Patron saint of juvenile delinquents.  Yes, you read that right.  Yes, that’s a thing.  Did you know that if you start looking up patron saints, the list is only about as long as nouns in the dictionary?  Well now you know.  You’re welcome. 

So why are we talking about the patron saint of juvenile delinquents?  Earlier this year I had a student whose story broke my heart.  He was making some bad choices for sure, but I quickly developed a soft spot for him.  His father MIA, no food in the house and a mother constantly running off and leaving him in charge of two younger siblings.  Are we really surprised when he comes back from a two-week suspension with behavior non the wiser?  Punished for poverty is what some would call it. 

As first semester came to a close, knowing that I would no longer have this student in my class second semester, I decided I needed to enact some additional help in guiding this individual.  A conversation I had had with a coworker replayed in my mind.  The objective of it being, if you request the favor of a saint with the promise of celebrating their feast day, they will be your ally.  Determined to identify a guardian angel of sorts for this student, I began reading through lists of patron saints.  Quickly becoming overwhelmed with the options, I settled on Saint Dominic Savio: Patron saint of choir boys, the falsely accused, and juvenile delinquents.  Born on my niece’s birthday with a feast day right before our school’s graduation, it seemed to be a sign.  I prayed to Saint Dominic, “Please help guide this student towards his high school diploma.  Keep him in line long enough to graduate so he can get a job and stay out of trouble.  Please let him be a positive role-model for his younger siblings.  Intercede on his behalf and I promise to honor your feast day every year on May 6th.” 

Currently senior exit grades are due in about two months.  If you are so inclined, please join me in praying to St. Dominic Savio on behalf of my student. 

O Saint Dominic Savio, model of purity, piety, penance and apostolic zeal for youth; grant that, through your intercession, we may serve God in our ordinary duties with fervent devotion, and attain the grace of holy joy on earth, that we may one day love God forever in heaven.  Amen.

Thank-you.  I pray that come May I have a reason to plan an annual holy celebration in honor of this young saint.