09/03/2022
MARCH 09 | DEATH ANNIVERSARY of Saint Dominic Savio
It was the evening of March 9th, 1857; he had received all the help that the Church has for us at the approach of death. Anyone who just heard him talking quietly and saw the peace and serenity on his face could only have thought that he was having a quiet rest in bed. If you add to this, his complete mastery over himself and his happy spirit, it is little wonder that nobody imagined that his end was near.
About an hour and a half before he died, the parish priest came to visit him and was quite amazed to hear the brief prayers with which he so calmly and constantly recommended his soul to God. All the phrases expressed his great desire to go quickly to heaven.
In the circumstances the priest was somewhat perplexed as to what way he might help; he said some prayers with the boy and then as he was about to go Dominic said to him:
“Father, before going, leave me a parting thought to keep with me.”
“Really I don’t know what to suggest.”
“Something that will strengthen and comfort me.”
“All right; try to keep in mind the Passion of Our Saviour.”
“Deo gratias,” replied Dominic, “May the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ be always in my mind and heart and on my lips. Jesus, Mary and Joseph help me now when I am dying; Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I die at peace with you.”
After that, he fell asleep for half an hour. When he woke up, he looked around him and said:
“Dad, are you there?”
“Here I am son, what do you want?”
“Dad, it is time; get my ‘The Companion of Youth’ and read me the prayers for the Exercise of a Happy Death.”
At these words his mother burst into tears and hurried from the room. His father’s eyes filled with tears, but choking back his sobs, he got the book and read the prayers. As he went through them Dominic answered clearly.
“Merciful Jesus, have mercy on me...”
When his father reached the final part which runs: “When for the first time my soul will see the wonderful majesty of God, do not drive it away, but take it to heaven to sing your praises for all eternity...” he said:
“Yes, Dad — that is what I want so much, to sing the praises of Jesus for all eternity.”
He dropped off to sleep again, but it was like he was reflecting on things of great importance. He awoke after a short while. Then in a clear voice, he said:
“Goodbye, Dad, goodbye. What was it the parish priest suggested to me... I don’t seem to remember... Oh, what wonderful things I see....”
And so saying, with a beautiful smile on his face, and his hands joined on his breast he gave up his soul to God without any struggle.
(from Chapter 24. His final moments and his wonderful death - THE LIFE OF YOUNG DOMINIC SAVIO, PUPIL AT THE ORATORY OF ST FRANCIS DE SALES written by Father John Bosco) MARCH 09 | DEATH ANNIVERSARY of Saint Dominic Savio
It was the evening of March 9th, 1857; he had received all the help that the Church has for us at the approach of death. Anyone who just heard him talking quietly and saw the peace and serenity on his face could only have thought that he was having a quiet rest in bed. If you add to this, his complete mastery over himself and his happy spirit, it is little wonder that nobody imagined that his end was near.
About an hour and a half before he died, the parish priest came to visit him and was quite amazed to hear the brief prayers with which he so calmly and constantly recommended his soul to God. All the phrases expressed his great desire to go quickly to heaven.
In the circumstances the priest was somewhat perplexed as to what way he might help; he said some prayers with the boy and then as he was about to go Dominic said to him:
“Father, before going, leave me a parting thought to keep with me.”
“Really I don’t know what to suggest.”
“Something that will strengthen and comfort me.”
“All right; try to keep in mind the Passion of Our Saviour.”
“Deo gratias,” replied Dominic, “May the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ be always in my mind and heart and on my lips. Jesus, Mary and Joseph help me now when I am dying; Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I die at peace with you.”
After that, he fell asleep for half an hour. When he woke up, he looked around him and said:
“Dad, are you there?”
“Here I am son, what do you want?”
“Dad, it is time; get my ‘The Companion of Youth’ and read me the prayers for the Exercise of a Happy Death.”
At these words his mother burst into tears and hurried from the room. His father’s eyes filled with tears, but choking back his sobs, he got the book and read the prayers. As he went through them Dominic answered clearly.
“Merciful Jesus, have mercy on me...”
When his father reached the final part which runs: “When for the first time my soul will see the wonderful majesty of God, do not drive it away, but take it to heaven to sing your praises for all eternity...” he said:
“Yes, Dad — that is what I want so much, to sing the praises of Jesus for all eternity.”
He dropped off to sleep again, but it was like he was reflecting on things of great importance. He awoke after a short while. Then in a clear voice, he said:
“Goodbye, Dad, goodbye. What was it the parish priest suggested to me... I don’t seem to remember... Oh, what wonderful things I see....”
And so saying, with a beautiful smile on his face, and his hands joined on his breast he gave up his soul to God without any struggle.
(from Chapter 24. His final moments and his wonderful death - THE LIFE OF YOUNG DOMINIC SAVIO, PUPIL AT THE ORATORY OF ST FRANCIS DE SALES written by Father John Bosco) MARCH 09 | DEATH ANNIVERSARY of Saint Dominic Savio
It was the evening of March 9th, 1857; he had received all the help that the Church has for us at the approach of death. Anyone who just heard him talking quietly and saw the peace and serenity on his face could only have thought that he was having a quiet rest in bed. If you add to this, his complete mastery over himself and his happy spirit, it is little wonder that nobody imagined that his end was near.
About an hour and a half before he died, the parish priest came to visit him and was quite amazed to hear the brief prayers with which he so calmly and constantly recommended his soul to God. All the phrases expressed his great desire to go quickly to heaven.
In the circumstances the priest was somewhat perplexed as to what way he might help; he said some prayers with the boy and then as he was about to go Dominic said to him:
“Father, before going, leave me a parting thought to keep with me.”
“Really I don’t know what to suggest.”
“Something that will strengthen and comfort me.”
“All right; try to keep in mind the Passion of Our Saviour.”
“Deo gratias,” replied Dominic, “May the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ be always in my mind and heart and on my lips. Jesus, Mary and Joseph help me now when I am dying; Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I die at peace with you.”
After that, he fell asleep for half an hour. When he woke up, he looked around him and said:
“Dad, are you there?”
“Here I am son, what do you want?”
“Dad, it is time; get my ‘The Companion of Youth’ and read me the prayers for the Exercise of a Happy Death.”
At these words his mother burst into tears and hurried from the room. His father’s eyes filled with tears, but choking back his sobs, he got the book and read the prayers. As he went through them Dominic answered clearly.
“Merciful Jesus, have mercy on me...”
When his father reached the final part which runs: “When for the first time my soul will see the wonderful majesty of God, do not drive it away, but take it to heaven to sing your praises for all eternity...” he said:
“Yes, Dad — that is what I want so much, to sing the praises of Jesus for all eternity.”
He dropped off to sleep again, but it was like he was reflecting on things of great importance. He awoke after a short while. Then in a clear voice, he said:
“Goodbye, Dad, goodbye. What was it the parish priest suggested to me... I don’t seem to remember... Oh, what wonderful things I see....”
And so saying, with a beautiful smile on his face, and his hands joined on his breast he gave up his soul to God without any struggle.
(from Chapter 24. His final moments and his wonderful death - THE LIFE OF YOUNG DOMINIC SAVIO, PUPIL AT THE ORATORY OF ST FRANCIS DE SALES written by Father John Bosco)