IFTTT Autopost 
Today’s missionary hero died when he was 12-years old. I’m sure the first question you probably have is, “How did he get into this missionary hero day blog if he was only twelve?” The short answer, is that he was a beacon of light to all around him, showing them what it means to face pain with grace and trust in God. And, even though he never went to a mission land, he was like St. Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, in being a prayer warrior for missionaries on the front lines.
Silvio Antonio Giovanni Dissegna was born on July 1, 1967 in Turin, Italy, the first of two children. His brother Carlo was born one year later.
As a child, Silvio was noted to be a very good student who wanted to be a teacher when he grew up. Noted for always smiling, Silvio enjoyed riding his bicycle and watching cartoons on television.
When he was 8-years old, Silvio made his First Holy Communion along with his brother Carlo. After this, Silvio began attending Mass more frequently.
For Christmas 1977, Silvio’s mother gave him a typewriter, and he thanked her by dedicating his first page to her: “Thank you, mamma, for bringing me into the world and for giving me life which is so beautiful! I have a great desire to live!”
In the beginning of 1978, however, Silvio began experiencing constant, severe pain in his legs, and in May of that year, the physicians diagnosed the pain as being caused by bone cancer. His parents were beside themselves with grief, but Silvio was not. He told his father, “Papa, have courage! Jesus will not abandon us.” And to his mother, he said, “If I die it is not important. I will suffer to the end. Mother, we will be happy and content only in Paradise.”
When he could no longer go to school and was homebound, Silvio asked his friends to tell the parish priest to bring him Communion at home every day.
Each day, Silvio offered his suffering for some special intention. For example, one day he would say, “Today, I offer my suffering for the Pope and the Church,” and another day he would say, “Today I offer my pains for the conversion of sinners,” and another day he would offer his pains for “missions and missionaries.”
In June of 1979, Silvio lost his sight, and in September, he lost his hearing. On September 24, 1979, the parish priest anointed Silvio and gave him Viaticum (Holy Communion for the dying). He died later that day at the age of 12.
Approximately 1,000 people attended Silvio’s funeral in the parish church on September 26th, and 30 priests concelebrated the funeral Mass.
Pope Francis proclaimed him a Venerable on November 7, 2014.
Love this Father. Such divine faith and grace in one so young. Thank you for sharing.