Priest fled civil war, found faith in the U.S.

FATHER ALBERT BAHHUTH, pastor of Holy Family Parish in South Pasadena, CA, has been chaplain of the Pasadena Chapter of Legatus since 2021.

Father was born the youngest of seven children in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1956. He was raised in the Greek Catholic Church, an Eastern-rite church in communion with Rome. The Lebanese Civil War (1975-90) prompted him to leave Lebanon for the U.S. during his college years. He earned master’s and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering in the U.S. and went on to teach at the university level. Unable to find a job in chemical engineering, he came to California in 1984 and worked in the retail and fast-food businesses, including as owner of two Subway restaurants.

He entered the seminary for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1991 and was ordained a priest in 1996. He has served at a variety of parishes since, was moderator of the curia and vicar general for the archdiocese, and has served on the board of trustees of St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, CA. He was assigned to Holy Family in 2021.

In what ways was life in Lebanon different than life in the U.S. for you?
There was a greater emphasis on studies in Lebanon, as you took government exams as a student there, and if you didn’t pass, you couldn’t go on to the next level. Sports or certain electives were also not much of a focus for students there.

How did the Lebanese Civil War affect you?
My family lived in East Beirut, which was mostly Christian, and I went to school in West Beirut, which was mostly Muslim. It was dangerous crossing through the city, as you could be killed for being the wrong religion. Also, the university where I was taking classes closed for five months due to the fighting, so my family decided it was time for me to leave the country. Getting a visa to leave was di¤cult, and the airport closed for a month the day after I left. The war made everything diffcult.

Did you practice the faith growing up?
No, my family did not go to church. My parents did make sure I received Baptism and Confirmation, but that was about it. I went to a Catholic school but later transferred to a Baptist school so I could learn to speak English. All my religion came through my schools, and I grew up more in a Protestant environment than a Catholic one.

How did you become an active Catholic?
It was a journey that began 20 years later when a friend suggested I go to church, my first time since I was a child. Another time I encountered some 18-year-old Mormon missionaries who told me their church was right and mine wrong, and I didn’t have the knowledge to respond.
I began to learn more about my faith and going to Sunday Mass. I decided to take a year ff work and joined a lay missionary group working in a parish in South Los Angeles. I was in spiritual direction, and I was thinking of the big questions of life, including whether I should dedicate my life as a priest.

What have you found rewarding about the priesthood?
I love seeing the transformation that can occur in people’s lives if they draw closer to the Lord and allow Him to work in their lives. It is very fulfilling and gives meaning to my life.

What have your experiences been with Legatus?
It is a wonderful group and very much needed. I love seeing how its members integrate their Catholic faith into their lives and bring the gospel of Christ to those around them. e meetings are always very good, as they are not only social but also contain a spiritual element as well.