Father Dave Pivonka, TOR '89 President | Franciscan University website

On October 17, Franciscan University of Steubenville hosted Dr. Arthur C. Brooks, a Harvard University professor and bestselling author, for a talk titled “The Secrets of Subversive Catholicism.” The event included a conversation between Brooks and Franciscan University President Father Dave Pivonka, TOR.

Dr. Brooks is affiliated with the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, where he teaches leadership and happiness courses. He is also known for his column in The Atlantic and as the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 13 books, including "Build the Life You Want," coauthored with Oprah Winfrey.

During his talk, Brooks used business principles, science, and behavioral research to advise students and attendees on being effective Christian missionaries in modern secular culture by making faith “public, normal, and magnetic.” He explained that fear of exclusion from social groups often prevents people from sharing their faith. However, he suggested overcoming this fear through courage when expressing one's beliefs publicly.

Brooks emphasized the historical significance of religion in civilization and encouraged Catholics to share their faith to fill the emptiness people might otherwise fill with politics or activism. He warned against fighting hostility with hostility in both politics and faith.

He cited Christ’s commandment to love enemies as a way to make faith attractive: “That’s how you make your faith attractive. When you get hostility, you see it as an opportunity to show love.”

Following his presentation, Brooks engaged in a discussion with Father Pivonka about evangelization and mutual human needs. Brooks highlighted the importance of remembering God's unconditional love when loving one's enemies.

Father Pivonka concluded by urging Christians to live their faith visibly everywhere: “That is the nature of the Incarnation... God chose to enter human existence to bring about transformation.”

The evening also featured sacred music performed by Franciscan University’s Schola Cantorum Franciscana.