Smith’s journey depicts dedication, family, love

Brittny Smith was raised Catholic in Houston, Texas and her parents are native of El Salvador. It wasn’t until she met her late husband, Justin Smith, that she wanted to know God more.

“We started attending Mass for all the major holidays Christmas, Good Friday, Easter,” Smith said. “I became pregnant with my daughter in 2015 and that's when God really started pulling His strings in me. I knew that I wanted to baptize my daughter and raise her Catholic, but to do that I needed to do it for myself first.”

Smith had planned on relying on her husband since he was raised Catholic and a graduate of St. Pius X Catholic High School.

“Then came the worst day of my life October 5, 2016,” Smith said. “My husband had died in a motorcycle accident. We had his funeral at Christ Redeemer and Fr. Sean gave a beautiful service. I will never forget how much he impacted my life that day. Seeing how everything comes full circle, and even as painful as it was, I knew that Christ Redeemer would be my home.”

Smith began Rite of Christian Initiation classes. She enjoyed attending Wednesday night classes, learning about Catholicism and hearing the concerns of others. She also enjoyed the activities planned and discovering how it connected with Mass.

“The RCIA team members are amazing,” Smith said. “Each person always made sure to check on me and ask how Avery and I were doing. I feel like many times I could have thrown up my hands and said, ‘I am not doing this. God took my husband from me.’ God truly reached me through the RCIA team. Each person there made me stronger.”

Smith also said her family and her late husband’s family have supported her during the RCIA journey.

“Besides the team, I have had so many family, friends and even people I do not know show me compassion during this time,” Smith said. “It could be as simple as sending me a text, bringing me dinner, sending me a card and it always seemed to come when I needed it the most. All of these people have showed me how Christ has been working in my life.”

Smith is grateful that both she and her daughter were baptized by Rev. Sean Horrigan, pastor at CtR. Smith said the best part of the baptism for her was the moment right before the water hit her head.

“I knew and felt God so strong in my heart,” she said. “That is part of the reason I was crying even before Fr. Sean poured the water. It was very emotional for me because this was something my husband and I talked about so much. To have finally been able to receive my sacraments was bittersweet. I know Justin was there with me in the moment but still hard to not have him physically here. I pray that I can continue to hold that strength and bond with him until the day I meet him. I cannot begin to say, ‘Thank you’ enough to the church, RCIA and my family. I have found my home.”