Franciscan University of Steubenville has concluded the 50th anniversary summer of its Steubenville Conferences, reporting attendance of over 43,000 youth and adults at events across North America. The conferences included 15 regional youth gatherings in the United States and Canada, as well as four youth and six adult conferences on the university’s campus in Steubenville, Ohio.

The events featured worship, eucharistic adoration, and talks from Catholic speakers such as Father Mike Schmitz, Franciscan University President Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, Dr. Scott Hahn, Noelle Mering, Heather Khym, Karlo Broussard, Katie Prejean McGrady, Dr. John Bergsma, Kimberly Hahn, and Dr. Shane Owens.

A new addition this year was the Glory: Women’s Gathering held June 6–8 on campus. Co-sponsored with Life Restoration Ministries and the Abiding Together podcast, the event brought women together for worship and prayer. Speakers included Heather Khym, Michelle Benzinger, Debbie Herbeck, and Sarah Kaczmarek; music was led by Sarah Kroger Quaglia.

“As we wrap up the 50th summer of Steubenville Conferences, we continue to be amazed by the Lord’s providence,” said Brian Kissinger, executive director of Conferences at Franciscan University. “This summer, one of our guests for the Priests, Deacons, and Seminarians Retreat shared that he had been here for the very first conference in 1975. From the participants who encountered Jesus’ personal love for the first time to the bishop moved to tears as teenagers came forward expressing openness to the priesthood and religious life, we are in awe of what God is doing—and so grateful to play a role in serving the Church.”

Kissinger continued: “As someone who attended our youth conferences as a teen, brought groups as a youth minister, and served as a host, I’ve seen the fruit of these events firsthand. We are privileged to witness the Holy Spirit transforming hearts and lives.”

Looking ahead to future outreach efforts beyond traditional conferences held each summer on campus or regionally throughout North America (https://steubenvilleconferences.com/), Franciscan University announced a new initiative called Franciscan Revival. This program will consist of single-day mini-conferences offered year-round featuring live worship and preaching focused on renewal.

The first two Revival events are scheduled for March 28 in Orange, California—prior to Holy Week—and November 14 near Dallas before Advent season begins. Confirmed speakers include Chris Stefanick; Father Dave Pivonka; Heather Khym; and Bishop Joe Espaillat.

“As we reflected on 50 years of conferences, we were praying about where the Lord might be inviting us to grow,” Kissinger said. “We partnered with Father Dave to reach out to Heather Khym, Chris Stefanick, and Bishop Espaillat, and together we discerned this call to go out and bring revival and kerygmatic proclamation to parishes and dioceses across the country. We are blessed to live in a time where Catholics have access to more resources and programs than ever before—but we still need revival. We need the Holy Spirit to make us holy, to heal us, and to bring us life.”

In addition to launching Franciscan Revival events nationwide (https://franciscan.edu/), Franciscan University will continue its Night of Joy gatherings during Advent and Easter seasons on campus with livestreaming available for remote participation.

According to university officials (https://franciscan.edu/about/), their mission remains unchanged after five decades: leading others toward an encounter with Jesus Christ while deepening discipleship within Catholic communities.