STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Over 44,000 Catholics worldwide watched Night of Hope, a Franciscan University of Steubenville virtual summer conference for Catholic adults.

A free livestream recording of the July 19 conference is now available.

The first speaker, Sister Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, countered the darkness and isolation that has enveloped the world since the arrival of COVID-19 with a message of hope: “No matter what happens in your life or my life, God cares about us; he’s attentive to every detail of our lives.”

In his keynote talk, “Hope to Die, Hope to Rise: Cultivating Eucharistic Amazement,” Franciscan University theology professor Dr. Scott Hahn said “Though we sometimes wonder why God allows all this sickness, suffering, and evil, we take a look at the cross and we see the greatest evil ever perpetrated, see the greatest suffering ever endured, and then the greatest gift God has ever given—the salvation of the human race.”

In his reflection during eucharistic adoration, Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, president of Franciscan University, said, “Jesus wants to go to you wherever you are. . . God is bigger than we could possibly imagine and the same God who dwells here desires to pour out his Holy Spirit upon you now.”

Near the end of the evening, the speakers engaged the audience in Christ the King Chapel and online in a Q & A session that ranged from the meaning of suffering to how to encounter Christ’s mercy in our daily lives.

Unlike most online conferences, Night of Hope used technology to create a “you are there” approach, making for a unique interactive experience.

Watch and share the Night of Hope livestream recording on the Steubenville Conferences Night of Hope webpage.