary. He
found Dominic alone but speaking as if in a conversation with some invisible
person. Don Bosco heard Dominic say, "Yes, Lord, I have said it before,
and I will keep on saying it, I love you and I want to love you all my life. If
you see that I am about to commit a sin, make me die first! Yes, death first,
but not sin!"
Don Bosco asked Dominic
what was happening. "I don't know," was his answer. "I get
distracted and lose track of my prayer, and then I see such wonderful things
that the hours fly by like seconds!"
One night after all had
gone to bed Dominic rushed into Don Bosco's room, waking him, "Don Bosco
come with me!
"What," asked
Don Bosco?
"Please Don Bosco,
hurry!"
With Dominic's
insistence, Don Bosco dressed quickly and followed him. They left the Oratory,
hurried down one street, into another, and up a third, without saying a word,
and then into another street. They walked quickly along a line of tenements,
and finally Dominic stopped before one. He ran up the stairs to the third floor
with Don Bosco following. Dominic stopped at one door, knocking on the door and
told Don Bosco, "Here!"
The door of the apartment
opened, and a woman stood before Don Bosco. "Thank God!" cried the
woman, "There's little time. My husband is dying. He left the Church, but
now he wants to die a good Catholic!" The man made his peace with God. Don
Bosco heard his confession and blessed him. The man died a few moments later.
Days later, Don Bosco
asked Dominic how he knew about that dying man. His face clouded over with a
look of distress, and tears came to his eyes. Don Bosco did not insist.
"Innocence of
life," wrote Don Bosco, "love of God, and the desire of heaven had so
elevated his soul that he could be said to be living always absorbed in
God…"
Dominic's sister,
Theresa, testified that on the morning of September 12, 1856, Dominic rushed
into Don Bosco's room.
"Please,
Father," he asked, "may I go home?"
"Why?"
"My mother is very
sick, and Our Lady wants to take care her. "
"How do you
know?"
"I just know, that's
all."
"Has someone written
to you?"
"No, but I know just
the same."
Don Bosco gave him
permission because, as he later told Mr. Savio, "When your son insists on
anything, I do well to agree with him."
Don Bosco gave Dominic
fare for the coach to Chieri and then a carriage to Mondonio. When Dominic
arrived he met his father, who was on his way to find a doctor.
"What are you doing
here?" he asked his son.
"I'm going to see
mother. She's very sick."
"Go to
grandma's!" insisted Mr. Savio and rushed on. Dominic ran home. His mother
was in labor. The neighboring women were doing what they could for her but
could not help her. Dominic suddenly rushed into the house. Disregarding the
objections of the women he ran upstairs to his mother, saying, "I know
she's sick. That's why I came!" His mother was alone.
"Dominic, what are
you doing here?" she asked.
"I found out that
you were sick, and I came to see you."
Forcing herself to sit
up, she replied, "Oh, it's nothing. Go downstairs. I'll see you
later." "I'll go, Mama, but first I want to hug you!"
He quickly embraced his
mother and kissed her. Then he left the house and returned immediately to
Turin.
A few minutes later
Brigit’s labor pains reached their climax and subsided. It was at five that
evening that Dominic's baby sister, Catherine, was born. By the time Charles
returned with a doctor the birth was over.
The women who assisted
Mrs. Savio noticed she was wearing a green scapular. Not having seen it before,
they asked where she got it. She too was surprised but then replied, "
Dominic must have put this scapular on me as he embraced me, because I've never
had one like this before. That is why I have been safely delivered!"
On his return to the
Oratory, the only answer Dominic gave Don Bosco was, "My mother is all
right. I gave her a scapular of our Blessed Mother."
That same scapular later
saved the life of Theresa herself in a similar condition, as well as the lives
of several women. While Dominic was at home, during his last illness, he told
his mother, "Do you remember the time I came to see you when you in labor
with my sister? I left a scapular of Our Lady around your neck? It was Our
Mother Mary who eased your Labor. Take good care of the scapular and lend it to
other women in the same condition. Our Blessed Mother will take care of them
also."
The scapular, however,
was lost. "I had very many requests for this miraculous scapular,"
testified Theresa. "It was lent to many women in labor who were in danger
of death. To my regret, it has been lost."
To the Father's House
Don Bosco promoted a
practice he called The Exercise of a Happy Death. This monthly celebration
consisted in conference by one the Salesians or a guest speaker on some aspect
of faith development, an opportunity for confession, the celebration of the
Eucharist, and prayers for a Happy Death. Don Bosco did not intend this to be a
gloomy or frightening experience, but an educational opportunity to help the
young people to examine their life and their relationship with God. Today the
Salesians call it The Monthly Day of Recollection. Dominic always carried it
out with great devotion. At the end of the prayers an Our Father and Hail Mary
were recited "for the one among us who shall be the first to die."
One time Dominic playfully remarked, "Don't say 'for the one among us'.
Just say 'for Dominic Savio, who will be the first among us to die.'"
At the end of April 1856,
Dominic went to Don Bosco and asked how he should spend the month of May in
honor of Our Lady.
"Do your duties
carefully," said Don Bosco. "Speak of Mary to your companions every
day, and receive Communion every day."
"I will, Father.
What should I pray for?"
"Ask Our Lady for
health and the favor of becoming a saint."
"Yes, to become a
saint and to die a happy death and have her help in my last moments and be
taken by her to Heaven!"
Since Dominic began
showing signs of failing health, Don Bosco called in several doctors. All
admired his lightheartedness, bright wit and quick responses. Doctor Vallauri
examined him and remarked to Don Bosco, "What a fine treasure you have in
this boy!"
"But what is causing
him to fail so quickly day by day?" asked Don Bosco.
"He seems to be
generally in poor health. He is an intense young man and puts himself under
constant pressure to succeed especially in his spiritual life."
"What remedy can we
use?"
"There is nothing we
can do medically. The only thing that might prolong his life is to relieve him
of his studies completely for some time and just give him little odd jobs that
will not tire him."
The doctor’s advice was
based on the practice of the day, 1857. Today a doctor would have put Dominic
in a hospital. The general opinion today is that Dominic was suffering from a
respiratory infection. We should remember that in the mid 19th century
childhood death was very common. Respiratory deceases were not well understood.
Dominic spent some days
in bed. On days when he felt better he attended classes and study hall, and
joined the community for prayer. However, his health continued to decline,
Dominic did not want to go home. He did not want to interrupt his studies. He
enjoyed very much the life at the Oratory, and would miss the regular prayer
life of the community. Some months before, Don Bosco had sent him home. He
returned to the Oratory after only a few days. Dominic valued the experience of
Don Bosco’s Oratory.
Dominic had developed a
persistent cough. Don Bosco with the doctor decided that it would be better if
Dominic went home so that he could receive the attention his mother and family
could give him. Dominic was not happy with the decision.
"Why are you so
sorry to go home?" asked Don Bosco. "You should be glad to be with
your parents again."
"I want to end my
days at the Oratory," he replied.
"You will go home
for a while, and, when you are better, you can come back. "
"No, Don Bosco, I'll
go, but I'll never come back!"
The night before he left,
he refused to budge from Don Bosco's side, looking for all sorts of questions
to ask.
"What can a sick boy
do to gain merit before God?" Dominic asked.
"Offer your
sufferings to God," replied Don Bosco.
"Will I be able to
see my parents and friends from Heaven?"
"Yes, you will be able
to see everything at the Oratory and your parents. You will know everything
that concerns them, and so many other wonderful things besides, but that is not
to concern you now. You are going home to get well."
Dominic kept asking many
other questions.
On the morning of his
departure from the Oratory, Dominic made the Exercise For A Happy Death with
his companions. With great devotion he went to Confession and Communion. He
spent the rest of the morning packing and said goodbye to his friends He paid back
two cents he owed to a friend saying, "Let's get this fixed, so I won't
have to worry about it when I present my accounts to God." He spoke to the
members of the Immaculate Conception Sodality, insisting that they be faithful
to their promises to Mary and to place the utmost confidence in her.
Before leaving, he told
Don Bosco, "Since you don't want this poor body of mine, I'll have to take
it back to Mondonio. But it would have burdened you only a few days, and all
would soon be over. But God's will be done! Pray that I may die well. Goodbye
till we meet in Heaven."
As they approached the
gate to the main road, Dominic was holding on to Don Bosco's hand. He turned to
his companions. "Goodbye. Pray for me. We'll see each other where we will
always be with God." Upon reaching the gate, Dominic turned back and asked
Don Bosco, "Will you give me a present to remember you?"
"How about a book,
Don Bosco proposed?"
"No, I want
something better."
"Do you want money
for your trip?"
"Yes, that's it,
money for my trip to eternity. You told me once that the Pope had granted you
plenary indulgences for the hour of death. Put my name among those who can gain
that indulgence."
"Gladly, Dominic,
you can consider yourself in that number now."
Dominic then walked out
of the Oratory gate with his father. It was two o'clock in the afternoon of
March 1,1857. He had lived at the Oratory almost three years to his great joy,
and to the edification of both his companions and the teachers. He was never to
return.
For the first four days
at home Dominic did well. Then he took a turn for the worse. He became weaker,
his appetite failed, and his cough became more persistent. The doctor found
that the boy's illness was much worse than it seemed. Thinking that Dominic had
an infection, the doctor used the accepted remedy of the time, bleeding.
Dominic was bled several times. He seemed to rally.
However, Dominic asked to
have the priest hear his Confession and give him Communion. They called for the
pastor who heard his confession and gave him Communion. Dominic then recalled
the resolutions at his first Communion. Several times he repeated, "Jesus,
Mary, you will always be my friends… death but not sin!"
After four days, the
doctor had good news for the parents. "Thank God," he said. "We
are past danger. All he needs now is rest." They were overjoyed at the
news. Dominic smiled. After the doctor left, he asked for the sacrament of the
Anointing of the Sick. To please him, his parents agreed. On being anointed he
prayed: "My God, forgive me my sins. I love you and I want to love you
forever. Dominic's mind was so clear and his voice so loud, that all thought he
was fine and on his way to recovery.
He had been bled ten
times. He was very weak. The priest gave him a special Papal Blessing, which
deeply consoled him. He repeated often, "Thanks be to God!"
No one but Dominic
suspected he was so close to death. An hour and a half before he died, the
pastor came to see him, and, noting how calmly he rested, was surprised to hear
him recommend his soul to God. The boy kept praying in long, drawn out sighs.
After reciting a few prayers with Dominic, the pastor turned to leave.
"Please,
Father," called Dominic, "give me a little remembrance before you
go."
"What remembrance can
I leave you?"
"A word of
comfort!"
"I know of nothing
better than to recall the passion of Christ."
"Thanks be to
God!" Dominic answered.
He then fell asleep and
rested for half an hour. He then opened his eyes, looked at his parents, and
gasped, "Papa, it's time! Take my prayer book and read for me the prayers
for a happy death!"
For a while he seemed to
be resting. Then slowly he awoke. Smiling, he said clearly, "Goodbye,
Papa, goodbye, goodbye Mama! Oh, what a beautiful sight I see!" With these
words and a smile on his lips, Dominic breathed his last...
According to the
testimony of Charles Savio, Dominic’s father, shortly after his death Dominic
appeared to him. After verifying it was his son, Charles said, "Oh, my
dear boy! How wonderful you look! I don’t know what to say! Are you in
Heaven?"
"Yes, Papa, I am in
Heaven."
"Will you pray for
us, for mother and me?"
"Yes, I will pray
for you!"
With that the vision
faded.
A Friend Forever
On December 6, 1876
nineteen years after his death Dominic appeared to Don Bosco. Dominic came to
encourage and to advise Don Bosco about the future of his work for youth. In
that vision Don Bosco asked his pupil, "Dominic, what gave you the most
comfort at the hour of death?"
"What comforted me
most at the point of death was the assistance of the powerful and loving Mother
of God."
On March 5, 1950, Pope
Pius XII beatified Dominic Savio. It is a curious coincidence that March 5,
1950, was the second Sunday of Lent. It was the second Sunday of Lent, 1855,
when St. John Bosco gave the boys at the Oratory where Dominic Savio was a
pupil, the sermon on how easy it was to become a saint.
On June 12, 1954. Pope
Pius XII canonized Dominic Savio, this 14-year-old boy from Don Bosco’s Oratory
a Saint.
Saint Dominic Savio is a
wonderful hero for young people today. This teenage saint's way to
holiness was to live the spirituality that was shared with him by St. John
Bosco and his Salesians, basically a life lived simply by doing the everyday
duties of life in an extra ordinary way. It is a youth spirituality that
can be lived by people of all ages. The Salesian Spirituality responds to
the Gospel imperative given by Jesus to his disciples and to all who follow
Him, "Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let the children come to me; do not
prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I
say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not
enter it.’ Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on
them." (Mark 10: 14-16)
Adapted from A Brief Life of St. Dominic Savio By Paul J. Pascucci, SDB
Saint Dominic Savio, by
St. John Bosco, translated from the fifth Italian edition with introduction and
notes by Rev. Paul Aronica, SDB, Salesiana Publishers, 1963.
SOURCE : https://donboscowest.org/dominic-savio
Basilica di Maria Ausiliatrice a Torino: altare di
san Domenico Savio con le reliquie del santo
The altar of St. Dominic Savio in Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians (Basilica di Santa Maria Ausiliatrice), Turin, under which is held the relic of the saint
Basilica di Maria Ausiliatrice a Torino: altare di
san Domenico Savio con le reliquie del santo
The
altar of St. Dominic Savio in Basilica of Our Lady
Help of Christians (Basilica di Santa Maria Ausiliatrice), Turin, under which
is held the relic of the saint
San Domenico Savio Adolescente
Riva di Chieri, Torino, 2
aprile 1842 - Mondonio, Asti, 9 marzo 1857
Ancora bambino decise
quale sarebbe stato il suo progetto di vita: vivere da vero cristiano. Tale
desiderio venne accentuato dall’ascolto di una predica di don Bosco, dopo la
quale decise di divenire santo. Da questo momento, infatti la sua esistenza fu
piena d’amore e carità verso il prossimo, cercando in occasione di dare
l'esempio. Nel 1856 fondò la Compagnia dell'Immacolata e poco più tardi morì,
lasciando un valido e bel ricordo della sua persona ai giovani cristiani.
Patronato: Pueri
cantores, Chierichetti, Gestanti
Etimologia: Domenico =
consacrato al Signore, dal latino
Martirologio Romano: A
Mondonio in Piemonte, san Domenico Savio, che, fin dalla fanciullezza di animo
dolce e lieto, ancora adolescente percorse speditamente la via della cristiana
perfezione.
Qualcuno ha affermato che
è un santino “latte e miele” e ha pensato di non parlarne più ai ragazzi
d’oggi. Eppure, a guardarlo bene, appare un piccolo eroe, un elegante e
distinto giovane della santità. È nato a Riva di Chieri (TO) il 2 aprile 1842,
dove il padre Carlo con la mamma Brigida, si è trasferito da Murialdo di
Castelnuovo d’Asti, per guadagnarsi il pane con la sua piccola officina di
fabbro.
Il cuore a Gesù solo
Quando il bimbo non conta che due anni, i Savio tornano a Murialdo, continuando
il loro lavoro. Domenico è un marmocchio di pochi anni e quando il papà ritorna
stanco alla sera, Domenico l’attende per dirgli: “Sei stanco papà? Io sono
buono a poco, ma prego il buon Dio per te”. La mamma lo porta alla Messa tutte
le domeniche. Gli altri bambini, mentre aspettano il prete, fanno schiamazzi.
Lui si inginocchia per terra e prega. Quando a casa viene un tale che si mette
a mangiare senza neppure fare il segno di Croce, Domenico si rifiuta di venire
a tavola, perché “non posso mangiare con uno che divora tutto come le bestie”.
A sette anni è ammesso alla prima Comunione, cosa rarissima ai suoi tempi. Con
il cuore in festa fissa quattro propositi come quattro rampe da atleta
per salire alle vette di Dio, da rocciatore di sesto grado:
“Mi confesserò e comunicherò sovente;
voglio santificare le feste;
i miei amici saranno Gesù e Maria;
la morte ma non peccati”.
Gesù dunque è per lui l’amico, l’Amico per eccellenza, l’Amico che gli riscalda
il cuore, lo innamora, lo spinge al sacrificio, fino alla morte se Lui lo
vuole. È come dire: “Quanto ho di più caro al mondo è Gesù Cristo”. Il suo
cuore e la sua vita, Domenico li dona a Gesù solo. Va a scuola a costo di
fatica: una quindicina di chilometri ogni giorno, a piedi, per strade insicure.
Gli domandano se non ha paura. Risponde: “Macché paura! Io non sono solo. Ho
l’Angelo custode che mi accompagna”. Una mattina d’inverno a scuola, mentre si
attende il maestro (un buon prete di nome Don Cugliero), i compagni riempiono
la stufa di sassi e di neve. Al maestro irato, i ragazzini dicono: “È stato
Domenico”. Lui non si scolpa e il maestro lo punisce severamente, mentre gli
altri sghignazzano. All’indomani però, la verità si viene a sapere e
l’insegnante gli domanda: “Perché non mi hai detto che eri innocente?”.
Risponde Domenico: “Quel tale, già colpevole di altre mancanze, sarebbe stato
cacciato da scuola. Io pensavo di essere perdonato. E poi pensavo a Gesù...
anche Lui è stato castigato ingiustamente...”.
Alla scuola di Don Bosco
Don Cugliero presenta questo ragazzo al suo amico, Don Bosco. Il 12
ottobre 1854, papà Carlo accompagna Domenico nell’aia della casa dei Becchi,
dove Don Bosco è venuto con i suoi ragazzi. Il santo educatore lo trova
intelligente, carico di doti, e se lo porta a Torino, all’oratorio di Valdocco.
Nell’ufficio di Don Bosco c’è una scritta in latino che dice: “Dammi le anime,
Signore, e prenditi il resto”. Domenico legge, comprende e commenta: “Qui si fa
commercio non di denaro, ma di anime”. Qualche giorno dopo, Don Bosco durante
una buona notte dice ai suoi ragazzi: “È volontà di Dio che ci facciamo santi.
Dio ci prepara un grande premio in cielo se ci facciamo santi”. Domenico
avvicina Don Bosco a quattr’occhi e gli domanda: “Come devo fare?”. Don
Bosco gli risponde: “Servi il Signore nella gioia”.
Da quel giorno, Domenico diventa l’intimo amico di Gesù. Ogni otto giorni la Confessione, tutti i giorni la Messa con la Comunione. Con la gioia nel cuore, mosso dallo spirito di sacrificio che il Crocifisso gli ispira, si butta nei comuni doveri della vita, compiendoli con perfezione e amore di Dio per conquistare i suoi compagni a Gesù, tanto nella scuola, come nel gioco.
Anche se ancora ragazzo, sente il bisogno di fare apostolato, di annunciare Gesù in mezzo ai compagni e le occasioni non gli mancano. Tra i ragazzi di Valdocco c’è uno che ha portato giornali osceni: Domenico glieli fa a pezzi, anche se rischia di prendersele. Alla porta dell’Oratorio, c’è un protestante che viene a fare propaganda: lui lo manda via e allontana i compagni che lo ascoltano. Sulla strada c’è un carrettiere che bestemmia: lui lo richiama dolcemente a cambiar modo di parlare. Passa un sacerdote che porta l’Eucaristia a un moribondo: Domenico si inginocchia nel fango della strada e fa inginocchiare anche un ufficiale impettito nella sua divisa, stendendogli il suo fazzoletto per terra. Due compagni fanno a sassate fino a spaccarsi la testa: lui, in nome del Crocifisso, fa da paciere, rischiando di avere la testa rotta al loro posto.
Nelle vacanze a Mondonio, il paese dove i suoi si sono sistemati, anima i giochi degli amici e insegna il Catechismo. Autorevole per bontà e letizia, tutti lo ascoltano e ne sono interiormente cambiati. All’Oratorio di Don Bosco, brucia di passione per essere simile a Gesù Crocifisso: tra le lenzuola nasconde alcuni sassolini per fare penitenza per la conversione dei ragazzi lontani da Dio. Una mattina di gennaio, Don Bosco lo trova tutto intirizzito con una sola coperta. “Perché – spiega Domenico – Gesù sulla Croce era più povero di me”.
Dopo che Pio IX ha proclamato il dogma dell’Immacolata Concezione di Maria (8
dicembre 1854), Domenico Savio vuole fare qualcosa di grande per la Madonna.
Raduna i suoi amici migliori e dice: “Uniamoci, fondiamo una compagnia per
aiutare Don Bosco a salvare molte anime”. La Confessione e la Comunione
frequenti, la preghiera e l’istruzione religiosa, l’impegno tenace per portare
a Dio i compagni più difficili, sono i cardini della ormai nata Compagnia
dell’Immacolata. Don Bosco è la sua guida in tutto, ma qualche volta è Domenico
che guida Don Bosco in opere straordinarie di bene.
Promosso sul campo
All’inizio del 1857, Domenico è diventato assai fragile. Rientra nella sua
casetta a Mondonio e sa che Gesù lo chiama all’incontro definitivo con Lui. Si
prepara festante. Saluta il papà e la mamma. La sera del 9 marzo, mentre il
papà gli legge la preghiera della buona morte, Domenico si colora in volto e
con voce vivace dice: “Addio, caro papà... Oh che bella cosa io vedo mai...”. È
la Madonna che viene a prenderlo per introdurlo nella vita che non muore. Lo
dirà lui stesso in sogno a Don Bosco: “È stata Maria Santissima la mia più
grande consolazione in vita e in morte. Lo dica ai suoi figli che non
dimentichino mai di pregarla”.
La fama di santità di Domenico dilagò in tutta la Chiesa e nel mondo intero. Vennero i miracoli a confermare la sua santità. E il 12 giugno 1954, nella Basilica di San Pietro a Roma, il papa Pio XII lo proclamò santo davanti a migliaia di giovani. Poi il grande Pontefice si inginocchiò davanti a quel ragazzo, per rendergli venerazione e invocarne l’intercessione per tutta la Chiesa.
Come aveva già iniziato nella sua breve esistenza, San Domenico Savio sarà un
trascinatore di altri ragazzi a Gesù su tutte le vie della terra. Un capitano
di 15 anni, promosso sul campo di battaglia più sublime, quello della santità.
Tutt’altro che un santino latte e miele, ma un vero atleta, un principe di Dio.
Autore: Paolo Risso
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Allievo di Don Bosco,
Domenico Savio è molto amato e invocato come “il santo delle culle e delle
partorientiˮ. Nasce nel 1842 a Riva di Chieri (Torino) in una famiglia povera
ma molto religiosa, secondo di dieci fratelli. Il padre Carlo è un fabbro ferraio.
La madre, Brigida Gaiato, fa la sarta. A cinque anni “Minotˮ, come lo chiamano
in famiglia, serve già la Messa e spesso arriva in chiesa prima del sacerdote:
aspetta fuori al freddo, sotto la pioggia o la neve. Ammesso alla Prima
Comunione a soli sette anni (un privilegio per l’epoca poiché questo sacramento
veniva concesso ai dodicenni) diventa un chierichetto modello. I suoi amici
sono Gesù e la Mamma Celeste, il suo sogno è diventare santo.
Un giorno a scuola viene
incolpato ingiustamente da due compagni che invece di portare in aula un ciocco
di legno, come facevano tutti gli scolari per alimentare la stufa, riempiono la
stessa di neve. Domenico non si difende, viene punito dal maestro e messo in
ginocchio sul pavimento. Appresa la verità il maestro chiede a Domenico perché
non si sia difeso; il bambino risponde semplicemente che anche Gesù, accusato
ingiustamente, non si era ribellato.
Il 29 ottobre 1854 San
Giovanni Bosco lo accoglie nel suo oratorio San Francesco di Sales, a Valdocco
(Torino). Domenico a dodici anni, convinto della sua decisione, desidera
diventare prete. Molto intelligente, studia con profitto. È servizievole;
osserva con scrupolo le regole dell’oratorio; svolge con meticolosità ogni
incombenza, dal ramazzare i pavimenti all’insegnare il catechismo ai bambini
più piccoli. I dettagli sulla vita di Domenico Savio si possono trarre dalla
sua biografia scritta da Don Bosco.
Con l’intenzione di
attirare i suoi coetanei all’insegnamento di Gesù, il giovane Domenico, molto
devoto alla Madonna, insieme ad un gruppo di amici, fonda la “Compagnia
dell’Immacolataˮ. I loro propositi sono: pregare, trasmettere agli altri gioia
e serenità, cercare di migliorare e di riprendere con delicatezza, evitando di
offendere o umiliare, il comportamento indisciplinato dei ragazzini più
prepotenti, e di motivarli a non dire parolacce. Con loro Domenico è allegro,
generoso, disposto ad aiutare nei compiti, a consolare chi è triste. È vicino
ai giovani appena arrivati in oratorio e li aiuta ad ambientarsi nella nuova
casa. Spesso si tratta di orfani, bambini di strada che vivono di espedienti,
analfabeti, abbrutiti dalla miseria. Eppure la dolce bontà di Domenico
conquista tutti e le sue azioni quotidiane, anche le più piccole, offrono il
buon esempio per compiere il Bene.
Un giorno si trova per la
strada e sente un uomo bestemmiare. Gli si avvicina e gli chiede gentilmente la
via che conduce all’oratorio di Don Bosco. L’uomo non lo sa. Allora Domenico,
fiducioso e quasi implorante, gli chiede un altro favore: non bestemmiare il
nome santo di Dio. L’uomo, stupito, prova ammirazione per quel ragazzino e
dandogli ragione, promette di abbandonare il brutto vizio.
Trascorrono tre anni
quando Domenico, dal fisico gracile, si ammala gravemente ai polmoni e
all’epoca non esisteva cura. Il 9 marzo del 1857, poco prima di compiere
quindici anni, muore a Mondonio, una frazione di Castelnuovo Don Bosco (Asti),
dove la famiglia si era trasferita per motivi di lavoro. Il sogno di diventare
santo si avvera il 12 giugno 1954 con la sua canonizzazione, proclamata da papa
Pio XII. Dal 1914 il suo corpo riposa a Torino, accanto a quello di San
Giovanni Bosco, presso la Basilica di Maria Ausiliatrice.
San Domenico Savio
protegge i giovani studenti, i chierichetti e i Pueri Cantores (cori di voci
bianche che accompagnano la liturgia della Chiesa cattolica con il loro canto).
Viene invocato soprattutto dalle gestanti e dalle partorienti in seguito a un
fatto prodigioso: mentre sua madre Brigida, in attesa di un altro figlio, per
il sopraggiungere di complicazioni per un parto difficile, è in pericolo di
vita, Domenico non viene avvertito, ma ha una visione: la Madonna gli
preannuncia il desiderio di guarirla. Ricevuto il permesso di allontanarsi da
Valdocco, si reca dalla madre, l’abbraccia stretta e le posa sul collo
un’immagine della Mamma Celeste, confezionata da lui stesso. Dopo
quell’incontro la mamma partorisce felicemente una sorellina, Maria Caterina.
Quell’immagine diventa “l’abitino di San Domenico Savioˮ, un piccolo scapolare
di stoffa con l’effigie del giovane santo, indossato ancora oggi con devozione
dalle gestanti.
Autore: Mariella
Lentini
Chiesa
di San Domenico Savio, Vittoria
Domenico Savio, soprannominato in piemontese “Minòt”, nacque il 2 aprile 1842 a San Giovanni, frazione di Riva presso Chieri, agli estremi confini della provincia e della diocesi torinese. Fu il secondo di ben dieci fratelli, figli di Carlo, che svolge l’attività di fabbro, e di Brigida Gaiato, sarta. Il piccolo Domenico venne battezzato nella chiesa dell’Assunta in Riva il giorno stesso. Alla fine del 1843 la famiglia si trasferì a Murialdo, frazione di Castelnuovo d’Asti, odierna Castelnuovo Don Bosco. Qui nel 1848 Domenico iniziò le scuole e nella chiesa parrocchiale del paese ricevette la prima Comunione l'8 aprile 1849. Proprio in tale occasione, all’età di appena sette anni, tracciò il suo progetto di vita che sintetizzò in quattro propositi ben precisi: “Mi confesserò molto sovente e farò la Comunione tutte le volte che il confessore me ne darà il permesso. Voglio santificare i giorni festivi. I miei amici saranno Gesù e Maria. La morte ma non peccati”.
Nel mese di febbraio del 1853 i Savio si trasferirono nuovamente, questa volta a Mondonio, altra frazione di Castelnuovo. Il 2 ottobre dell’anno successivo Domenico, ormai dodicenne, incontrò Don Bosco ai Becchi. Il santo educatore rimase sbalordito da questo ragazzo: “Conobbi in quel giovane un animo tutto secondo lo spirito del Signore e rimasi non poco stupito considerando i lavori che la grazia di Dio aveva operato in così tenera età”. Con la sua innata schiettezza il ragazzo gli disse: “Io sono la stoffa, lei ne sia il sarto: faccia un bell’abito per il Signore!”. Nel giro di soli venti giorni poté così fare il suo ingresso nell’oratorio di Valdocco a Torino. Si mise dunque a camminare veloce sulla strada che Don Bosco gli consigliò per “farsi santo”, il suo grande sogno: allegria, impegno nella preghiera e nello studio, far del bene agli altri, devozione a Maria. Scelse il santo come confessore e, affinché questi potesse formarsi un giusto giudizio della sua coscienza, volle praticare la confessione generale. Iniziò a confessarsi ogni quindici giorni, poi addirittura ogni otto.
Domenico imparò presto a dimenticare se stesso, i suoi capricci ed a diventare sempre più attento alle necessità del prossimo. Sempre mite, sereno e gioioso, metteva grande impegno nei suoi doveri di studente e nel servire i compagni in vari modi: insegnando loro il Catechismo, assistendo i malati, pacificando i litigi.
Una volta, in pieno inverno, due compagni di Domenico ebbero la brillante idea di gettare della neve nella stufa dell’aula scolastica. Non appena entrò il maestro, dalla stufa spenta colava un rigagnolo d’acqua. Alla domanda “Chi è stato?”, nessuno fiatò. Si alzarono i due colpevoli per indicare Domenico. Nessuno purtroppo intervenne per dire la verità, così il maestro punì il santo bambino. Uscendo dalla scuola, però, qualcuno vinse la paura ed indicò al maestro i veri colpevoli. Chiamò allora Domenico per chiedergli: “Perché sei stato zitto? Così ho compiuto un’ingiustizia davanti a tutta la classe!”. Domenico replicò tranquillo: “Anche Gesù fu accusato ingiustamente e rimase in silenzio”.
Un giorno due suoi compagni di scuola si insultarono e si pestarono. Lanciarono poi una sfida a duello. Domenico, che passava di lì diretto all’Oratorio, vide la scene e si rese immediatamente conto del pericolo. Toltosi dal collo il piccolo crocifisso che portava sempre con se, si avvicinò ai due sfidanti. Gridò loro con fermezza: “Guardate Gesù! Egli è morto perdonando e voi volete vendicarvi, a costo di mettere in pericolo la vita?”.
Un giorno spiegò ad un ragazzo appena arrivato all’Oratorio: “Sappi che noi qui facciamo consistere la santità nello stare molto allegri. Facciamo soltanto in modo di evitare il peccato, come un grande nemico che ci ruba la grazia di Dio e la pace del cuore, di adempiere esattamente i nostri doveri”.
Questi sono solo i più salienti aneddoti della vita di Domenico Savio, il cui più grande biografo fu San Giovanni Bosco.
L’8 dicembre 1854, quando il beato papa Pio IX proclamò il dogma dell’Immacolata Concezione di Maria, Domenico si recò dinnanzi all’altare dedicato alla Madonna per recitarle questa preghiera da lui composta: “Maria, ti dono il mio cuore. fa’ che sia sempre tuo. Fammi morire piuttosto che commettere un solo peccato. Gesù e Maria, siate voi sempre i miei amici”. Due anni dopo fondò con un gruppo di amici la “Compagnia dell’Immacolata”: gli iscritti si impegnavano a vivere una vita intensamente cristiana e ad aiutare i compagni a diventare migliori. L’amore a Gesù Eucaristia ed alla Vergine Imma¬colata, la purezza del cuore, la santificazione delle azio¬ni ordinarie e l’ansia di conquista di tutte le anime furono da quel momento il suo principale scopo di vita.
Un giorno mamma Margherita, che era scesa a Torino per aiutare il figlio Don Bosco, disse a quest’ultimo: “Tu hai molti giovani buoni, ma nessuno supera il bel cuore e la bell'anima di Savio Domenico. Lo vedo sempre pregare, restando in chiesa anche dopo gli altri; ogni giorno si toglie dalla ricreazione per far visita al Santissimo Sacramento. Sta in chiesa come un angelo che dimora in Paradiso”.Furono principalmente i genitori e Don Bosco, dopo Dio, gli artefici di questo modello di santità giovanile ancora oggi ammirato in tutto il mondo dai giovani.
Nell’estate del 1856 scoppiò il colera, malattia a quel tempo incurabile. Le famiglie ancora sane si barricarono in casa, rifiutando ogni minimo contatto con altre persone. I colpiti dal male morivano abbandonati. Don Bosco pensò di radunare i suoi cinquecento ragazzi, invitando i più coraggiosi ad uscire con lui. Quarantaquattro, tra i ragazzi più grandi, si offrirono subito volontari. Tra di essi in prima fila spiccava proprio Domenico Savio. Ammalatosi anch’egli, dovette fare ritorno in famiglia a Mondonio, dove il 9 marzo 1857 morì fra le braccia dei genitori, consolando la madre con queste parole: “Mamma non piangere, io vado in Paradiso”. Con gli occhi fissi come in una dolce visione, spirò esclamando: “Che bella cosa io vedo mai!”.
Pio XI lo definì “Piccolo, anzi grande gigante dello spirito”. Dichiarato eroe delle virtù cristiane il 9 luglio 1933, il venerabile pontefice Pio XII beatificò Domenico Savio il 5 marzo 1950 e, in seguito al riconoscimento di altri due miracoli avvenuti per sua intercessione, lo canonizzò il 12 giugno 1954. Domenico, quasi quindicenne, divenne così il più giovane santo cattolico non martire. I suoi resti mortali, collocati in un nuovo reliquiario realizzato in occasione del 50° anniversario della canonizzazione, sono venerati nella Basilica torinese di Maria Ausiliatrice. E’ patrono dei pueri cantores, nonché dei chierichetti, entrambe mansioni liturgiche che svolse attivamente. Altrettanto nota è la sua speciale protezione nei confronti delle gestanti, tramite il segno del cosiddetto “abitino”, in ricordo del miracolo con cui il santo salvò la vita di una sua sorellina che doveva nascere.
La memoria liturgica del santo è stata fissata al 9 marzo, mentre per la
Famiglia Salesiana e per le diocesi piemontesi è stata posta al 6 maggio, in
quanto l’anniversario della morte cadrebbe in Quaresima.
COLLETTE
O Dio, fonte di ogni bene,
che in san Domenico Savio hai donato agli adolescenti
un mirabile esempio di carità e di purezza:
concedi anche a noi di crescere come figli
nella gioia e nell'amore, fino alla piena statura di Cristo.
Egli è Dio, e vive e regna con te, nell'unità dello Spirito Santo,
per tutti i secoli dei secoli. Amen.
oppure:
Signore, Dio della vita e della gioia,
tu hai donato alla Chiesa san Domenico Savio come modello di santità giovanile;
concedi ai giovani di crescere come lui nella purezza e nell'amore,
e a noi educatori di saperli condurre a Cristo impegnandoli nel servizio del
tuo regno.
Per il nostro Signore Gesù Cristo, tuo Figlio, che è Dio,
e vive e regna con te, nell'unità dello Spirito Santo, per tutti i secoli dei
secoli. Amen.
PREGHIERA
Angelico Domenico Savio
che alla scuola di San Giovanni Bosco
imparasti a percorrere le vie della santità giovanile,
aiutaci ad imitare il tuo amore a Gesù,
la tua devozione a Maria, il tuo zelo per le anime;
e fa' che proponendo anche noi di voler morire piuttosto che peccare,
otteniamo la nostra eterna salvezza. Amen.
oppure per i giovani:
San Domenico Savio, sono anch’io giovane come te,
e come te cerco molto di amare Gesù.
Tu sei stato formidabile nell’amicizia con i tuoi compagni,
nella fiducia verso i tuoi genitori e i tuoi educatori.
Io ti affido tutti i miei amici e tutte le persone care
con cui condivido le mie giornate.
Tu non avresti mai commesso un peccato un peccato che deturpa il cuore.
Aiutami a trovare le parole, i gesti e gli sguardi che sono giusti e veri,
per manifestare, come te, la bontà e la verità.
Fa’ che mi senta sempre amato da Dio
e che sappia sempre scegliere il bene.
Ti ringrazio perché mi hai indicato la via della santità
E sono certo che mi aiuterai a seguirla ogni giorno. Amen.
Autore: Fabio Arduino
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/32300
Domenico Savio
(1842 -1857)
Beatificazione:
- 05 marzo 1950
- Papa Pio XII
Canonizzazione:
- 12 giugno 1954
- Papa Pio XII
- Basilica Vaticana
Ricorrenza:
- 9 marzo (6 maggio)
Laico, a Mondonio in
Piemonte, fin dalla fanciullezza di animo dolce e lieto, ancora adolescente
percorse speditamente la via della cristiana perfezione: nel 1856 fondò la
Compagnia dell'Immacolata e poco più tardi morì, lasciando un valido e bel
ricordo della sua persona ai giovani cristiani.
"Don Bosco, mi aiuti
a farmi santo!"
Domenico Savio nacque a
Riva di Chieri, in provincia di Torino, il 2 aprile 1842
Gracile adolescente, dal
corpo debole, ma dall'anima tesa in una pura oblazione di sè all'amore
sovranamente delicato ed esigente di Cristo. In una età così tenera si
attenderebbe di trovare piuttosto buone e amabili disposizioni di spirito, e
invece si scoprono in lui con stupore le vie maravigliose delle ispirazioni
della grazia, una adesione costante e senza riserva alle cose del cielo, che la
sua fede percepiva con una rara intensità.
Alla scuola del suo
Maestro spirituale, il grande Santo Don Bosco, egli apprese come la gioia di
servire Dio e di farlo amare dagli altri può divenire un potente mezzo di
apostolato. L'8 dicembre 1854 lo vide elevato in una estasi di amore verso la
Vergine Maria, e poco dopo egli riuniva alcuni suoi amici nella «Compagnia dell'Immacolata
Concezione», affine di avanzare a gran passi nel cammino della santità e di
evitare anche il minimo peccato.
Egli incitava i suoi
compagni alla pietà, alla buona condotta, alla frequenza dei Sacramenti, alla
recita del Santo Rosario, alla fuga del male e delle tentazioni. Senza
lasciarsi intimorire da cattive accoglienze e da risposte insolenti,
interveniva con fermezza, ma caritatevolmente, per richiamare al dovere gli
sventati e i perversi.
Colmato già in questa
vita della familiarità e dei doni del dolce Ospite dell'anima, ben presto
lasciò la terra per ricevere, con la intercessione della celeste Regina, il
premio del suo filiale amore.
Morì a Mondonio (Asti) il
9 marzo 1857.
La memoria
liturgica del santo è stata fissata al 9 marzo, mentre per la Famiglia
Salesiana e per le diocesi piemontesi è stata posta al 6 maggio, in quanto
l’anniversario della morte cadrebbe in Quaresima.
SOURCE : https://www.causesanti.va/it/santi-e-beati/domenico-savio.html
Chiesa
di San Domenico Savio, Milano
Piazza San Pietro -
Domenica, 12 giugno 1954
Se le forze del male non
cessano, nel volger dei secoli, i loro attacchi contro l'opera del Divin
Redentore, Iddio non manca di rispondere alle angosciose suppliche dei suoi
figli in pericolo, suscitando anime ricche di doni della natura e della grazia,
che siano per i loro fratelli di conforto e di aiuto. Quando si affievolisce
nella coscienza degli uomini la cognizione delle verità salutari, oscurate
dagli allettamenti dei beni terreni, quando lo spirito di rivolta e di orgoglio
suscita contro la Chiesa persecuzioni subdole o violente, in mezzo alle
miserie, sempre presenti, delle anime e dei corpi, la Divina Provvidenza chiama
sotto il vessillo della Croce di Cristo eroi di santità, irradianti splendori
di purezza verginale e di carità fraterna, per sovvenire a tutte le necessità
delle anime e mantenere nella sua integrità il fervore delle virtù cristiane.
1. - La vita di coloro
che oggi la Chiesa glorifica è tutta compresa nelle parole del Salmista:
« Angustia et tribulatio venerunt super me, mandata tua deliciae meae
sunt » (Ps. 118, 143). A Pietro-Luigi-Maria Chanel toccò l'onore
di essere il primo a versare il sangue per la fede in Oceania. Aveva appena
compiuto il sacrificio della sua vita nell'isola di Futuna, fino allora
indocile alla grazia, che immantinente si levò una messe ricca al di là di ogni
previsione. Il suo viaggio terrestre egli lo trascorse nella umiltà, nella
dolcezza, la pazienza, la carità, attingendo il meglio delle sue energie
spirituali nell'amore ardente e delicato per la Vergine Maria. « Aimer Marie et
la faire aimer »: fu il voto più fervido e il programma degli anni della sua
preparazione al sacerdozio. Ordinato prete, egli cominciò col prodigare senza
risparmio le forze fisiche, che la natura assai parcamente gli concedeva, per ricondurre
alle pratiche religiose il piccolo gregge affidato alle sue cure. Ma la sua
anima aspirava alla perfezione totale e alle fatiche delle missioni presso
gl'infedeli. Così risolse di unirsi al gruppo da poco costituito della Società
di Maria, che, riconoscendo nella Regina del cielo la loro Madre e superiora
perpetua, si adoperava a meglio attuare l'ideale della perfezione sacerdotale e
apostolica. Per quattro anni egli si consacrò con una insigne dedizione, una
grande pazienza, una vigilanza umile e premurosa, alla educazione della
gioventù. Ma ben presto il suo sogno diviene una realtà. Vincendo eroicamente
le affezioni più care al suo cuore, s'imbarca per le isole dell'Oceania, ove
non era ancora penetrato il Vangelo. Chi dirà le dure prove spirituali e
fisiche, che lo attendevano in quel campo dei suoi travagli apostolici? I suoi
sforzi di adattamento alla lingua, ai costumi di quel popolo, la sterilità
apparente delle sue fatiche, l'incomprensione e la ostilità sorda o aperta, non
scuotono la costanza mirabile di lui. Forte della vigile protezione della Madre
di Dio, Pietro Chanel rivela agli indigeni stupefatti l'inesauribile carità e
la dolcezza del suo animo. L'esempio della sua vita pura e mortificata, la sua
preghiera incessante, le sue fervorose esortazioni, preparano il cammino alla
grazia divina, topo che il martire ebbe reso il suo spirito a Dio, le forze
del, male, che avevano avversato l'opera sua, prontamente cedettero, e la
Chiesa potè contare con gioia anche in quella lontana regione figli numerosi e
ferventi.
2. - Se però è necessario
di annunciare agl'infedeli il messaggio di Cristo, non è meno essenziale di
mantenere vivo l'ardore della fede nel popolo cristiano. Nella falange gloriosa
dei Santi, che questa terra romana ha dato alla Chiesa, rifulge di luce
speciale Gaspare del Bufalo. Fin dai suoi più giovani anni, la protezione
di S. Francesco Saverio sembrò ottenergli da Dio una straordinaria profusione
di doni soprannaturali. Ancora studente, esercitava assiduamente le opere di carità
e di assistenza, specialmente nell'insegnamento della dottrina cristiana ai
fanciulli e ai poveri. Sulle orme di S. Giovanni Battista De Rossi, ridonò
vigore all'Opera pia di S. Galla e fondò poco dopo l'Oratorio di S. Maria in
Vincis. Ma il suo apostolato in Roma fu interrotto dalla invasione delle truppe
napoleoniche; egli stesso, avendo rifiutato di prestare il giuramento di
fedeltà a un potere ostile ai diritti della Chiesa, soffrì l'esilio ed il
carcere. Finalmente liberato, e con tornato nella sua Roma, ricevette dal Sommo
Pontefice Pio VII l'incarico di dedicarsi alle sante missioni, destinate a
rinnovare il fervore dei fedeli nei suoi Stati dopo i disordini e i danni
prodotti dai pubblici rivolgimenti. Allora egli riprese l'idea della istituzione
di una Congregazione di Missionari sotto il titolo del Sangue Preziosissimo di
Gesù, e nonostante le contrarietà e gli ostacoli, inaugurò il 15 Agosto 1815 la
prima casa dell'Opera, che confidò amorosamente alla tutela della Santissima
Vergine. In tal guisa comincia per lui una vita di lavori incessanti; egli
percorre quasi tutte le regioni dell'Italia centrale, apportando da per tutto,
con l'esempio della sua pietà, della sua umiltà, della sua carità, la
riconciliazione e la pace, il sollievo delle miserie corporali e soprattutto
spirituali. Al tempo stesso egli dava sagge Regole all'Istituto, ed esclamando:
Paradiso, paradiso! si sottraeva ad ogni offerta di dignità ecclesiastiche,
desiderando di rimanere sino alla morte « sul palco », vale a dire nel campo
della sacra predicazione, fiducioso com'era di ricevere in tal guisa più
facilmente e senza indugio il premio eterno. Ed il Signore accolse la sua
preghiera che la morte lo colpisse in mezzo alle fatiche dell'apostolato;
ond'egli lasciò ai suoi figli un mirabile modello di uno zelo eroico che
generosamente s'immola per il più gran bene delle anime.
3. - Ma se Iddio domanda
sovente ai suoi eletti d'intraprendere grandi opere per la sua gloria, vuole
altresì che essi sappiano soffrire nella ubbidienza e nel silenzio. Ed invero
non si richiede minor generosità per resistere saldamente in mezzo al naufragio
e preparare con tenacia l'ora in cui tornerà a regnare la pace. Quando la
Compagnia di Gesù fu espulsa dal Regno di Spagna, Giuseppe Pignatelli si
era già guadagnato la stima dei suoi Superiori con la elevatezza del suo
spirito, l'ingegnosa sua carità verso i poveri e i condannati a morte,
l'autorità della sua persona che gli permetteva di calmare le sedizioni
popolari. La nobiltà del sangue avrebbe potuto ispirargli l'amore delle umane
grandezze; ma Iddio aveva posto in lui i germi di una gloria più nobile e
santa. Incaricato già della cura spirituale e temporale dei proscritti,
sopportò egli stesso con mirabile serenità e pazienza, e aiutò i suoi miseri compagni
a tollerare i peggiori disagi, e giri alla ricerca di un rifugio, senza trovare
un tranquillo ricovero e sollievo, ma sforzandosi di mantenere da per tutto il
fervore dello spirito religioso negli sventurati confratelli a lui affidati.
Allorchè finalmente fu ottenuto un soggiorno più stabile, egli si diede a una
vita di preghiera, di lavoro e di carità, e appena spuntò l'alba della
risurrezione della Compagnia di Gesù, si adoperò a raccoglierne i membri
dispersi, a formare nuove reclute, a ristabilire nella sua integrità il genere
di vita e lo spirito tradizionale dell'Ordine. In tal guisa Giuseppe Pignatelli
preparava il rinnovamento della inclita Società, a cui sempre rimase
indefettibilmente unito; egli restauratore in Italia e nello spirito secondo
padre della Compagnia di Gesù, egli il più insigne legame che al di là della
soppressione la ricollega alle sue origini.
4. - Mentre i tre eroi
che abbiamo teste commemorati avevano profuso tutte le loro virili energie nel
duro combattimento contro le forze del male, ecco apparire al nostro sguardo
l'immagine di Domenico Savio, gracile adolescente, dal corpo debole, ma
dall'anima tesa in una pura oblazione di sè all'amore sovranamente delicato ed
esigente di Cristo. In una età così tenera si attenderebbe di trovare piuttosto
buone e amabili disposizioni di spirito, e invece si scoprono in lui con
stupore le vie maravigliose delle ispirazioni della grazia, una adesione
costante e senza riserva alle cose del cielo, che la sua fede percepiva con una
rara intensità. Alla scuola del suo Maestro spirituale, il grande Santo Don
Bosco, egli apprese come la gioia di servire Dio e di farlo amare dagli altri
può divenire un potente mezzo di apostolato. L'8 dicembre 1854 lo vide elevato
in una estasi di amore verso la Vergine Maria, e poco dopo egli riuniva alcuni
suoi amici nella « Compagnia dell'Immacolata Concezione », affine di avanzare a
gran passi nel cammino della santità e di evitare anche il minimo peccato. Egli
incitava i suoi compagni alla pietà, alla buona condotta, alla frequenza dei
Sacramenti, alla recita del Santo Rosario, alla fuga del male e delle
tentazioni. Senza lasciarsi intimorire da cattive accoglienze e da risposte
insolenti, interveniva con fermezza, ma caritatevolmente, per richiamare al dovere
gli sventati e i perversi. Colmato già in questa vita della familiarità e dei
doni del dolce Ospite dell'anima, ben presto lasciò la terra per ricevere, con
la intercessione della celeste Regina, il premio del suo filiale amore.
5. - Associata alla gloria
di cosi illustri Confessori, una Vergine insigne per il suo amore alla
Croce, Maria Crocifissa Di Rosa, di famiglia patrizia bresciana, canta
anch'ella gli splendori dello Sposo divino. Era appena piamente spirata la sua
madre terrena, che, ad imitazione di S. Teresa di Gesù, ella si rifugia nelle
braccia della Madre celeste. Alla scuola delle Religiose della Visitazione,
approfondisce sempre più la sua solida pietà, animata da un desiderio intenso
di soffrire per Gesù Cristo e di esercitarsi in una incessante pratica della
mortificazione e della carità. Ella rinunzia ad ogni vanità, ad ogni esigenza
della moda, ad ogni spettacolo mondano, ad ogni indulgenza verso la natura, ad
ogni offerta di nozze terrene; si occupa delle ragazze e delle donne del popolo,
sopporta pazientemente le critiche, specialmente dei libertini delusi, e si
compiace di distribuire ai bisognosi i beni di cui dispone. Quando nel 1836 il
colera imperversò su Brescia, ella diede libero corso alla sua eroica
abnegazione nel servizio dei colerosi e attrasse anche altre sue coetanee al
medesimo arduo e pericoloso ufficio. Sostenuta dalla sollecitudine del suo
direttore spirituale, la nostra Santa, cessato il flagello, continuò
nell'Ospedale femminile di Brescia a dedicarsi all'assistenza delle malate ed
abbandonate, e ben presto la pia collaborazione di queste anime generose si
trasformò in opera stabile: le « Ancelle della Carità » prenderanno ormai a
loro intiero carico il servizio di sanità dell'Ospedale di Brescia e ben presto
anche altre benefiche attività. Superati gli ostacoli che avevano attraversato
l'opera nascente, la soavissima ed instancabile apostola vide nelle
disposizioni della Provvidenza la conferma del cielo ai suoi sforzi; ma
supplicava che le croci non cessassero e le persecuzioni e le prove non le
fossero risparmiate. Ed infatti, pur manifestando nella sua azione di
fondatrice le più belle qualità d'intelligenza e di volere, ella soffrirà con
grande coraggio i dolori fisici, e soprattutto le angosce dell'anima, le tenebre
indicibili che lo scatenato spirito del male si sforza, ma invano, di far
pesare su di lei. Un'ardente preghiera sgorgava allora dalle sue labbra: « Gesù
mio! Tu solo mi basti. La mia vita sia crocifissa con Te ». In tal guisa dalla
profondità di una vita spirituale tutta conforme alla Croce scaturì un'Opera
originale e completa, che abbraccia tutte le forme di ospitalità e di
assistenza, e prospera in eminenti frutti di carità e di virtù.
Tali sono, Venerabili
Fratelli e diletti figli, appena adombrate, l'eroiche azioni di questi apostoli
e di questi fondatori, che lo Spirito Santo ha plasmati per la continuazione
dell'opera di Cristo. Essi intessono insieme una maravigliosa corona alla
Vergine Maria, che li ha adornati coi suoi eletti favori e si è compiaciuta di
accogliere i loro fedeli servigi. Si degnino questi nuovi principi del cielo
ottenere a tutti coloro che esultano oggi per la loro gloria, la grazia di
seguire le loro orme e di bruciare come essi di amore per Gesù, che li ha
redenti col proprio sangue, e per la sua purissima e santissima Madre.
*Discorsi e Radiomessaggi di Sua Santità Pio XII, XVI,
Sedicesimo anno di Pontificato, 2 marzo 1954 - 1° marzo 1955, pp. 55 - 60
Tipografia Poliglotta Vaticana
Copyright © Dicastero per
la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Chiesa di San Domenico Savio, Milano
Chiesa
di San Domenico Savio, Milano
Chiesa
di San Domenico Savio, Milano
DOMENICO Savio, santo
di Giuseppe
Pignatelli
Dizionario Biografico
degli Italiani - Volume 40 (1991)
Nacque a Riva presso
Chieri (Torino) il 2 apr. 1842, secondogenito di Carlo Savio e di Brigida
Gaiato.
Il padre, un contadino
originario di Mondonio in provincia di Asti (oggi Mondonio San Domenico Savio),
si era trasferito nel 1841 a Riva, dove esercitò il mestiere di fabbro (in
particolare di maniscalco), arrotondando il reddito familiare lavorando
talvolta come bracciante nelle campagne. Nel 1844 la famiglia, per trovare
migliori occasioni di lavoro, si stabili a Murialdo, a pochi chilometri di
distanza.
D. crebbe in un ambiente
fervorosamente religioso e fin dai cinque anni cominciò a frequentare la locale
cappellania retta da don Giovanni Zucca, poi suo maestro di scuola nelle due
classi elementari (prima inferiore e prima superiore) uniche esistenti nella
frazione. Oltre che per la religiosità (gli fu permesso di accostarsi alla
prima comunione a sette anni, mentre allora era uso non farla prima dei
dieci-dodici), si distinse per il profitto. Poiché era di gracile complessione
fisica, e quindi inadatto ai lavori manuali, i genitori decisero di fargli
continuare gli studi: dapprima ripetette a Murialdo la classe gia superata, poi
cominciò a frequentare la scuola municipale di Castelnuovo d'Asti (oggi
Castelnuovo Don Bosco), percorrendo giornalmente a piedi - tra andata e ritorno
- circa 20 chilometri.
All'inizio del 1853 la
famiglia Savio ritornò a Mondonio. Qui D. poté frequentare le scuole locali,
dove ebbe per maestro Giuseppe Cugliero. Questi, compaesano di don Giovanni
Bosco, pensò di presentarlo all'educatore salesiano. L'incontro avvenne ai Becchi
di Murialdo il 2 ott. 1854: don Bosco fu favorevolmente impressionato da D.
tanto da farlo entrare pochi giorni dopo (29 ottobre) nell'oratorio di
Valdocco, alla periferia di Torino, ove venivano raccolti ragazzi di famiglia
povera: chi non mostrava grandi attitudini (la maggior parte) era avviato a
imparare un mestiere, gli altri potevano frequentare la scuola di latino per
essere eventualmente destinati al sacerdozio. D. fece parte di questo secondo
gruppo e fu inviato alla scuola del prof. Giuseppe Bonzanino. nel centro di
Torino, frequentata anche da allievi appartenenti alle famiglie più
ragguardevoli della città.
Negli studi e nella vita
di relazione con i compagni, tanto a scuola quanto nell'oratorio, D. si segnalò
per la sua condotta esemplare, ma, soprattutto, assorbi la spiritualità di don
Bosco, rimanendo influenzato dalle sue prediche e anche dagli scritti che il
suo educatore pubblicava sulle Letture cattoliche: in particolare quelli
sull'Immacolata Concezione e la Vita di Luigi Comollo; altri libri che
ebbero un forte influsso su D. furono Il giovanetto ben provveduto dello
stesso don Bosco, Il tesoro nascosto nella S. Messa di Leonardo
da Porto Maurizio e L'imitazione di Cristo di Tommaso da Kempis.
Iniziò ben presto un'opera di apostolato fra i compagni, condotta con carità ma
con rigore, pur svolta sempre secondo le regole non scritte dell'oratorio che
raccomandavano la semplicità di vita e l'allegria. Qualche momento di
misticismo estatico rimase allora noto soltanto a don Bosco, che dirà poi di
aver scorto in D. segni di doni carismatici straordinari. L'unico avvenimento
esterno degno di nota fu l'aver promosso la costituzione - insieme con i
compagni G. Bongioanni, G. Cagliero, C. Durando e M. Rua - della Compagnia di
Maria Immacolata, una sorta di associazione segreta con il fine di esercitare
un'opera di apostolato fra i compagni, tanto con l'esempio quanto con l'opera
di convinzione individuale. D. ne compilò il regolamento, sottoposto poi a don
Bosco per l'approvazione, che aveva al primo punto "una rigorosa
obbedienza ai superiori": la compagnia sarà il primo nucleo della
Congregazione salesiana.
La salute di D. non resse
a lungo. Gia nell'estate del 1856 si ebbero i primi segnali della oscura
malattia (un medico diagnosticò: "La sua gracile complessione, la
cognizione precoce, la continua tensione di spirito, sono come lime che gli
rodono insensibilmente le forze vitali": in Salotti, p. 172) che doveva
condurlo a morte precoce.
Tornato a Valdocco
nell'autunno 1856 per frequentare il corso di umanità (IV ginnasio), alla fine
del febbraio seguente la malattia aveva fatto ancora progressi, tanto da
consigliare il suo ritorno in famiglia a Mondonio. Qui morì il 9 marzo 1857.
Se il comportamento
edificante tenuio sempre da D. continuò a essere ricordato dopo la sua morte da
parenti e conoscenti, la fama presso un più vasto pubblico si dovette alla
biografia che don Bosco scrisse subito dopo la sua morte e che venne pubblicata
nel 1859 nelle Letture cattoliche. La Vita era fin dall'inizio
costruita sullo schema agiografico in uso nei lavori preparatori dei processi
di canonizzazione: non mancava una rassegna di eventi miracolosi
verificatisi post mortem in favore di quanti avevano chiesto
l'intercessione di Dornenico. Giovanni Bosco - che, in un periodo in cui in
Italia aveva avuto inizio la rivoluzione industriale, aveva creato una sorta di
"pedagogia del proletario" adatta alle nuove esigenze della società -
riteneva importante proporre ai giovani un esempio di santità non
straordinaria, facilmente imitabile, secondo il principio della "via della
santità vissuta nella vita reale e per mezzo di essa"; in questo progetto
D. diventava il modello ideale per chi insegnava "a farsi santi in una
vita d'intenso lavoro e di dedizione quotidiana alle opere di minore
appariscenza, agli obblighi di una vita che non conosce quasi nulla
dell'apparato della grande ascesi" (Caviglia, p. 101).
Per molti anni il culto
verso D. rimase confinato in ambito locale e negli oratori salesiani. Dopo la
morte di don Bosco, nel 1895, il salesiano Stefano Trione richiamò l'attenzione
su questa figura, adoperandosi per l'apertura della causa di beatificazione.
Nel 1908 fu iniziato a Torino il processo ordinario informativo sulla vita,
virtù, fama di santità e miracoli; il 10 febbr. 194, con il favore di Pio X,
ebbe inizio il processo apostolico, ma dopo la morte di questo papa la causa
non fece grandi progressi. Soltanto dopo la beatificazione di Giovanni Bosco
(1929), sotto il pontificato di Pio XI, il 9 luglio 1933 D. fu proclamato
venerabile.
Dopo un altro periodo di
stasi, nell'ultimo dopoguerra, in un contesto storico che richiedeva un modello
di apostolato da offrire alla gioventù cattolica, in anni in cui la
mobilitazione dei giovani era attivamente perseguita contro la diffusione delle
organizzazioni di massa di movimenti giudicati antireligiosi (si pensi alle
adunate dei "berretti verdi" in piazza S. Pietro), la causa di D.
fece progressi rapidissimi: il 5 marzo 1950 Pio XII lo proclamava beato e il 12
giugno 1954 santo.
Fonti e Bibl.: Acta
Apostolicae Sedis, VI (1914), pp. 14 ss.; XXV (1933), pp. 349 ss.; XLII (1950),
pp. 242-247; XLVI (1954), pp. 335 s.; G. Bosco, Vita del giovanetto S. D. allievo
dell'oratorio di S. Francesco di Sales..., Torino 1859; C. Salotti, D. S., Torino 1915; A. Caviglia, S. D. e don Bosco..., in G.
Bosco, Opere e scritti editi e inediti, IV, Torino 1942 (il volume
contiene con numerazione a parte anche l'edizione critica della Vita di S. D....); Il
ragazzo santo. S. D. S. visto da oratori, scrittori, giornalisti,
Colle Don Bosco 1954; L. Castano, S. D. S. allievo di s. Giovanni
Bosco, Torino-Milano-Genova 1954; A. Murari, D., l'eroe della volontà,
Colle Don Bosco 1957; G. Alessi, S. D. s., in Discorsi religiosi, Palerino
1959, pp. 10-131; E. Valentini, in Bibliotheca sanctorum, IV, Roma 1964,
coll. 742 s.; L. Aubry, Come essere educatori cristiani. L'arte di
far rivivere D. S. nei ragazzi di oggi, Torino [1976]; Enc. cattolica, ad
vocem.
© Istituto della
Enciclopedia Italiana fondata da Giovanni Treccani - Riproduzione riservata
SOURCE : https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/santo-domenico-savio_(Dizionario-Biografico)/
.JPG)
Den hellige Dominikus
Savio (1842-1857)
Minnedag: 9. mars
Den hellige Dominikus
Savio (it: Domenico) ble født den 2. april 1842 i sognet San Giovanni i Riva
nær Chieri i provinsen Torino i regionen Piemonte i Nord-Italia. Han var den
andre av ti barn av fattige foreldre, smeden Carlo Savio og sydamen Brigida
Agagliate. Som syvåring mottok den fromme gutten sin første kommunion, til
tross for at dette på den tiden vanligvis skjedde etter at barna var fylt tolv
år. Med et barns håndskrift, men med en voksen manns besluttsomhet skrev
Dominikus sitt livsmotto på en papirlapp: La morte, ma non peccati («Heller
dø enn synde!») Han vokste opp i Morialdo, og da han var ti år gammel, flyttet
familien til Mondonio, en del av Castelnuovo d’Asti (i dag Castelnuovo Don Bosco),
som var Don Boscos fødested.
Dominikus var elsket av
sine kamerater og lærere på grunn av sitt gode humør og sin evne til å
gjengjelde ondt med godt. Han ønsket å bli prest, og da den hellige Johannes Don Bosco begynte
å lære opp ungdommer for å hjelpe seg i arbeidet blant forsømte gutter i
Torino, ble Dominikus anbefalt av sin sogneprest. Ved intervjuet gjorde gutten
et dypt inntrykk på Don Bosco. Som tolvåring begynte Dominikus den 29. oktober
1854 på det berømte St. Frans av Sales-oratoriet, en slags internatskole som
Don Bosco hadde grunnlagt i Valdocco ved Torino. Under hans veiledning virker
det som Dominikus raskt utviklet en åndelig modenhet som var sjelden for en på
hans alder, og han var en av dem som Don Bosco håpet å lære opp til medarbeider
i sitt arbeid og bli prest. Don Boscos klokskap og moderasjon hindret gutten i
å bli innbilsk eller en fanatiker.
Don Bosco insisterte på
at bønn og bot skulle kombineres med munterhet og omhyggelig utførelse av de
daglige plikter, og han forbød gutten å pålegge seg botsøvelser uten
tillatelse, for, som han sa: «Den boten Gud ønsker, er lydighet. Det er nok av
ting å takle med munterhet; varme, kulde, sykdom, andre menneskers irriterende
vaner. Det er mer enn nok botsøvelser for gutter i selve skolelivet». Likevel
fant han Dominikus skjelvende i sengen en kald kveld med alle sengeklærne av,
unntatt et tynt laken. Don Bosco: «Ikke vær gal, du får lungebetennelse».
Dominikus svarte: «Hvorfor det? Vår Herre fikk ikke lungebetennelse i stallen i
Betlehem!»
Don Bosco hadde samlet
forlatte gutter fra gatene, og de kjente livets skyggesider, men hadde ingen
opplæring i religiøs tro og praksis. Oratoriet var ikke på noen måte en
fromhetens havn, selv om Don Bosco ville at det skulle bli det gjennom
eksemplets makt og kjærlighetens kraft. Dominikus var omhyggelig med å følge
disiplinen i huset, og noen av de villere guttene likte det ikke da han ville
at de skulle bli like omhyggelige. De kalte ham en snik og ba ham «løpe og
fortelle det til Don Bosco». Dermed viste de hvor dårlig de kjente Don Bosco,
som ikke tålte sladring. Dominikus lo det bare bort.
Ellers var Dominikus godt
likt av alle i Torino. Når han overbeviste andre om å la være å synde, gjorde
han det så taktfullt at ingen kjente seg såret. En gang hørte han en kusk banne
og sverge. Dominikus spurte ham svært høflig om han kunne si ham veien til
oratoriet. Kusken svarte vennlig at han ikke kjente veien dit. Da ba gutten
mannen om han kunne gjøre ham en annen vennetjeneste. «Gjerne», svarte kusken.
Dominikus sa da: «Vær så snill ikke lenger å misbruke Guds navn». En annen gang
så han en soldat i paradeuniform som ikke ville knele ved prosesjonen på Kristi
Legemsfest. Uten et ord brettet han ut sitt rene lommetørkle på marken foran
soldaten og falt selv på kne ved siden av ham. Soldaten rødmet og fulgte hans
eksempel.
Det Dominikus ble best
husket for i oratoriet, var den gruppen han grunnla som trettenåring,
«Selskapet for Den uplettede Unnfangelse», Compagnia dell’Immacolata. De
skulle hjelpe Don Bosco i hans arbeid ved å ta på seg alle slags oppgaver, som
å feie gulvet eller ta seg av de guttene som av en eller annen grunn falt
utenfor. Da Don Bosco i 1859 dannet kjernen til det som skulle bli hans verdensberømte
kongregasjon Salesianerne (Societas Sancti Francisci Salesii [Salesiani di
Don Bosco] – SDB), var det 22 menn til stede, deriblant alle de
opprinnelige medlemmene av «Selskapet for Den uplettede Unnfangelse» – unntatt
Dominikus.
De fleste detaljene i
hans liv er kjent fra den biografien Don Bosco skrev om ham i 1859, to år etter
hans død. Han var forsiktig med å skrive noe han ikke kunne gå god for selv, og
han var spesielt forsiktig når han behandlet de åndelige fenomenene som var
knyttet til gutten, spesielt hans ekstraordinære viten – om mennesker i nød,
deres åndelige tilstand og om fremtiden. Don Bosco forteller om en gang da
Dominikus var borte hele formiddagen frem til middag. Han fant til slutt gutten
i kirkens kor, hvor han sto i en krampaktig stilling ved lesepulten, henrykket
i bønn. Han hadde vært der i seks timer, men trodde selv at morgenmessen ennå
ikke var over. Dominikus kalte disse gangene med intens bønn for «mine
distraksjoner». De overmannet ham noen ganger mens han lekte: «Det synes som om
himmelen er åpen rett over meg. Jeg er redd for å si noe eller gjøre noe som
får de andre guttene til å le».
Da Dominikus’ mor ble
syk, fikk gutten en visjon av Jomfru Maria som sa til
ham at hun ønsket å helbrede henne, så han dro hjem til Mondonio. Begge
foreldrene forsøkte å avlede ham, for en vanskelig fødsel var ikke øyeblikket
for et besøk fra en fjortenåring, men han bare omfavnet moren og hengte et
skapular eller en medalje av Vår Frue rundt halsen hennes. Selv om man hadde
fryktet det verste, fødte hun deretter uten problemer en liten jente. På
dødsleiet foreslo Dominikus til moren at skapularet ble brukt i lignende
tilfeller som hennes.
Don Bosco forteller at
Englands sak hadde en viktig plass i Dominikus’ bønner, selv om vi ikke vet
hvorfor. Den salige pave Pius IX (1846-78)
hadde i 1850 gjenopprettet hierarkiet i England, og i 1851 kom det siste store
utbruddet av anti-katolske følelser i Storbritannia (unntatt Irland). Don Bosco
forteller at Dominikus i en av sine «sterke distraksjoner» så en stor slette
dekket av tåke med en mengde mennesker som famlet omkring. Da kom det en person
i pontifikale klær med en fakkel som lyste opp hele scenen, og en stemme syntes
å si: «Denne fakkelen er den katolske tro som vil bringe lys til det engelske
folk». På Dominikus’ anmodning fortalte Don Bosco dette til pave Pius IX, som
erklærte at det bekreftet hans beslutning om å vie England sin oppmerksomhet.
Dominikus’ delikate helse
begynte å vise tegn til å svikte i 1857. Til slutt ble han så svak at han
verken orket å lese eller å leke med sine kamerater. I februar så Don Bosco at
det var best å sende ham hjem til foreldrene i Mondonio for å få
luftforandring. Gutten forsto at dette var dødsdommen. Med et smil tok han
avskjed med sine venner: «På gjensyn hos Jesus». Han fikk diagnosen
lungebetennelse, og i henhold til datidens praksis ble han behandlet med
omfattende årelating. Det synes sikkert at dette forkortet hans liv
ytterligere. Han mottok de siste sakramentene, og om kvelden den 9. mars ba han
faren om å lese bønnene for de døende. Han trøstet også sine bedrøvede foreldre
så godt han kunne. Hans siste ord var: «Kjære pappa, jeg har aldri sett noe så
vidunderlig som det jeg ser nå».
I hans korte liv hadde
han gjort selv de minste ting i lyset av sin kjærlighet til Gud. Don Boscos
biografi var et vesentlig bidrag til at hans saligkåringssak ble innledet i
Roma i 1914. Ingen tvilte på Dominikus’ ualminnelige godhet, men det var en
viss motstand mot saligkåring på grunn av hans lave alder, men den hellige
pave Pius X (1903-14)
betraktet hans unge alder som en ting som talte for saligkåring. Dette synet
seiret til slutt, men saken tok 35 år. Dominikus Savio fikk sine heroiske dyder
anerkjent i 1933 av pave Pius XI (1922-39) og fikk dermed tittelen Venerabilis («ærverdig»).
Dominikus ble saligkåret
den 5. mars 1950 og helligkåret den 12. juni 1954 (bullen var datert den 13.
juni) av den ærverdige pave Pius XII (1939-58) (to uker etter helligkåringen av
pave Pius X).
Han ble i 1960 utropt til ministrantenes vernehelgen. Hans minnedag i
Martyrologium Romanum er dødsdagen 9. mars (tidligere 6. mai). Bortsett fra
unge martyrer synes helligkåringen av en så usedvanlig ung mann å være
enestående. Han er den yngste ikke-martyr som hittil er helligkåret. Men i 2000
saligkåret den salige pave Johannes Paul II (1978-2005)
de enda yngre Francisco (11) og Jacinta (10) Marto, de visjonære barna fra Fátima
i Portugal i 1917.
Kilder: Attwater
(dk), Attwater/John, Attwater/Cumming, Farmer, Butler (III), Benedictines,
Delaney, Bunson, Ball (1), Engelhart, Schauber/Schindler, Index99, KIR, CSO,
Patron Saints SQPN, Infocatho, Bautz, Heiligenlexikon, santiebeati.it,
en.wikipedia.org, Abbaye Saint-Benoît - Kompilasjon og oversettelse: p. Per Einar Odden
Opprettet: 23. juli 1999
SOURCE : https://www.katolsk.no/biografier/historisk/domsavio
Dominicus Savio, Mondonio
d’Asti, Italië; vrome jongeman; † 1857.
Feest 9 maart &
6 mei (Nederland).
Hij werd op 2 april 1842
geboren als zoon van een smid uit het Noord-Italiaanse plaatsje Riva de Chieri,
Piemonte. Op zijn twaalfde werd hij leerling bij Don Bosco († 1888; feest 31
januari).
Deze had een tehuis voor
moeilijk opvoedbare jongens, de meesten zo van de straat geplukt. Tussen dat
publiek was Dominicus een sieraad. Al gauw was hij het lievelingetje van Don
Bosco. Geeft zoiets meestal aanleiding tot pesterijen en cynisme bij de
anderen, in dit geval was dat niet zo. Dominicus dwong respect af. Hij was
vriendelijk en voorkomend. Niemand maakte hem belachelijk als hij zich vromer
gedroeg dan de anderen, meer en aandachtiger bad in de kapel, of zelfs
oefeningen deed van boete en versterving. Niemand was jaloers als hij weer eens
de beste van de klas was.
Don Bosco had gehoopt in
hem een ideaal voorbeeld te hebben voor zijn straatjongens. Maar al gauw
kwam aan het licht dat zijn favoriete leerling leed aan tuberculose. Tijdens
zijn ziekte gaf de jongen blijk van een grote toewijding aan God. Zo jong als
hij was, hij maakte diepe indruk op zijn omgeving door de wijze waarop hij zijn
lot wist te dragen. Hij stierf op veertienjarige leeftijd. Don Bosco schreef
een levensportret van hem.
Hoewel heel anders dan
hij ooit zou hebben durven denken, had hij in Dominicus toch zijn ideaalbeeld.
Tot lang na zijn dood reikte zijn positieve invloed op de leerlingen.
Verering & Cultuur
Hij ligt begraven in de basiliek van
Maria-Hulp der Christenen in Turijn. Hij werd in 1954 heilig verklaard, reeds
vier jaar na zijn zaligverklaring. Daarmee was hij de jongste heilige
niet-martelaar.
Hij is patroon van jeugdverenigingen (vooral jongens) en jongenskoren.
[Lin.1999; Rge.2002; Waa.1985p:169; Dries van den Akker s.j./2011.11.14]
© A. van den Akker
s.j. / A.W. Gerritsen
SOURCE : https://heiligen-3s.nl/heiligen/03/09/03-09-1857-dominicus-savio.php
Bosco,
John. Memoirs of the Oratory of Saint Francis de Sales, (Daniel Lyons,
trans.) New Rochelle, New York. Don Bosco Publications, 1989. : https://web.archive.org/web/20060509112100/http://www.bosconet.aust.com/pdf/MOpart1.pdf
The
Life of Dominic Savio : http://www.traditionalcatholic.net/Tradition/Information/Saint/John_Bosco/The_Life_of_Dominic_Savio/Chapter_I.html
Voir aussi : Un jeune comme toi ! Vie de Saint Dominique Savio par le R.P. Delhaye sdb : http://www.lads.be/biographie-de-saint-dominique-savio/
