THE DRESS OF SAN DOMENICO SAVIO

Domenico Savio is the angelic pupil of San Giovanni Bosco, born in Riva near Chieri (Turin) on April 2, 1842, to Carlo Savio and Brigida Gaiato. He spent his childhood in the family, surrounded by the loving care of his father who was a blacksmith and his mother who was a seamstress.

On October 2, 1854 he was fortunate to meet Don Bosco, the great apostle of youth, who immediately "knew a spirit in that young man according to the spirit of the Lord and was not a little surprised, considering the work that divine grace had already operated at such an early age ».

To little Domenico who anxiously asked him:

- Well, what do you think? Will you take me with you to Turin to study?

The Holy Educator replied:

- Eh, it seems to me that there is good cloth.

- What is this fabric for? Domomenico replied.

- To make a nice dress to give to the Lord.

- So, I am the cloth, she is the tailor. Dun-que take me with you and make a nice dress for the Lord.

And on that same day the holy boy was accepted among the boys of the Oratory.

Who had prepared that "good fabric" so that Don Bosco, as an expert "tailor", would make it "a beautiful garment for the Lord"? who had placed in the heart of the Savio the bases of those virtues, above which the Saint of young people could easily build the building of holiness?

Together with the grace of God, the tools that the Lord wanted to use to possess the heart of Dommenus from the most tender years were his parents. In fact, they took care to raise him, from the cradle, in the holy Timor of God and in the love of virtue. The result of such a deeply Christian education was an ardent piety, reverberated in the diligent practice of every smallest duty and in unconditional affection for relatives.

From the paternal and maternal education drew inspiration the four famous purposes that he made, at seven years, the day of his First Communion, and which served him normally throughout his life:

1. I will confess very often and make Communion every time the confessor gives me permission.

2. I want to sanctify the holidays.

3. My friends will be Jesus and Mary.

4. Death but not sins.

The first schools ended with a happy outcome, his parents wishing to give Domenico a distinct formation, sent him to Turin from Don Bosco, to whom, by divine will, he had the glorious task of cultivating and maturing in he the germs of goodness, making them a model of pity, purity and apostolate, for all the boys of the world.

"It is God's will that we make ourselves saints": the Holy Educator said to him one day that made holiness consist in a healthy joy, blossomed by the grace of God and by faithful observance of one's duties.

"I want to make myself a saint": was the answer of the little great giant of the spirit.

From that day the love for the Sacramented Jesus and the Immaculate Virgin, the purity of the heart, the sanctification of ordinary actions, and finally the anxiety to conquer all souls, were the supreme longing of his life.

The parents and Don Bosco were therefore, after God, the architects of this model of youthful holiness which now imposes itself on the admiration of the whole world, on the imitation of all young people, on the careful consideration of all educators.

Domenico Savio closed his short existence in Mon-donio on March 9, 1857, at only 15 years old. With her eyes fixed on a sweet vision, she exclaimed: "What a beautiful thing I ever see!"

The fame of his holiness; sealed by miracles, he re-called the attention of the Church who declared him a hero of Christian virtues on 9 July 1933; Blessed proclaimed him on March 5, 1950, Holy Year; and, four years later, in the Marian Year, he surrounded him with the halo of the Saints (June 12, 1954).

His feast is celebrated on May 6th.

THE MIRACULOUS DRESS
God wanted to reward the excellent education imparted to Dominic by his parents with a singular grace, which reveals a particular design of Providence. Oc-casione was the birth of a little sister six months before he died.

We follow the written and oral statements made by Sister Teresa Tosco Savio at trial in 1912 and in '15.

«Since I was a child - Teresa confirms - I heard something from my father, from my relatives and neighbors, which I have never forgotten.

In other words, they told me that one day (and precisely 12 September 1856, the feast of the Holy Name of Mary) my brother Domenico, a pupil of Don Bosco, who presented himself to the saint his Director, said to him:

- Do me the pleasure: give me a day off. - Where do you want to go?

- Up to my house, because my mother is very sick, and Our Lady wants to heal her.

- How do you know?

- I know.

- Did they write to you?

- No, but I know the same.

- Don Bosco, who already knew the virtue of Dominic, gave great weight to his words and said to him:

- Let's go now. Here are the money needed for the trip to Castelnuovo (29 km); from here to go to Mondonio (2 km), you will have to go on foot. But if you find a car, you have enough money here.

And he left.

My mother, good soul - Teresa continues in her story - was in a very serious state, suffering unspeakable pain.

The women who use to lend themselves to alleviate these sufferings, no longer knew how to provide: the deal was serious. My father then decided to leave for Buttigliera d'Asti, to take Doctor Girola.

When he reached the turning point for Buttigliera, he came across my brother, who came from Mondello to Castelnuovo on foot. My frantic father asks him:

- Where are you going?

- I'm going to visit mom who is very sick. The father who at that hour would not have wanted him to Mon-donio, replied:

- Go first to the grandmother in Ranello (a small village, which is between Castelnuovo and Mondonio).

Then he left immediately, in great haste.

My brother went on to Mondonio and arrived home. The neighbors who assisted Mum were surprised when they saw him arrive and tried to keep him from going up to his mother's room, telling him that the sick woman should not be disturbed.

"I know she is sick," he replied, "and I came by post to find her."

And without listening, she went up to her mother, all alone. - How are you here?

- I heard you were sick, and I came to visit you.

The mother, forcing herself and sitting on the bed says: - Oh, it's nothing! also go below; go here to my neighbors now: I'll call you later.

- I'm going now, but first I want to hug you. Quickly jump on the bed, hug her mom tightly, kiss her and go out.

it has just come out that the pains of the mother completely cease with a very happy outcome. The father arrives shortly afterwards with the doctor, who finds nothing more to do (it was 5 pm).

Meanwhile, the neighbors, while they took a thousand thoughts around her, found a ribbon around her neck to which a piece of silk folded and sewn like a dress was attached.

Surprised, they asked how he had that dress. And she, who hadn't noticed before, exclaimed:

- Now I understand why my son Domenico, before leaving me, wanted to embrace me; and I understand why, as soon as he left me, I was happily free and healed. This little dress was certainly put around my neck as he embraced me: I had never had a similar one to this.

Domenico returned to Turin, introduced himself to Don Bosco to thank him for his permission and added:

- My mother is beautiful and healed: the Madonna I put around her neck made her heal.

When my brother finally left the Ora-thorium and came to Mondonio because he was very ill, before dying he called his mother:

- Do you remember, mom, when I came to see you while you were seriously ill? And that I left a little dress around your neck? that's what made you heal. I recommend that you keep it with all care, and lend it when you know that some of your acquaintances are in as dangerous conditions as you were at that time; because as he saved you, so will he save the three. However, I recommend that you borrow it for free, without seeking your interest.

As long as she lived, my mother always wore that dear relic, which had been her salvation. "

THE HOLY OF MOTHERS AND COTS
The baby girl was baptized the following day, with the name of Maria Caterina ("Maria" perhaps, because she was born on the feast of the Holy Name of Mary) and was the fourth of ten children, of whom Domenico was the eldest, after premature death of the firstborn.

He himself sponsored her.

God had set his gaze on the innocence of a holy boy, to entrust him with a delicate patronage task.

The prodigy operated by Domenico through the little dress of the Virgin, of which he was most devoted, reveals a sublime mission, which he inaugurated with his mother and continued, by means of that sign, to the advantage of many other mothers.

Sister Teresa herself bears witness to this in her story:

«I know that, according to the recommendation of Domici-co, my mother as long as she lived, and then the others in the family had the opportunity to lend that dress to people both from Mondonio and from other neighboring countries. We have always heard that these people had been effectively helped. "

To reward and reveal the sanctity of his great friends, the Saints, God usually works wonders through them.

Without a doubt Domenico Savio is a great friend of God, for the wonders he performed in life and especially after his death.

Therefore let the ardent prayer of all mothers to him, who is the Saint raised up by God just for them, to comfort them in their difficult mission.

To this end, the testimony of the parish priest of Castelnuovo d'Asti, Don Alessandro Allo-ra, who wrote to Don Bosco on 11 November 1859, is also appropriate:

"A woman finding herself cornered by very difficult birth, piously remembering the graces obtained by some admirer of the virtues of Savio, suddenly exclaimed:

- My Domenico! - definitely say.

Suddenly, and at that very moment, the woman was freed from those pains ... »

A NEW DRESS
The precious little dress that Domenico put on his mother's neck continues its effectiveness today through the intercession of the little Saint, in favor of Mothers and Cradles. In all the nations of the earth, many women resort to their little great Protector with lively trust.

The Salesian Bulletin reports monthly on some of the most important graces obtained through the intercession of Domenico Savio, to mothers and children.

On the occasion of the celebrations for his Canonization (1954), Domenico Savio received honorable triumphs and aroused indescribable enthusiasms in all the cities of the world. Later to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Ca-nonization (2004), Domenico Savio's Urn, which represents him as a young man and which contains his mortal remains, has wandered to Italy, from North to South, welcomed everywhere joyfully by crowds of faithful, especially young people and parents, eager to be inspired by his program of Christian life. Her lovable figure has conquered the hearts of mothers and youth.

All mothers should know the life of this holy boy and make it known to their children; entrust themselves and their children to its custody; adorn the medal and keep his image exposed in the family, so that he reminds parents of the duty to educate their children Christianly and of children to imitate his examples.

Therefore, in memory of the prodigious little dress that served to save Domenico's mother, and in order to spread more and more devotion to this privileged child and also to arouse more the trust of the devotees, the General Directorate of the Works. Since March 1956, Lesiane has made available to the mothers an artistic "dress" embellished with the image of the saint on silk.

The initiative is only a means to implore the graces of the Lord through the intercession of San Domenico Savio. Therefore it is not enough to bring the habit as if it were an amule-to: to obtain the heavenly favors it is necessary to pray with faith, to attend the Holy Sacraments of Confession and Communion, and to live Christianly.

The dress will encourage parents to be faithful to their duties, trusting in divine help, and will help inspire everyone respect and respect for their highest mission. Conclusion

The dress of San Domenico Savio has been received with extraordinary favor since the first announcement. In all parts of the world it is now known and requested by mothers who wear it with faith.

The precious dress bring the smile and blessing of San Domenico Savio to the desolate families, dry the la-crime of the mothers in pain, shower the joyful cradles of innocent children with joy. Spread light of hope and comfort in kindergartens, clinics, hospitals and maternity homes. You are among the most dear gifts to newlyweds, to infirm mothers, to children brought to Batte-simo. Protect the body from all sorts of evils and dangers. Guard souls on the way to Heaven.

THE PROMISE OF MOTHERS
San Domenico Savio is the angel of the children, whom he protects since their first bloom to life. To love children, the Saint of the cradles also blesses mothers in their difficult mission. In order to obtain Domenico Savio's protection, the mothers, in addition to the use of wearing the Saint's habit, sign and observe four "Promises".

The four Promises do not import new commitments: they only remind us of the fundamental duties of Christian education:

«Since it is my grave duty to educate children in a Christian way, from now on I entrust them to San Domenico Savio, so that he will be their protector Angel for life. For my part I promise:

1. to teach them to love Jesus and Mary with daily prayers, with participation in the festive Mass and with the frequency of the Holy Sacraments;

2. to defend their purity by keeping them away from readings, shows and bad companies;

3. to take care of their religious formation with the teaching of the Catechism;

4. not to obstruct God's plans if they feel called to the priesthood and religious life ».

THANKS TO CHAIN
Of the numerous thanksgiving relationships obtained with the use of the new Abitino, we report only a few, to the glory of San Domenico Savio and to the comfort of his devotees.

After thirteen years
We were deeply saddened: after thirteen years of marriage, our union, however humanly happy, was not delighted by the smile of a child. The knowledge, through the Salesian Bulletin, of miraculous interventions in cases of the sort of the small Saint Dominic Savio prompted us to seek advice from our Salesian parish priest Don Vincenzo di Meo, who offers us the habit. vat of the Saint, together with the libretto to begin the novena. Since then San Domenico Savio became the heavenly protector of our house. His image continually smiled at us, our prayer never ran out. However, we would never have imagined that his intervention was so powerful and immediate. The little US Renato Domenico was born between the uncontainable joy of us and of those who had followed our trepidations, named after him in honor of the Saint.

The child is doing very well and we are sure that the protection of San Domenico Savio will never abandon him; to this thought our happiness is at its peak and, as soon as possible, we will dissolve the promise to take us to thank him personally in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin.

Ortona (Chieti) Rocco AND LAURA FULGENTE

Mum of six children recovered from meningitis
I feel the need to publicly thank San Domenico Savio for the continuous and effective protection that has been explicating on my family for some time. He admirably came to my rescue as soon as I put on his little dress, when a very serious form of meningitis was about to break my young existence. Overcome with consternation for the future of my six children, my dear ones and my sister, Daughter of Maria Au-siliatrice, turned to dear Santino with great faith. Miraculously I came out unscathed from the terrible disease, which left no trace in me.

Thank you, San Domenico Savio! May your devotees hear your effective intercession with the Help of Christians!

Bari MARIA MARINELLI IN BELVISO

«Only the Lord has saved her! »

In 1961, a month before my baby was born, I was hospitalized at the San Luigi Sanatorium waiting to be operated on.

On February 6, I was the victim of a spontaneous pneumo-thorax that sent me to the end of my life. Illustrious surgeons such as professors Mariani, Zocchi and Bonelli and five other doctors around my bed gave me an hour of life. The only way of salvation that would have been possible, definitely excluded it. It was then that Sister Lucia, in confusion, approached my bed, put the dress of S. Domenico Savio around my neck and said hurriedly: «I go back there to pray; you have a lot of confidence, you will see that everything will be fine ». I held the relic in my hand and looked at the me-say smiling. Then dr. De Renzi said: "We cannot let her die: let me tempt you." And he certainly stuck a tremendous, thick and long needle in my shoulder. The air that pressed the lung came out of the needle like a tire; I stayed 12 days nailed with that needle in my shoulder with a reserved prognosis, but on March 2nd my baby was born happily and is healthy and robust. I was operated on and everything went very well. The professor. Mariani himself said to me: «This time only the Lord has saved her! ».

The whole "S. Luigi" cried to the miracle, as the chaplain of the surgical section celebrated a thanksgiving Mass.

Turin, Corso Cairoli, 14 NERINA FORNASIERO

The infection disappears quickly and without medicine
My 12-year-old daughter Anna Maria had undergone surgery that seems to have given happy results. In a few days the little girl recovered and the professor who was treating her ordered her to return to her family. Go to the hospital to get her, I found her in alarming state instead: very high February, red color in all the person and severe pain. The doctors judged it to be an infection and proceeded to reopen the wound. With renewed confidence I turned to S. Domenico Savio and put the Saint's habit around her neck. The professor smiled and ordered an abundant administration of antibiotic. But for an inexplicable forgetfulness the injection was not practiced. The professor, having returned and learned of it, became very worried, but he had to find that the fever was rapidly going down. In the morning my daughter had returned to normal. However, the professor wanted to keep her under observation for a month, during which he certainly convinced himself that healing had been a surprising gift from S. Domenico Savio.

Turin, Borgata Leumann LINA BORELLO

The little saint did not disappoint me
I had always wanted a flower to blossom that would make our union more complete. By delaying this for my precarious health, I resorted to medical science, hoping to succeed in my intent; but I was greatly disappointed.

In the meantime, a Salesian brother of mine advised me to turn to San Domenico Savio, praying him with the faith of obtaining such a signified grace, and for this purpose he sent me the little dress. Then I turned with confidence to little San-to; and Domenico did not disappoint me. In fact, after seven years of marriage, our focal point was cheered by the appearance of a small Dominic, a true gift of God.

I thank with all the outpouring of affection that the heart of a mother San Domenico Savio is capable of, recommending him to continue to protect us and promising him to spread his devotion.

Albarè of Costermano (Verona) TERESINA BARUFFA IN BORTIGNON

The intervention declared necessary did not occur
My 9-month-old Daniela, while she was playing in her cradle, swallowed an earring. Upon my arrival I noticed a few coughs and blood on the bib and I immediately noticed what had happened. Urgently transported to the nearby hospital of Sulmo-na, the primary professor declared the intervention necessary because from the X-ray the earring was open and therefore it was impossible for it to pass into the intestine. In anguish I turned with faith and trust to San Domenico Savio, of whom my little girl wore the dress, and grace was not long in coming. After twenty-six hours, to the professor's amazement, little Daniela returned the earring without any complications. I therefore keep my promise to publish the grace and send a modest offer so that those in need can confidently resort to San Domenico Savio, certain that they will not do so in vain.

Scanno (L'Aquila) ROSSANA FRONTEROTTA IN BARBERINI

Happy spouses after fifteen years of marriage
We had lost all hope: in therefore-there years nothing had been worth giving us the joy of a son. We were now resigned to the exhausting situation of being alone forever. Having confided our punishment to a sister of mine, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, she advised us to make a novena to St. Dominic Savio with faith, wearing her dress and promising to publish the grace, to add the name Dominic and to send an offer. And the miracle came. On June 12, 1962, a beautiful boy named Vito Domenico came into the world. S. Dome-nico Savio brought happiness to our home.

Aprilia (Latina) Spouses of ANTONA LUIGI and FERRERI FINA

My heavenly Protector had made the miracle
On December 27, 1960 the twins Luigi and Maria Luisa were born; my body, overwhelmed by exhaustion and boring ailments and further aggravated by a form of incipient nephritis, was about to succumb to such discomfort, and I was attacked by a serious form of exhaustion. Under these conditions I had to face the task of breastfeeding babies.

Entrust me to San Domenico Savio, I put his little dress around my neck. The following morning I felt greatly improved, my headache passed, my energy returned, and I was able to cope with the situation.

The doctor never tired of repeating that and I had done miracles A. My celestial Protector had done the miracle. Therefore, my greatest gratitude goes publicly to him.

Schio (Vicenza) OLGA LOBBA

With the little girl, pardon the parents
There was no longer any hope of saving our little Milva, only 40 days old, suffering from strong double otitis with complications of septicemia, bronchial pneumonia and gastroenteritis. My husband and I, who are there. we were a little far from the Church, we decided to invoke S. Domenico Savio, who in the past had given us another grace. We took the dress to the hospital, to the bedside of the little girl and prayed with great faith, together with other relatives, promising that if she tore the little girl from death, we would no longer be missed at Holy Mass on Sunday . Now our Milva is at home healed, thanks to the Saint, and we also fulfill the other promise to have a Mass celebrated at the altar of S. Domenico Savio and to communicate to us in his honor. Turin Spouses GIUFFRIDA The faith of two spouses rewarded A year and a half ago, a cousin of mine spoke to me about S. Domenico Savio and his mi-raculous little dress. Desiring that our home be gladdened by the presence of a few children, I prayed with great faith to the dear Saint who would make me happy after 9 years of marriage. I immediately got the dress and did the novena many times. Finally a flower has blossomed, our little Domenico, which has brought happiness to our family.

Castrofilippo (Agrigento) Spouses CALOGERO and LINA AUGELLO

The first and only effective drug
For a year my daughter Giuseppina had suffered from polio in her right leg. The specialists did not spare treatment and remained in the Palermo hospital for four months. But everything was ineffective. One day, in reading the Salesian Bulletin, I was impressed = born from the graces attributed to San Domenico Savio. A living faith ignited in my soul. A daughter of Mary Help of Christians of my acquaintance gave me a dress with the re-liquia of the Saint. I had my daughter put it on and with unshakeable faith I started a novena. At the end of it the girl took the first steps: it had been the first and only effective drug for her.

Most grateful for the grace received from the little great Saint, I send an offer.

Scaletta (Cuneo) MARIA NAPLES

It was reduced to a living skeleton
For over a year I have suffered from a pituitary dysfunction, resistant to all the most prudent and loving treatments. Practically reduced to a living skeleton, I was hospitalized several times in several hospitals and lastly in Molinette. A good person sent me a dress from San Domenico Sa-vio and asked him for my recovery. From that day a progressive improvement began and in a few months I returned to the flourishing of the past. Gratefully, I point out the grace obtained and I promise particular devotion to the Saint.

Miani (Treviso) BRUNA LOCK

In contact with the dress begins to improve
Our little pupil from the 3 year old Barbi-sotti Elisabetta kindergarten was suddenly seized by sharp abdominal pains last January. Emergency flow to the Polyclinic, prof. Donati, head of the surgery department, found an intestinal valve. For this reason it was operated immediately with a reserved prognosis. The operating professor and all the professors present at the difficult opera-torio act claimed that this was a very serious fact, of which 95% of those affected succumbed. The girl stayed between death and life, several days. We brought the little dress of St. Dominic Savio to the desperate mother and put forward prayers. In contact with the dress, the girl began to improve and is now on the mend. Grateful parents send offerings, invoking the little saint to continue his assistance on their little Elizabeth.

Pavia The Director of the M. Ausiliatrice Institute

Healing surprised everyone
At one month of age our little Paolo suddenly had a strangulated hernia. Many doctors visited him: they all shook their heads, also because they were born prematurely. The evening was approaching and the danger of losing him was near. Finally a surgeon from the hospital said, "Let's try the operation, there is one chance in a hundred, it's so small, it dies so much ...

Before they took him to the operating room, we put the dress of San Domenico Savio around his neck and, left alone, we prayed intently.

The operation went well and after three days of anguish our Paolo was declared out of danger. The recovery surprised everyone and was considered a true miracle.

Montegrosso d'Asti AGNESE and SERGIO PIA

A unique case, more than rare
On the afternoon of Christmas '61, Mrs Rina Carnio in Vedovato, seized with sudden pains, was transported to Mestre at the "Sabina" clinic. She entered the operating room at 15pm, and went out after 19,30pm. First the son saw the light, the first after 13 years of marriage, and then the mother was saved. Over six months of suffering and pain had passed, so all the treatments had proved useless. The son was born in circumstances that doctors have unanimously claimed not to have occurred for decades and that will be the subject of a medical report. The case was also dealt with by doctors from the nearby University of Padua. Local newspapers wrote about it for a long time. The Primary and his assistants, after leaving the operating room, after so long a stay, exclaimed: «Not us, but something else has guided our work: The one who has kept his mother and son alive until today, when both, according to the laws of nature, they should have been long dead. "

A few days ago, Signora Rina, whom I questioned, said to me: «Given that every treatment was useless, I asked for a dress from San Domenico Savio and I recommended myself to him. Entering the operating room, I prayed that the dress would be left to me and when I woke up I still had it in my hand and, as then, I carry it around my neck and always carry it. To those who ask me who protected me, I answer: San Domenico Savio ».

Mom and son are in good health.

Scorzè (Venice) SAC. GIOVANNI FABRIS

Two beautiful healings
The gold chain enclosed here testifies to the gratitude to San Domenico Savio of the gentlemen Mandelli for the miraculous healing of his three year old son Giovanni, who attends our kindergarten. Operated with tonsils, he ran the serious danger of succumbing to the number-se and heavy bleeding that followed. Only after the appeal to San Domenico Savio with the prayer and the imposition of the dress, the little Giovanni considered the transfusions and recovered.

The offer, on the other hand, is from the Brambilla family for the successful, unexpected recovery of the two-year-old Maria Luisa daughter who attended our "Marzotto Foundation" nest. Affected by meningitis, it worsened so much that the doctors had already declared it passed off. She resorted to San Domenico Savio, imposed her dress on her and got her recovered.

Brugherio (Milan) SISTER MARIA CALDEROLI

After twenty-two years of waiting
I have been married for 22 years. Four times I had the gift of a creature from God, but each time they died with great pain from my husband and mine, because we wanted so much a child who would cheer our house. A lady, Salesian Cooperator, told me about San Domenico Savio advising me to always take the little Saint's dress with me and to invoke him with such confidence. And here, despite the alarmist forecasts that were renewed as in the previous cases, San Domenico Savio has obtained a splendid grace from the Lord and today a flower of a girl in excellent health brightens our house and is a living testimony that dear Santino has performed the miracle. This is why I will not cease to pray to him and to spread his devotion.

Ca 'de Stefani (Cremona) GIACOMINA SANTINI ZELIOLI

On the wedding anniversary day
For a long time we sighed a son who cheered our union. Many years had passed since the day of our marriage and it seemed to us impossible to be fulfilled, when one day one of our acquaintances, mother of a Salesian priest, came. he spoke of San Domenico Savio and showed us a Salesian Bulletin where there were reports of graces obtained through his intercession and made us have a little Saint's habit. We invoked him with fervor and San Domenico Savio answered us: after eight years of waiting, on the anniversary of our wedding, a beautiful baby girl was born, a gift from the good God, who even now, after two years, is in perfect health.

Liviera di Schio (Vicenza) CONJUGES DE RIGO

LET US PRAY SAN DOMENICO SAVIO
Ninth
1. O Saint Dominic Savio, who in the Eucharistic fervor entranced your spirit to the sweetness of the real presence of the Lord, so as to be enraptured by it, you also obtain for us your faith and your love in the Most Holy. Sacramento, so that we can adore Him with fervor and worthily receive Him in Holy Communion. Pater, Ave and Gloria.

2. O Saint Dominic Savio, who in your continued devotion to the Immaculate Mother of God, you consecrated her innocent heart in time, spreading her cult with filial piety, ensure that we too are devoted children, for to have Her Help of Christians in the perils of life and in the hour of our death. Pater, Ave and Gloria.

3. O Saint Dominic Savio, who in the heroic purpose: "Death, but not sins", ser-basti illibate angelic purity, also obtains for us the grace to imitate you in the escape of bad amusements and occasions of sin, to preserve this beautiful virtue every time. Pater, Ave and Gloria.

4. O St. Dominic Savio, who for the glory of God and for the good of souls, despising every human respect, committed a bold apostolate to combat blasphemy and

God's offense also impels upon us the victory over human respect and zeal for the defense of the rights of God and the Church. Pater, Ave and Gloria.

5. O Saint Dominic Savio, who appreciating the value of Christian mortification, hardened your will in good, also helps us to dominate our passions, and to sustain the trials and contrarieties of life, for the love of God Pater, Ave and Gloria.

6. O Saint Dominic Savio, who attained the perfection of Christian education through docile obedience to your parents and educators, ensure that we too correspond to the grace of God and are all faithful to the Magisterium of the Church. catholic. Pater, Ave and Gloria.

7. O Saint Dominic Savio, who I am not content to make you an apostle among your companions, you sighed for the return of the separated and errant brothers to the true Church, you also obtain for us the missionary spirit and make us apostles in our environment and in the world : Pater, Ave and Gloria.

8. O Saint Dominic Savio, who in the heroic fulfillment of your every duty, was a model of tireless work sanctified by prayer, grant us too, that in the observance of our duties we commit ourselves to living a life of exemplary piety . Pater, Ave and Gloria.

9. O San Domenico Savio, who with the firm purpose: "I want to make myself a saint", at Don Bosco's school, you reached the splendor of holiness when you were still young, you also obtain perseverance in our intentions for good, to make the soul ours is the living temple of the Holy Spirit and one day deserve eternal bliss in Heaven. Pater, Ave and Gloria.

Now pro nobis, Sancte Dominice!

Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.

OREMUS
Deus, here in Sancto Domenico mirabile a-dulescentibus pietatis ac puritatis exemplar dedisti: concede propitius, ut eius interces-sione et exemplo, casto corpore et mundo corde, tibi serve valeamus. For Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Translation:

LET'S PRAY
O God, who in San Domenico gave adolescents an admirable model of piety and purity, grant propitious, that, through his intercession and example, we can serve you chaste in the body and worlds in the heart. For our Lord Jesus Christ ...

Expectant mother's prayer
Lord Jesus, I pray with love for this sweet hope that I enclose in my womb. You have given me the immense gift of a small living life in my life: I thank you humbly for having chosen me as the instrument of your love - In this gentle attitude, help me to live in continuous abandonment to your will. Give me a pure, strong, generous mother's heart. I offer you worries about the future: anxieties, fears, desires for the little creature that I don't yet know. Let her be born healthy in the body, away from her all physical evil and every danger to the soul.

You, Mary, who knew the ineffable joys of a holy motherhood, give me a heart capable of transmitting a living and ardent Faith.

Sanctify my expectation, bless this happy hope of mine, make the fruit of my womb sprout in virtue and holiness through Your work and your divine Son. So be it.

Prayer
O San Domenico Savio, who at the school of Don Bosco became an admirable example of Christian viru, teach me to love Jesus with your fervor, the Holy Virgin with your purity, the souls with your zeal; and let me imitate you in the purpose of making myself holy, know how you prefer death to sin, in order to be able to reach you in the eternal happiness of Heaven. So be it!

San Domenico Savio, pray for me!

Domenico Savio's prayer to Maria Santissima
«Maria, I give you my heart; make it always yours. Jesus and Mary, be always my friends! But, for pity's sake, make me die rather than have the misfortune of committing a single sin "

MONTHLY MEMORY
It is useful to commemorate San Domenico Savio on the 9th of each month, in memory of 9 March 1857, the day of his blessed transit from earth to heaven; or on the 6th, the day commemorating his feast which occurs on May 6th. Prostrate before the image of the saint, a short reading is made about his life and the no-vein or some other prayer is recited in his honor. It ends with the ejaculatory: San Dome-nico Savio, pray for us!

THE «FRIENDS OF DOMENICO SAVIO»
They are young people aged 6 to 16 who want to be cheerful and good like S. Domenico Sa-vio.

They promise:

1) to love Jesus and Mary with daily prayers, with the frequency of the festive Mass and the Holy Sacraments;

2) to preserve purity with the escape of idleness, companions, bad shows and newspapers;

3) to do good to your companions especially with a good example.

There are also the Beniamini di Domenico Savio (children under 6 years) and the Benefactors of the ADS Movement

They are all entitled to the monthly newspaper and to the celebration of 12 Ss. Annual masses. They make an annual offer.

Mothers, if you want to see your affectionate and obedient children grow up, encourage them to join the "Amici di Domenico Savio" Movement.

Contact the "Amici di Domeni-co Savio" Center, Via Maria Ausiliatrice 32, Turin.

THE HOLY MOTHER OF A HOLY BOY
When is the canonization of a mother? In the last few years, among the Saints and Blesseds who have ascended to Bernini's glory, we have seen the Sisters, Founders of religious families, martyrs parading. Certainly all admirable, like every Saint of God! But as we would like to see, at least sometimes, the face of a Saint "bride and mother", from which more lively and decisive lights would radiate for our mothers, a more direct and encouraging invitation to Christian perfection, achieved in the family environment !

We know it. There is She who is valid for all: the Holy Virgin, the Immaculate Conception, the exceptional and unique Mother, who had the same Son of God as a child! And then, in the dazzling light of Mary, behind her, far away, but even closer to us, we would like to look with our raptured eyes at the face of "holy" mothers!

Of what I present to you, a book will never be written. His life is very simple and too hidden. And yet, she was the mother of a true saint, canonized in our years, of a one-of-a-kind saint: the little saint "Cdnfes-sore" Domenico Savio. How we would like to know more deeply the figure of the father and mother, of these Christian spouses on whom the glory of being forever "the geniuses of a 15-year-old Saint" has poured into the Church!

Domenico's parents

It can be said that Carlo Savio and Brigida Agagliato were authentic fervent Christians and that they had opened their hearts and focus to God. They lived in His presence, they often invoked it. The prayer opened and closed their day, rang before and after each meal, at the touch of the Angelus.

In their poverty (because without being serious, they were always poor) they accepted co-radiant and confident, as is rarely the case today, the ten children whom the Lord sent them. This would be enough to already know a lot about their soul. But Don Bosco, who knew them personally, tells us even more: "Their great concern was to give their children a Christian education". In other words, they had given their lives not their well-being or their joys, nor their tranquility, but the splendid and arduous task of making their children as authentic "children of God". In Dominic, who was already "of the Lord" in the name, they were fully fulfilled and rewarded above their desires.

However, three facts will better specify the influence of pious parents, especially of the mother, on their son: facts that prepared his holiness. Love and abandonment

He came to cheer up a "young" domestic hearth. She was a radiant 22-year-old Bri-gida Savio when she gave birth to her little Domenico, and the father was in the youthful vigor of the twenty-six years. What freshness in this Christian love! What concern and joy in the words and gestures of the mother who for the first time reveals God to "her" child!

In fact Domenico was his second son. She had had another creature, a year earlier, a

child that an illness took away only after two weeks. We can imagine the pain of this young mother in seeing the first flower of her garden wither. Sometimes we have seen a mother, before such a trial, doubt God, of his goodness! It was not so for Brigida Savio. In front of the empty cradle she said her anguished "fiat", but with full sincerity. And if we add that a few months later the two young spouses also had the anxiety of their uncertain future and were forced to emigrate to another country and the father also to change jobs, they will have the measure of their sufferings, courage and of the abandonment to Providence which prepared Dominic's new cradle. So we can better understand with what effective accent Brigida was able to speak to her child about God whom she loved and served so humbly.

Fineness and courtesy

Finally, the third fact that I intend to emphasize: she was a fine and orderly woman, one of the common people in whom the roughness of life respects the instinct of finesse and courtesy. Seamstress by profession, she prepared clothes for her family and did not tolerate tears or dirt.

This distinction of dressing also corresponded to that of behavior. The witnesses to Domenico's apostolic process are unanimous in confirming that one was enchanted by the dignity of his demeanor, for his exquisite kindness, for his naturally graceful behavior, for his enchanting smile. All this he had learned from his mother, humble and modest. commoner.

Nobody doubts that his habits of cleanliness, of grace, of finesse without refinement have favored in him the taste of an intact purity and that knowing how to live before God which is called attention to his immense and mysterious presence.

Faith alive

So here is Brigida Savio simple wife of a village worker, but full of tact and good taste, young mother but already tried by pain, here she is to train her little child in prayer. The key to early Christian education is this: after the personal example of a life faithfully oriented towards God, there is no more effective task than that of teaching a child to place himself in the presence of God, to enter into dialogue-quio-con He, to love him: that is, to listen to his word to gradually inspire all his actions. There are things that man will never learn thoroughly except from the mouth of his father or mother: it is faith in God.

And on the contrary, the absence of God in the age of the first awakenings of intelligence and heart is a huge catastrophe for a human creature, whose failures will be difficult to repair and perhaps never.

So blessed the mother of this holy boy, who with a deeply religious soul and an exquisite art knew how to introduce her son into the mystery of the presence of God and thus gave her nascent virtues a supernatural reason and support, which gave her they then flourished in an amazing, heroic way.

Christian mothers, blessed be you who have the excellent mission of forming "saints" in your children.

Salesian JOSEPH AUBRY