Dominic Savio was born on 2 April 1842, in Reva, Italy. His parents were financially poor. But they were able to pass on the great treasure of virtue to their children.
Dominic was naturally pious. His memory was astonishing to anyone. He memorized all the daily prayers when he was just four years old. Dominic was particularly interested in reciting each prayer at the appointed time and reminding others about praying well. One day a visitor was dining with Dominic without praying. Then he got up sadly without trying to remind him of this. He later told his parents, “I can not dine with a man who eats like animals.”
From the age of five, Dominic began helping to Holy Mass. Dominic, who received his first holy communion at the age of seven, wrote down some of his vows in his spiritual diary that day. It was these vows that led him to the path of holiness.
Dominic went to school on foot traveling 14 kilometers per day. One day a man asked him, “My child, are you not afraid to walk alone like this?” The answer was, ‘I am not alone, my guardian angel is with me.’ When he was in school, Dominic often punished himself for the sins of others.
Dominic, with a desire to become a priest, joined the Oratory conducted by Don Bosco. Bosco, realizing the sanctity of Dominic’s life, loved him very much. Dominic, who was zealous in listening to sermons and attending Bible classes, was constantly advancing in virtue. He strictly controlled the five senses, especially the eyes. Sometimes Dominic would tell his friends, “Because your two eyes are like windows, you can let a devil or an angel enter through them at will.”
On March 10, 1857, at the age of fifteen, Dominic set out for heaven.