By Natasha Rodrigues

St. Dominic Savio High School, Andheri, Mumbai, joyfully celebrated the feast of its young patron saint on July 5, 2025. The celebration was deeply rooted in faith, hope, and gratitude, as students, staff, alumni, parents, and well-wishers came together in a spirit of unity and inspiration.

 The days leading up to the feast were marked by a novena from June 26 to July 4. Each day focused on a unique virtue of the young saint, encouraging students to reflect and emulate his example in their daily lives.

 On the feast day, the school buzzed with devotion and celebration. Morning assemblies across all sections highlighted how St. Dominic Savio lived out ordinary duties in extraordinary ways. Engaging videos and talks brought his story to life, followed by a spirited quiz and joyful dance sessions in the Pre-primary and Nursery sections. While, the Primary Section was pulsating with colour and creativity as students participated in activities such as colouring worksheets, making Dominic Savio badges, bookmarks, and team quizzes and also viewing of animated presentations to understand why Dominic is remembered as ‘the boy with a strong will’; for the young lads of the Secondary section, a Savio Quiz competition challenged them to delve deeper into the saint’s inspiring life.

 A solemn Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Fr Franco Pereira, was held for Catholic students, staff, parents, alumni, and members of nearby religious communities. In his homily, Fr Pereira emphasized that sainthood is a universal call. Drawing from Dominic Savio’s life, he offered three simple yet powerful principles: be cheerful, do your duties of study and prayer, and always do good to others. An inclusive interfaith prayer service was held simultaneously, with students of all religions participating in the symbolic lighting of the lamp, sacred readings, and skits. The values of simplicity, cheerfulness, and unity resonated throughout, inspiring all to live with compassion and hope.

 The day concluded with a joyful fellowship gathering for the staff—a fitting end to a celebration anchored in faith, unity, and love for their young patron.