Sister Brittany Harrison
Age: 25
Home City/State/Country: Illinois, USA
Name of Religious Congregation: Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco
Stage of formation: 2nd Year Novice
Degree(s): In progress
Work Experience: Animal Shelter, Health Food Sales Rep, College Tutor, Catechist, Writer, Food Pantry Volunteer
Interests: Technology, writing, iconography, ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, classical music, reading, travel, nature, teaching, science, art.

Vocation History

I was not raised with a strong faith life, but I always had a sense of the existence of God through nature and the kindness shown by other people. For 7th grade I was sent to Catholic school and happened to read about the life of Saint John Bosco, who founded the Salesian Sisters with St Mary Mazzarello. His life is impressed me so much, that I was lead to study more about the Catholic faith on my own. I went through RCIA and became a Catholic in 8th grade.

Eventually I came to have a deep appreciation for the gift of the Eucharist and felt in my heart that if God could love us so much as to give himself to us so fully, not only on the cross, but also in the Eucharist, then I wanted to reciprocate that love as much as I could during my life. I understood in that desire a call to be “all God’s”, which led me to be open to the option of religious life. I always had a sense that I wanted to serve others in my life and help make the world a more beautiful place.

I became involved in my parish food pantry and once I was in college I became a catechist and fell in love with teaching, All of the jobs which I had during my time at college helped me to clarify my vocation and to discern my gifts and how I could best use them to serve others. I became a Salesian Cooperator (similar to a “Third Order” and associated with the Salesians) when I was eighteen. Through involvement with the Salesians I realized that God was calling me to join their apostolate to the young in a more intense way. I was happy as a “lay” Salesian, but I knew that I wanted more, so I in 2007 I joined the Salesian Sisters as a Candidate. God willing, in 2011 I will make my first profession as a Salesian Sister.