As a small child, Dominic loved the Lord and His
Church. He was very devout in practicing his Catholic faith.
For example, he said grace before every meal and refused
to eat with those who did not. He was always quick to
encourage others to pray.
Dominic attended Church regularly with his mother and
was often seen kneeling before the Tabernacle in prayer.
Dominic was quickly recognized as an exceptional student
who studied hard and performed well in school. He became
an altar server. He also attended daily Mass and went to
confession regularly. He asked to receive his first
communion at the age of seven. This was not the practice in
the Church of Italy at the time. Normally, children received
their first holy communion at the age of twelve. Dominic’s
priest was so impressed with his intelligence concerning the
faith, his love for the Lord and his piety that he made an
exception. Dominic said that the day of his First
Communion was the happiest day of his life.
On the Day he received his first communion, Dominic
wrote four promises in a little book. Those promises were:

1. I will go to Confession often, and as frequently to Holy
   Communion as my confessor allows.
2. I wish to sanctify the Sundays and festivals in a special
   manner.
3. My friends shall be Jesus and Mary.
4. Death rather than sin.
   Prayer to Saint Dominic Savio
   Saint Dominic Savio, angelic youth, who at the school of
   Don Bosco learned the way of holiness, help us to imitate
   thy love for Jesus, thy devotion to Mary, thy zeal for souls
   and thy resolution to prefer death to sin; that we may reach
   eternal salvation. Amen.