Former politician Cyrus Habib, who lost his eyesight at 8, discusses leaving office for the Catholic ministry. Topics include his immigrant background, battling childhood cancer, post-9/11 political involvement, and his decision to join the Jesuits for a more meaningful life.
Overcoming blindness and personal challenges shaped Cyrus Habib's journey from politics to the Jesuits.
Cyrus Habib found spiritual fulfillment and a deeper calling in Catholicism, leading him to join the Jesuit order.
Habib's transition from politics to the Jesuits reflects a commitment to authentic service, communal living, and social justice activism.
Deep dives
Introduction to Cyrus Habib's Background
Cyrus Habib, a former prominent politician, decided to leave his political career and embark on a transformative journey to join the Jesuits. Habib encountered personal challenges, including coping with childhood cancer that led to blindness and facing existential questions about his purpose.
Roots of Cyrus Habib's Spiritual Call
Raised in a monotheistic household, Habib found resonance with Catholicism after deep reflections following personal and family health crises. His path to Jesuit formation arose from a profound connection with the spiritual values and community living offered by the Jesuit order, realizing a deeper calling beyond politics.
Transition from Politics to Jesuit Mission
Amidst the tumult of contemporary politics and scandals, Habib chose a path of service and reflection rooted in Jesuit traditions. His decision to abandon politics for a decade-long journey toward ordination reflects a commitment to serving humanity with the Pope’s ecological and economic justice agenda.
Impact of Power and Authenticity in Habib's Journey
Contemplating the role of power and authenticity in the Catholic Church amid scandals, Habib's shift to a Jesuit life underscores a departure from political power dynamics to a more authentic, compassionate mode of service. His faith journey emphasizes a quest for humility, communal living, and societal justice.
Habib's Mission in Africa and Reflections on Politics
Embarking on a mission to Nairobi, Kenya, Habib will focus on addressing poverty and climate change, embodying the Jesuit commitment to social justice activism. His insights on the evolving political landscape advocate for nuanced dialogue, compassion, and the potential for transcending ideological divisions through lived experience.
Cyrus Habib was a political rising star when he made the surprise announcement that he was leaving elected office to join the Catholic ministry. Cyrus lost his eyesight to cancer at 8 years old, but that didn’t stop him from collecting such accolades as degrees from Yale and Oxford and the role of Washington state lieutenant governor by the age of 35. While he valued helping those in need, he felt he could make a difference more authentically by removing the ego of political office and leaning into his faith. He joined David to talk about growing up as the son of Iranian immigrants and how his parents taught him his blindness was not his identity, interning for then-Senator Hillary Clinton following 9/11 and how it changed his outlook on public service, and deciding to convert to Catholicism and join the Jesuit order.