Rare Relic of Servant of God Dominic Savio | Ex Capsa Sepulcri | Salesian Catholic Relic Card

A rare early 20th-century Catholic relic card associated with Dominic Savio, the young disciple of Saint John Bosco and one of the most beloved figures in Salesian spirituality.

The beautifully decorated devotional card contains a small preserved relic fragment beneath a transparent covering.

The Latin inscription reads:

“EX CAPSA SEPUL. SERVI DEI DOMINICI SAVIO”

meaning:

“From the sepulchral casket of the Servant of God Dominic Savio.”

The reverse provides particularly valuable historical context. It states that requests for devotional memories and portraits of the Servant of God Dominic Savio, together with reports of graces and offerings for his cause of beatification, should be sent to the Rector Major of the Salesians in Turin, Via Cottolengo 32.

This corresponds closely with the documented history of Dominic Savio's early veneration and beatification cause. His remains were officially examined and transferred to Turin in 1914, where they were placed in a new urn at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians. The Salesians subsequently promoted his cause for beatification.

The reverse also bears a circular Salesian postulation seal, further connecting the object with the ecclesiastical process surrounding Dominic Savio.

At the time this relic card was produced, Dominic Savio was still designated “Servant of God”, indicating that the piece predates his beatification in 1950 and canonization in 1954.

Dominic Savio (1842–1857) was a pupil of Saint John Bosco at the Oratory of Valdocco in Turin. He died at only fourteen years of age and became an important model of youthful holiness within the Salesian tradition.

A particularly charming and historically important devotional object for collectors of Salesian history, Catholic relics, early 20th-century devotional art and objects connected with the cause of canonization of Dominic Savio.

Details

• Subject: Dominic Savio
• Religious status at time of production: Servant of God
• Order / tradition: Salesian
• Relic inscription: Ex capsa sepul. Servi Dei Dominici Savio
• Relic type: Sepulchral/tomb-associated relic
• Associated with: Dominic Savio's tomb
• Place: Turin, Italy
• Approx. size: 7.5 × 4.5 cm
• Language: Latin / Italian
• Seal: Salesian postulation seal
• Period: Early 20th century, before 1950
• Later canonization: 1954

Condition

Good antique condition with natural age toning, light surface wear and minor signs of handling. The decorative printed border remains attractive. The relic fragment is preserved beneath its original transparent covering.