Admitted in 1854 by Fr. Bosco into his Oratory at Valdocco (Turin), he brought to full fruition the piety he had imbibed in his family. Nothing in his conduct was extraordinary; yet he observed the discipline punctiliously, applied himself constantly to his studies, was amiable with his companions, gave them prudent advice to recall them to piety and seriousness, avoided even the slightest fault, cherished an intense love for purity and the Eucharist. Thus he became one of the fairest fruits nurtured under Fr. Bosco’s guidance. When he was sent to Mondonio to restore his health, he was soon transplanted to heaven. He was beatified on 5 March 1950, a day fixed for his feast.
BIBL.: AAS, 6 (1914), pp. 114 ff.; 25 (1933), pp. 439 ff.; 42 (1950), pp. 242-47; S. Giovanni Bosco, Il servo di Dio D. S., 1st ed., Turin 1849; 3rd ed., ibid. 1861 (in many other editions and translations); C. Salotti, D. S., Turin 1915; A. Caviglia, La vita di S. D., preface in S. D. e d. Bosco (Opere e scritti editi e inediti d. Bosco, 4), ibid. 1943.