File photo CONFERENCE – Franciscan University of Steubenville in Steubenville is preparing to host thousands of visitors this summer as it marks the 50th anniversary of its Steubenville Youth Conferences and a full season of Catholic conferences focused on evangelization, worship and formation.

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

Following last summer’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the university’s adult conferences, this year marks a milestone for the Steubenville Youth Conferences, which have impacted generations of young Catholics through worship, the sacraments, 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, 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.

Youth conference speakers this summer include Father Mike Schmitz; Chris Stefanick; Father Leo Patalinghug; Katie Prejean McGrady; Paul J. Kim; Jackie Francois Angel; Sarah Swafford; Sister Bethany Madonna, SV, and others.

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

Featured speakers include Father Dave Pivonka, TOR; Dr. Scott Hahn; Heather Khym; Gavin Ashenden; Dr. John Bergsma; Father Carter Griffin; Dr. Jeffrey Morrow; Kimberly Hahn; Dr. Shane Owens; Dr. Andrew Swafford; Dr. Marcus Peters; Michelle Benzinger and others.

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

The discussion will focus on evangelization in online spaces, responding with charity amid division, spiritual warfare, and fostering discernment and prayer in today’s digital culture.

“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,” Kissinger said. “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, visit Steubenville Conferences.