Saint Who?
Saints Who Could Read Souls
Saint Dominic Savio
Young layman († 1857) Feast: May 6
“Innocence of life, 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” (Saint John Bosco). Bright and affable, Dominic Savio had a sincere devotion to God from an early age. He joined the Oratory school of John Bosco.
Don Bosco inspired Dominic to become a saint. “The way to be a saint, Dominic,” he told him, “is to be always cheerful, do your duties to the best of your ability, and give your classmates a good example. Keep in mind that the Lord Jesus is always with you and wants your happiness.” Dominic became a beloved presence at school. His prayer life intensified, and he had experiences where hours passed like seconds as he saw “wonderful things.”
Dominic received special intuitions for others, knowing their needs without a natural cause. Once he wakened John Bosco in the night and led him to a dying man in need of the sacraments. Another time he rushed in and told the priest he needed to leave school and visit his mother. Mrs. Savio, it turned out, was in grave danger from a difficult delivery, but she delivered the infant safely after Dominic gave her a green scapular. Dominic also knew the time of his own early death at age fourteen. He was canonized in 1954.
Kindest Father, through the prayers of Saint Dominic Savio, may we live always absorbed in you and
so be attentive to our neighbors’ deepest needs.
