Every week I need to prepare a presentation on the life of a saint for the Conquest club boys here in San Jose, California. The boys’ ages range from 8 to 11 years old. I always try to choose a saint to whom they can easily relate. Last week I spoke about St Dominic Savio, who was an example of Christian virtue at a young age.
It is funny how every week I am deeply touched by the stories that I prepare for the boys. This time what struck me most was Dominic’s deep desire to become a saint.
When he was 12 years old he listened to a sermon about sainthood from his spiritual guide, St John Bosco – it changed his life. Three points called his attention:
1. That it is God’s Will for every person to become a saint.
2. That it is easy to become a saint.
3. That there is a great reward in heaven awaiting those who try to become saints.
At first, despite wanting more than anything else to be holy, the young Dominic was a little confused on the “how.” Then, St John Bosco told him, “The way to be a saint, Dominic, is to be always cheerful, do your duties to the best of your ability, and give your classmates good example. Keep in mind that the Lord Jesus is always with you and wants your happiness.”
This lesson brought me a lot of consolation, because it helped me understand that Jesus would not ask us something that we cannot accomplish. He actually gives us the tools to become saints in our daily lives: it is as easy as living cheerfully and doing our ordinary duties for Christ as best we can.
Dominic died at the age of 14, and he was canonized a saint on June 12, 1954, by Pope Pius XII, making him the youngest non-martyr to be canonized in the Catholic Church. His feast is celebrated on March 6.
