Today we read about a young man who was very serious about being holy in the book In Caelo et in Terra. His name is St Dominic Savio. As a youngster, he was granted permission to receive the Eucharist at 7 years old, when the usual age was 12. His motto, which he adopted after receiving the Eucharist, was "Death, but not sin!" He chose to die rather than to sin.
I'm not sure that this is a realistic plan, as it is, I think, similar to saying "I'm going to learn calculus and never get a single problem wrong!" Sin is to be expected in our lives, as it is part of learning to become a saint.
However. It IS admirable to be so committed to learning to be holy, like God is holy, that you prefer death over choosing to displease Him. In that, we can appreciate and emulate young St Dominic.
He was in poor health, and died when he was only 14. His life and spirituality were very simple, and reminiscent of St Therese of Lisieux. I didn't make this comparison, the book did! You can read more about him here.
God, thanks for giving us a holy young man to learn from. St Dominic Savio, pray for us.
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