Meet New Seminarian Cyrus Haddad
Cyrus is a London St. Patrick parishioner
Cyrus Haddad is a London St. Patrick parishioner and a second year Pre-theologian at the Pontifical College Josephinum. He began in seminary in August, 2009.
What is it like to be a Priest?
He was a non-practicing Catholic until he went to Mass when he was 12 years old. “At that Mass, I wondered what it was like to be a priest.”
At the age of 14, his dad, who was a Baptist, began going to Mass with him and his mom.
College and Seminary
Cyrus thought about the priesthood on and off, and during his senior year in high school, he decided to enter seminary at the Pontifical College Josephinum. He attended for one year and then left to attend Ohio Dominican University to receive a Bachelors degree in Philosophy. “I thought that I wanted to teach Philosophy,” said Cyrus.
Cyrus’ Dad Converted to Catholicism
During this time in college, Cyrus’ dad converted to Catholicism and Cyrus was his sponsor. “That was pretty special,” said Cyrus.
A Move to Texas
Then Cyrus moved to Dallas to attend the University of Dallas for graduate school. He began attending daily Mass while in Dallas. He joined the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter and enjoyed the strong Catholic community and the influence of a priest who was an excellent role model.
Seminary or Teaching Philosophy?
When Cyrus took some time off to work on his thesis, he began thinking about the priesthood. “I kept asking myself: when are you going back to seminary? The thought just kept coming back even though I was pursuing my goal of teaching Philosophy.”
In Seminary
Cyrus eventually contacted Fr. Jeff Coning to re-enroll at the Josephinum. “My family is very supportive if this is what I am called to do. My dad had a few concerns about not having grandchildren as I am an only child.”
Cyrus had some apprehension about entering seminary because for so long he thought he would be teaching Philosophy.
Community Prayer and Great Men
“I am here and I love it, especially getting back into community prayer with the Liturgy of the Hours,” said Cyrus. “Being around a group of men that have the same growth, faith, and spirituality is great. There are lots of interesting people here.”
He also hopes to finish his Thesis while at the Josephinum.
To relax, Cyrus enjoys a game of poker. “Poker is social and it brings people together.”
