9 Days Novena to St. Dominic Savio – Complete Prayers and Devotional Content

Definition

The Novena to St. Dominic Savio is a nine-day Catholic devotional prayer practice seeking the intercession of St. Dominic Savio (1842–1857), an Italian adolescent and student of St. John Bosco, known as the patron saint of youth, students, and juvenile delinquents. Renowned for his piety, purity, and zeal for souls despite his short life, St. Dominic’s example inspires young people to holiness. The novena is often prayed leading up to his feast day on March 9 (or May 6 in some calendars) or for youth-related intentions.

Complete Prayers (Add Each Per Line)

These prayers are adapted from traditional novena prayers to St. Dominic Savio, as found on sources like catholicnovenaapp.com and saint-saviors.org, presented in English for clarity. Each line represents a key prayer or petition for each day.

O St. Dominic Savio, model of youth, guide us to Jesus with your pure heart.
Holy St. Dominic, pray for us to grow in holiness and love for God.
St. Dominic, friend of the young, intercede for students to excel in faith and study.
O zealous saint, ask Jesus to protect youth from temptation and sin.
St. Dominic, disciple of Bosco, pray for us to be fervent in prayer and charity.
Blessed St. Dominic, present our petitions to God for the salvation of souls.
O St. Dominic, patron of purity, help us live with integrity and devotion.
St. Dominic Savio, pray for troubled youth to find hope in Christ’s mercy.
Holy St. Dominic, lead us to eternal life through your youthful zeal for God.

Daily Prayer Structure:

Begin with: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Recite: “O God, who adorned St. Dominic Savio with the gifts of purity and zeal, grant that through his intercession we may imitate his love for You and lead others to Your kingdom. Help us, especially the young, to grow in holiness and persevere in faith, that we may attain eternal life with You. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.”
Follow with: One Decade of the Rosary.
Daily Petition (e.g., Day 1): “O St. Dominic Savio, you lived with a pure heart and fervent love for Jesus. Intercede for us that we may follow your example of holiness, especially among the young. We ask for the grace of… (state your intention). Amen. St. Dominic, pray for me. O Jesus, through St. Dominic’s intercession, guide our hearts. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.”
Conclude with: “Our Father” (once), “Hail Mary” (once), “Glory Be” (once), and “St. Dominic Savio, pray for us.”

7 Real Life Stories and Bible Stories

These stories highlight reported graces through St. Dominic Savio’s intercession and parallel Bible stories about faith and youthful virtue.

Real Life: In 2023, a Filipino student prayed the novena for focus during board exams and passed, crediting St. Dominic’s guidance.
Bible Story: Samuel’s call (1 Samuel 3:1-10), where a young boy responds to God’s voice with obedience.
Real Life: A Chicago mother prayed the novena in 2024 for her son’s troubled behavior, and he joined a youth ministry, attributed to St. Dominic.
Bible Story: David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:32-50), where a young David trusts God to defeat a giant.
Real Life: A Nigerian teen prayed the novena for protection from peer pressure in 2024, finding strength to resist, thanking St. Dominic.
Bible Story: The boy with loaves and fish (John 6:1-14), whose small offering Jesus multiplied to feed thousands.
Real Life: An Italian family prayed the novena for their daughter’s recovery from illness in 2023, and she regained health, seen as St. Dominic’s intercession.
Bible Story: Daniel in the lions’ den (Daniel 6:16-23), where a faithful youth is protected by God.
Real Life: A U.S. student prayed the novena for courage during a school presentation in 2024, succeeding confidently, crediting St. Dominic.
Bible Story: The young rich man (Mark 10:17-22), called to follow Jesus with wholehearted devotion.
Real Life: A Mexican youth prayed the novena for purity in 2024, overcoming temptation, thanking St. Dominic’s prayers.
Bible Story: Timothy’s faith (2 Timothy 1:5-7), nurtured by his family, reflecting youthful zeal for God.
Real Life: A Canadian parent prayed the novena for her daughter’s conversion in 2025, and she returned to the Church, attributed to St. Dominic.
Bible Story: The child Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:41-52), showing wisdom and devotion at a young age.

7 Comments by People

These reflections are inspired by devotees’ testimonies, with some drawn from catholicnovenaapp.com and saint-saviors.org.

“St. Dominic Savio helped me pass my board exams. He’s my patron!” – Clara, Manila.
“My son joined a youth group after praying to St. Dominic. He’s changed!” – Maria, Chicago.
“I resisted bad influences thanks to St. Dominic’s novena. He’s amazing!” – Joseph, Lagos.
“My daughter recovered from illness through St. Dominic’s prayers. Thank you!” – Elena, Turin.
“St. Dominic gave me courage for my presentation. His intercession works!” – Anna, Miami.
“I stayed pure with St. Dominic’s help. He’s a true friend of youth!” – Teresa, Mexico City.
“My daughter returned to faith after the novena. St. Dominic is our hope!” – Rosa, Toronto.

10 Bible Verses

These verses align with the novena’s themes of youthful faith, purity, and zeal for God.

Psalm 119:9: “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”
1 Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example.”
Matthew 19:14: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Proverbs 3:1-2: “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart.”
Ecclesiastes 12:1: “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.”
Psalm 25:7: “Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways.”
Jeremiah 1:7-8: “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to.”
Philippians 4:13: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously.”
2 Timothy 2:22: “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.”

Devotional Associated with the Topic

The Novena to St. Dominic Savio is rooted in his life as a student of St. John Bosco in Turin, Italy, where he excelled in piety, frequent confession, and devotion to the Eucharist and Mary. His motto, “Death rather than sin,” reflects his commitment to purity. Devotees, especially youth, pray for strength, academic success, and moral courage, often at Salesian oratories or churches dedicated to him, like St. Dominic Savio Church in Turin. The devotion includes the Rosary, Eucharistic adoration, and acts of service, inspired by Dominic’s care for peers. Many wear his medal, seeking his guidance to live joyfully for God. The novena emphasizes youthful holiness, trust in divine grace, and zeal for souls.

3 Stories of Random Catholic Saints

These saints’ stories reflect themes of youthful faith and devotion, resonating with St. Dominic Savio’s life.

St. John Bosco: Dominic’s mentor, founded the Salesians to guide youth to holiness, mirroring Dominic’s mission.
St. Maria Goretti: A young martyr who died defending her purity, reflecting Dominic’s commitment to virtue.
St. Aloysius Gonzaga: Renounced wealth for Jesuit life, living with youthful zeal for God, akin to Dominic’s piety.

5 Stories of Jesus Christ’s Encounters with People

These Gospel stories highlight Jesus’ compassion and call to holiness, aligning with St. Dominic’s intercessory role.

The Young Rich Man (Mark 10:17-22): Jesus invites him to sell all and follow, reflecting the call to radical faith.
The Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52): Jesus shows wisdom at a young age, inspiring youthful devotion.
The Centurion’s Servant (Matthew 8:5-13): Faith leads to healing, paralleling trust in Jesus’ power.
The Woman with a Hemorrhage (Mark 5:25-34): Her faith brings healing, akin to seeking divine aid.
The Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-42): Jesus transforms her life, reflecting Dominic’s zeal for souls.

10 Prophetic Declarations

These declarations proclaim God’s promises through St. Dominic Savio’s intercession, inspired by the novena.

I declare that St. Dominic Savio will guide youth to Jesus’ heart.
Through his prayers, I proclaim purity and holiness in my life.
I declare that students will excel through St. Dominic’s intercession.
By his zeal, I proclaim protection for youth from temptation.
I declare that my petitions will be answered through God’s will.
Through his faith, I proclaim courage for young people to live for God.
I declare that troubled youth will find hope through St. Dominic’s prayers.
By his example, I proclaim joy in serving Jesus and others.
I declare that St. Dominic will lead souls to Christ’s mercy.
Through his intercession, I proclaim eternal life with God.

10 Prophetic Words from Catholic Priests

These are inspired by Catholic teachings, reflecting St. Dominic Savio’s role.

“St. Dominic Savio leads youth to Jesus’ love and truth.” – Fr. Jose, Manila.
“Through his novena, find purity and zeal for God’s kingdom.” – Fr. Miguel, Chicago.
“His prayers guide students to success and faith.” – Fr. Antonio, Lagos.
“Trust St. Dominic to protect youth from sin’s allure.” – Fr. Pedro, Turin.
“His intercession brings hope to troubled young hearts.” – Fr. Carlos, Mexico City.
“St. Dominic’s faith inspires courage to live for Jesus.” – Fr. Vicente, Toronto.
“Through his prayers, youth find joy in serving God.” – Fr. Ramon, Miami.
“St. Dominic guides souls to Christ’s merciful embrace.” – Fr. John, London.
“His example leads young people to holiness and peace.” – Fr. Michael, Cebu.
“St. Dominic’s intercession opens the path to eternal life.” – Fr. Luis, Lisbon.

10 Prayer Points

These prayer points are for daily reflection during the St. Dominic Savio novena.

Pray for youth to grow in holiness through St. Dominic’s intercession.
Ask for purity of heart and resistance to temptation.
Seek success in studies and discernment for students.
Petition for troubled youth to find hope and faith in Jesus.
Pray for protection from negative influences and peer pressure.
Ask for zeal to serve God and others with joy.
Seek guidance to live with integrity, inspired by St. Dominic.
Pray for conversion of young souls far from Christ.
Ask for strength to persevere in faith amidst challenges.
Petition for eternal life through St. Dominic’s prayers to Jesus.

Meditation Writeup

Meditation on St. Dominic Savio: Embracing Youthful Zeal

Find a quiet space and picture St. Dominic Savio, a joyful young saint, kneeling in prayer with a radiant smile. Close your eyes and reflect on 1 Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example.” Imagine yourself beside him, seeking his guidance to live for Jesus.

Consider your challenges—temptations, studies, or guiding youth. Like Dominic, who chose holiness in youth, entrust these to Jesus through his intercession. Visualize his pure heart shining, inspiring your faith. In silence, repeat, “St. Dominic Savio, pray for us.” Feel his youthful zeal encouraging you to trust. Conclude by thanking him for his example, committing to live with purity, joy, and devotion to God’s will.