During the morning ceremony, the official Breve (proclamation) was read, in which Pope Pius XII declared Dominic Savio among the Blessed. As soon as the reading ended, the image of the new Blessed was unveiled, and a relic of his was solemnly placed on the altar. A thunderous applause rose from the entire Basilica, soon turning into a hymn of thanksgiving to God. The joy spread beyond the Basilica, echoing throughout St. Peter’s Square, which was packed with people.
In the afternoon, Pope Pius XII himself went down to St. Peter’s Basilica to venerate the newly beatified Dominic Savio. He was presented with various gifts: an artistic reliquary, images and biographies of the Blessed bound in fine editions, and the traditional bouquet of flowers. Graciously accepting them, the Holy Father spent some time in conversation with the then-Rector Major, Fr. Pietro Ricaldone.
Given the immense crowd filling St. Peter’s Square and Via della Conciliazione, the Pope later proceeded to the Loggia delle Benedizioni (Blessings Balcony), where he appeared to greet the faithful with a warm wave of his hands and imparted his blessing upon the joyful assembly. The following day, Monday, March 6, Pope Pius XII granted a special audience to the many young people and pilgrims who had come to Rome for the beatification.
It is worth recalling that the virtuous and holy life of young Dominic Savio had already been recognized both in his hometown and at the Valdocco Oratory. In May 1854, Fr. Giuseppe Cugliero, Dominic’s schoolteacher in Mondonio, traveled to Turin to recommend his student for acceptance by Don Bosco. After describing the boy’s exemplary conduct, he concluded his recommendation with the words:
"Fr. Bosco, in your house, you may find many students as good as him. But, it will be difficult to find anyone who surpasses him in talent and virtue. Give him a chance, and you will see—he is another Saint Aloysius!"
Don Bosco himself made a second declaration shortly after his first meeting with Dominic Savio on October 2, 1854, at the Becchi, during the feast of the Holy Rosary. Dominic, accompanied by his father, had come from Mondonio. After a long conversation with the boy, Don Bosco later wrote:
"I recognized in this young man a soul entirely attuned to the spirit of the Lord, and I was deeply astonished at the wonders divine grace had already worked in him at such a tender age!"
The third testimony to Dominic Savio’s holiness came from Mamma Margherita, Don Bosco’s mother. She had observed him praying fervently and for long periods, even after common devotions, and often saw him kneeling in deep recollection with some companions at the altar of Our Lady. Deeply moved and edified, she told Don Bosco: "Dear Giovanni, you have many good young men, but none surpasses the beauty of heart and soul of Savio!"
An archival video documenting the beatification of Dominic Savio in Vatican City is available online:
? Watch the historic footage here
