St. Dominic Savio: A Saint for Young Catholics! (Joanne Wright) - 1/7/26

1/7/26 - St. Dominic Savio was not a monk, priest, or martyr: he was a joyful Italian teenager who believed sanctity was possible even in the noise and temptations of youth. Born in 1842, Dominic entered St. John Bosco’s Oratory of Valdocco at just 12 years old, where his cheerfulness, discipline, and deep love for God quickly set him apart. Known for his simple but demanding motto “Death, but not sin,” Dominic formed the Company of the Immaculate Conception, encouraged his classmates toward virtue, practiced frequent confession, and lived with an intense devotion to Our Lady and the Eucharist. Despite his short life, dying at only 14 years old from illness, St. Dominic Savio’s holiness left such a profound impression that St. John Bosco wrote his biography, paving the way for his canonization as one of the youngest non-martyr saints in Church history. We’ll examine how Dominic’s pursuit of holiness in everyday life challenges modern Catholics, especially young people, to aim higher, live joyfully, and take sainthood seriously.