STEUBENVILLE, OHIO — As the 50th anniversary of Steubenville Conferences comes to a close, Franciscan University of Steubenville rejoices in what the Lord has done and looks forward to a future of deeper evangelization, wider reach, and ongoing spiritual renewal.

This summer, more than 43,000 youth and adults attended Steubenville Conferences across North America, encountering the love of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit through prayer, fellowship, and dynamic Catholic teaching. Now, as the mission enters its next chapter, Franciscan University is launching Franciscan Revival, a new series of one-day events designed to spark deeper renewal and bring the Gospel to people across the country.

Over the course of the summer, 15 youth conferences were held at regional locations throughout the United States and Canada, with another four youth and six adult conferences hosted on campus in Steubenville. These events featured powerful worship, eucharistic adoration, and talks from well-respected Catholic speakers and leaders in the Church today including 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, Dr. Shane Owens, and many others.

A major highlight was the launch of the first-ever Glory: Women’s Gathering, a powerful weekend conference co-sponsored with Life Restoration Ministries and the Abiding Together podcast. Women from across the country gathered June 6–8 on the Franciscan University campus to worship, pray, and experience the restorative power of God’s presence. Speakers included Heather Khym, Michelle Benzinger, Debbie Herbeck, and Sarah Kaczmarek, with music 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 added, “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.”

Franciscan Revival Begins in 2026

With an eye toward the next 50 years, Franciscan University is launching Franciscan Revival. This bold new initiative features single-day, mini-conferences offered year-round. These events will have live worship, inspiring kerygmatic preaching, and many opportunities for personal renewal.

The first two Revival events will be held before Holy Week on March 28, 2026, in Orange, California, and before the Advent season on November 14, 2026, outside Dallas, Texas.

Confirmed speakers include Chris Stefanick, Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, Heather Khym, and Bishop Joe Espaillat, with additional speakers to be announced.

“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 Revival, Franciscan University will continue to host its Night of Joy events on campus during both the Advent and Easter seasons. These evening gatherings feature powerful Catholic preaching and worship, and they will also be available via livestream to parishes and homes across the globe.

As Franciscan University celebrates five decades of fruitful ministry through Steubenville Conferences, the mission remains the same: to lead others to encounter the living Jesus Christ, to deepen discipleship, and to rebuild the Church one heart at a time.

To view a gallery of select images from the summer conferences, click here.