216. Today’s Saint: One of Us

Posted by Eva Ulian May 06, 2010

216. Today’s Saint: One of Us

I know I said I would blog about my pilgrimage to Turin to see the Holy Shroud but as today is the feast of Domenico Savio and he was the last one on our Saints trail, there and back, I will start right here, from the end of the pilgrimage. As can be seen from the picture above Saint Domenico Savio’s father was a blacksmith and probably, his son would have been destined to follow in his father’s footsteps.

However, John Bosco who also became a saint and was the founder of the Salesians noticed the ardour of love Domenico had, even at an early age, for the Holy and thus brought Domenico to study at the Salesian school in Turin.

But Domenico never made it to the priest hood as he died of tuberculosis at the age of 14. The dates on the sign refer to the time his body was placed in this church before being moved to the main church of John Bosco.

So our first stop on the trail of this saint was to the church where he was initially buried when he died on 9 March 1857. His Feast day has since then been moved from March 9^th to May 6^th.

After which, as if restored by the youthful joy of Domenico Savio’s spirit we head upwards to the small house where he lived with his family.

The house itself is like a tiny museum containing the objects used by his father and mother at the time.

There are also pictures depicting some of the events of his life story. One in particular is noted and that is when some boys in his class accused him of having blocked the stove by filling it with snow. If the culprits were found they would be expelled and in those days, that was the end of one’s career. He did not defend himself. Hence he is noted as the patron saint of the falsely accused.

However, many women desiring to have children intercede him and they come back to thank the saint by leaving pink and blue bows and thank you notes.

There is a plaque to commemorate the corner of the bedroom where he died recalling the last words he said:

“Oh what wonderful things I see.”

Leaving the garden with a statue of the Saint ...

We make our way down the hill...

Where the President of the Pro-Loco of this town, Castelnuovo Don Bosco in Asti says goodbye to our Parish Priest and the lady Mayor of one of our parishes, Cappella Maggiore who came with us on the pilgrimage.