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Prayer
through St. Dominic Savio’s Intercession
Dear Saint Dominic, you spent your short life
totally for love of Jesus and His Mother. Help youth today
to realize the importance of God in their lives. You became
a saint through fervent participation in the sacraments; enlighten
parents and children to the importance of frequent Confession
and Holy Communion. At a young age you meditated on the sorrowful
Passion of Our Lord. Obtain for us the grace of a fervent
desire to suffer for love of Him.
We desperately need your intercession to protect today's children
from the snares of the world. Watch over them and lead them
on the narrow road to Heaven. Ask God to give us the grace
to sanctify our daily duties by performing them perfectly
out of love for Him. Remind us of the necessity of practicing
virtue especially in times of trial.
Saint Dominic Savio, you who preserved your Baptismal innocence
of heart, pray for us.
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St
Dominc Savio’s Resolutions on his Communion
On day of his first communion, he chose a
motto: "Death, but not sin!" and he kept it always.
He is only seven years old when he received his First communion
but Dominic was able to make resolutions on this important
event on his life.
1. “I will go to Confession frequently and receive Holy
Communion as often as my Confessor allows.
2. I will sanctify Sundays and Holy Days.
3. My friends shall be Jesus and Mary.
4. Death, but not sin.” St. John Bosco testified that
these resolutions were his whole program of sanctity and were
faithfully kept. |
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St.
Dominic Inspiring Profile
St. Dominic Savio model of the youth in the
entire world.
"I can't do big things," St. Dominic Savio once
said, "but I want everything to be for the glory of God."
At an early age he already knew how to work for God. This
heroism in little things is the stuff of holiness.
At the age of five Dominic had already learned to serve Mass.
Neither rain nor heavy snows could keep him away from the
altar. The parish priest more than once found the boy kneeling
on the church steps, awaiting his arrival. Closer to the Eucharist
as an altar boy, he had still to wait two more years before
he was allowed to make his First Holy Communion. At the age
of seven he was admitted to the Eucharistic Banquet—a
remarkably early age for those times.
When Don Bosco was looking for young men to train as priests
for his Salesian Order, his parish priest suggested Dominic
Savio. Dominic became more than a credit to Don Bosco's school—
everyone in the school saw from the way he prayed that this
boy was different. He single-handedly organized those who
were to be the nucleus of Don Bosco's order.
At the age of twelve confided to his Confessor, St. John Bosco:
“I feel the need of becoming a saint. If I do not become
a saint, I am wasting my time. God wants me to be a saint,
and I must become one.” Then Saint John Bosco, who is
his mentor, said to him: The prescription was as follows:
“Cheerfulness always. Constant piety. Perseverant study.
Remember, Dominic, no need to get upset. ‘The Lord is
not in the whirlwind”
The formula worked magic in the heart of the boy. His holiness
overflowed in the apostolic zeal that soon manifested itself
among his companions. He exposed himself to physical danger
in order to conciliate older boys who had decided to settle
a furious quarrel with stones. His zeal to do good urged him
to found the Immaculate Conception Sodality, the purpose of
which was to draw many young boys to Christ, especially through
the frequent reception of the Sacraments and through devotion
to Our Lady.
For all that, Dominic was a normal, high-spirited boy who
sometimes got into trouble with his teachers because he would
often break out laughing. However, he was generally well disciplined
and gradually gained the respect of the tougher boys in Don
Bosco's school.
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 and
asked his father to read some prayers for him.
"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.
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| LIVES
OF THE SAINTS |
August
25
ST.
LOUIS OF FRANCE
St. Louis was born on April 25, 1214. His father was King
Louis VIII of France and his mother was Queen Blanche. The
story is told that when Prince Louis was small, his mother
hugged him tightly. 
August 26
ST.
ELIZABETH BICHIER
St. Elizabeth was born in 1773. As a little girl, her favorite
game was building castles in the sand. Many years later, this
holy French woman had to take charge of building convents
for the order of nuns she founded.
August
27
ST.
MONICA
St. Monica, the famous mother of St. Augustine, was born in
332 in Tagaste, northern Africa. She was brought up as a good
Christian. Her strong training was a great help to her when
she married the pagan Patricius.
August
28
ST.
AUGUSTINE
St. Augustine was born in Tagaste in modern Algeria on November
13, 354. This famous son of St. Monica spent many years in
wicked living and in false beliefs. He was one of the most
intelligent persons who ever lived.
August
29
BEHEADING
OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
St. John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus. His mother was
St. Elizabeth and his father was Zechariah. The first chapter
of Luke's Gospel tells of the wonderful event of John's birth.
Mark's Gospel, chapter 6:14-29, records the cruel details
of John the Baptist's death. What harsh consequences John
accepted for teaching the truth.
August
30
ST.
PAMMACHIUS
St. Pammachius was a distinguished Christian layman who lived
in the fourth century. As a young student, he had become friends
with St. Jerome. They remained friends all their lives and
kept an ongoing correspondence.
August
31
ST.
AIDAN
St. Aidan was a seventh-century Irish monk. He lived at the
great monastery of Iona, which St. Columban had founded. St.
Oswald became king of North England in 634.
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PHOTO OF THE MONTH |
Tour
of the Relics of the Passion
(International Center
for Holy Relics)
www.HolyRelics.org
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| REFLECTIONS |
 “Jesus’
Baptism”
Why did Jesus, the sinless one sent from the Father in heaven,
submit himself to John’s baptism? John preached a
baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke
3:3). In this humble submission we see a foreshadowing of
the “baptism” of Jesus bloody death upon the
cross. Jesus’ baptism is the acceptance and the beginning
of his mission as God’s suffering Servant (Isaiah
52:13-15; 53:1-12). He allowed himself to be numbered among
sinners. Jesus submitted himself entirely to his Father’s
will. Out of love he consented to this baptism of death
for the remission of our sins. Do you know the joy of trust
and submission to God?
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YOUTH
St.
Dominic Savio
is the model of all youth same with his mentor, St. John don
Bosco, the patron saint of the youth. Dominic is also 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.
Yes, Dominic was an ordinary boy with an extraordinary love
for God.
