STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Franciscan University of Steubenville will welcome thousands of Catholics from across the country this summer as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of its iconic Steubenville Youth Conferences and continues a decades-long tradition of evangelization, renewal, and formation through its nationally recognized summer conference ministry.

Following last summer’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the University’s adult conferences, this year marks a major milestone for the Steubenville Youth Conferences, which have impacted generations of young Catholics through dynamic worship, the sacraments, inspiring talks, and encounters with Jesus Christ.

“Of the priests ordained in the United States this year, 18 percent attended a Steubenville Conference as a teen,” said Brian Kissinger, executive director of Conferences at Franciscan University. “We are humbled and honored by the many ways that God continues to reach thousands of young people each year through our conferences, and the profound impact that these events have on the faith and vocations of young men and women. Steubenville South is celebrating its 30th anniversary, while Steubenville St. Paul celebrates its 25th. In March we had our first ever Steubenville Belize youth conference, and we’re excited to see where the Lord sends us next.”

This summer, Franciscan University will host four sold-out youth conferences on campus in Steubenville, Ohio, while an additional 15 Steubenville Youth Conferences will take place across North America. Since their founding, the conferences have become one of the most influential Catholic youth evangelization movements in the United States, helping young people deepen their relationship with Christ and discern their vocations.

Youth conference speakers this summer include Father Mike Schmitz, host of The Bible in a Year Podcast; Chris Stefanick, author, speaker, and television host; Father Leo Patalinghug, author, podcast host, and priest of the Diocese of Baltimore; Katie Prejean McGrady, author and Catholic radio host; Paul J. Kim, speaker, author, and musician; Jackie Francois Angel, author, worship leader, and singer/songwriter; Sarah Swafford, founder of Emotional Virtues Ministries; Sister Bethany Madonna, SV, and many more.

Franciscan University’s adult summer conference season will begin June 5-7 with the return of Glory: Women’s Gathering, a women’s conference launched last summer. Other major conferences include the Power and Purpose Conference on June 12-14, the Priests, Deacons, Seminarians Retreat from June 15-19, the St. John Bosco Conference from July 20-23, the Applied Biblical Studies Conference from July 29-31, and the Defending the Faith Conference from July 31-August 2.

Featured speakers throughout the adult summer conference season include Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, president of Franciscan University; Dr. Scott Hahn, professor of biblical theology at Franciscan University; Heather Khym, co-founder of Life Restoration Ministries; Gavin Ashenden, associate editor of The Catholic Herald; Dr. John Bergsma, theology professor at Franciscan University; Father Carter Griffin, author and priest of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.; Dr. Jeffrey Morrow, theology professor at Franciscan University; Kimberly Hahn, author, speaker, and podcaster; Dr. Shane Owens, theology professor at Franciscan University; Dr. Andrew Swafford, professor of theology at Benedictine University; Dr. Marcus Peters, biblical theologian and EWTN host; Michelle Benzinger, podcast host and author; and many others.

This year’s Defending the Faith Conference will also feature expanded programming focused on evangelization and Catholic witness in the digital age, including a new interactive panel discussion titled “Defending the Faith in the Digital Age.” The panel will feature prominent Catholic content creators Keith Nester, Brian Holdsworth, Ana Munley, and Emily Dinneny.

The discussion will equip attendees and livestream viewers with practical tools for evangelization in online spaces, responding with charity amid division, navigating spiritual warfare, and fostering discernment and prayer in today’s digital culture. The featured guests will also host a live-recorded podcast during the conference.

“Registration is strong for our adult conferences. Glory: Women’s Gathering is returning for the second year and we’re excited to welcome back both new and returning guests,” said Kissinger. “This summer we’re expanding opportunities for encounter through open sessions, a free livestream, live podcasts, and conversations about sharing the faith in today’s digital world. We’re also crafting new social events for building community, and as always, we’re providing opportunities for prayer and renewal through reverent liturgies and powerful worship.”

For more information about the Steubenville Conferences, including schedules, speakers, and registration information, visit Steubenville Conferences.