Happy Feast day St. Dominic Savio

Promise of holiness

Dominic Savio was born on April 2, 1842, in San Giovanni di Riva, near Chieri (Turin).On the occasion of his first communion, at the age of seven, he set out his life's programme: "I will go to Confession frequently and Communion as often as my confessor allows. I want to make Sundays and feast days holy. My friends will be Jesus and Mary. Death but not sin". At twelve, Don Bosco accepted him into the Oratory in Turin and Dominic asked his help in order to "become a saint". Gentle, serene and happy, he put great effort into fulfilling his duties as a student and helping his companions in every way he could, teaching them Catechism, assisting the sick and settling quarrels.

Road to holiness

One day he said to a companion, who had just arrived in the Oratory: "You should know that here we make holiness consist in being always cheerful. We just try to avoid sin, which is the great enemy that robs us of the grace of God and peace of heart, and we try to to fulfill our duties exactly." He was very faithful to his programme of work, sustained by intense participation in sacramental life, by a filial devotion to Mary and by joyful sacrifice. God enriched him with many special gifts.

Love for Mary

On December 8, 1854, when Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, Dominic consecrated himself to Mary and began to advance rapidly in holiness. In 1856, he founded the Immaculate Conception Sodality among his friends. This was a group dedicated to apostolic action and peer ministry.

Love for the Eucharist

Mamma Margaret, who had come to Turin to help her priest son, one day said to him: "You have many good boys, but no one surpasses the beauty of heart and soul of Dominic Savio". And she explained: "I see him always praying, even remaining in Church after the others; every day he leaves recreation to visit the Blessed Sacrament; when he is in Church, he is like an angel in Heaven". He died in Moriondo on March 9, 1857. His remains are in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin. His feast is celebrated on May 6. Pope Pius XI defined him as "A little, or rather, a great giant of the Spirit". He is patron of young choir singers.

Beatified 5-3-5 Canonised 12-6-54

Source: sdb.org

Happy Feast day Blessed Eusebia Palomino

A little girl in Salamanca

Eusebia Palomino Yenes was born in Cantalpino in the province of Salamanca, in the west of Spain, the 15th December 1899. Agustine Palomino’s family was very poor. He was a man of faith. At certain times of the year Eusebia and her father had to go begging in nearby villages, but they did so with joy and singular faith.

Learning from her father

On those long journeys Augustine taught his daughter her faith, and she was keen to learn the mysteries of Our Lord. Eusebia worked, prayed and was loved in her family. The day of her first communion was one that Eusebia experienced intently. Soon after she was employed to help a well-to-do family. She did not stop giving attention to her growth as an adolescent, putting her friendship with Jesus in first place.

As a kitchen hand with the Sisters

She was sent to Salamanca, first to look after the children, then as an assistant in a hostel. She really wanted to become a Sister. One day, while hoeing, she found a medal of Mary Help of Christians. Soon afterwards a mysterious friend led her to the Sisters’ Oratory. They invited her to stay with them as a helper. Oddly enough the kitchen became her place for educating, and they would often trot along to the kitchen to get a kind word from this ignorant young kitchen lass.

Finally, a Salesian Sister

The Mother Vicar came to Salamanca and accepted her as a postulant. Eusebia made her novitiate at Barcellona, edifying her companions by her humility and with her smile. She became a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians in 1924, and was sent to Valverde del Camino  in the role of cook and domestic help. She began to carry out her ordinary service extraordinarily like Don Bosco had wanted, so much so that the Lord filled her with his gifts.

Girls attracted by her spirituality

The girls always wanted to be near her, attracted by her spirituality. She began to work in the Oratory. Seminarians, adults and priests asked her advice, encouraged by her spirit of prayer and convinced and convincing faith. She spread devotion to the Lord’s Holy Wounds and the so-called “Marian servitude” of Saint Louis  M. Grignion de Montfort. There is talk of many wonderful things that happened during her life.

A prophet

Like Don Bosco she had received the gift of prophecy from the Lord. She predicted the Spanish civil war and offered herself as a victim for Spain. Then she began to feel unwell. Her Director, Sr Carmen Moreno, who became a Martyr and Blessed, looked after her, while she gave some thought to her situation. Suor Eusebia prophesied her martyrdom.

Visions and death

Before she herself died she had visions and ecstasies. She went to the Lord on the 10th February 1933. John Paul II declared her Blessed on the 25th April 2004. Her body is laid to rest at Valverde.

Declared Venerable 17 December 1996; beatified 25 April 2004 by John Paul II

Source: http://www.sdb.org/it/Santita_Salesiana