My trip to the Franciscan University of Steubenville
Evan Connors
Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending Franciscan University’s Applied Biblical Studies Conference. A 2025 alumnus myself, it was a delight to return to campus—which has changed a lot since I last visited in 2014—and see how the Lord is working in the Midwest bastion of intellectual Catholicism situated along the Ohio River.
Given it was a conference of applied study, Dr. Scott Hahn left us five practical fundamentals for living out the Paschal Mystery, the topic of his final workshop:
- Go to Mass like you mean it—you are walking into an audience with a King;
- Receive Communion as what it truly is—keep frequent confession so your “Amen” holds no reservation;
- Make your home a “little Passover household”—grace, Scripture, the liturgical year lived out;
- Carry Emmanuel out the doors—The Mass ends in a sending, not a dismissal;
- Live in hope, not anxiety—God clears ground to build something greater.
The Eucharist is in essence, as Dr. Hahn says, the primordial New Testament, which was a sacrament and living tradition before it was holy writ. It is through the Eucharistic meal we maximize our participation in Christ’s Body. This sacramental locus is the impetus for Franciscan Univeristy—a call to communion through spiritual, intellectual and human formation.
Coinciding with the conference was the 25th anniversary of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, an apostolate founded by Dr. Scott and Kimberly Hahn dedicated to studying and living out Scripture within the life of the Catholic Church. The first night of the conference concluded with a social event at the St. Paul Center, which for the first time is now operating at a level of self-sufficiency. To celebrate, all attendees received a coupon to the bookstore (I splurged, and think I may have made them self-sustaining for next year, too).
Franciscan University is a beautiful and lush campus. As such, it is apt for the style of prayer practiced by St. Bonaventure, a Franciscan bishop and theologian whose unique theology emphasizes the “divine mirroring” of God in nature. One day, I ventured to the Portiuncula Chapel, a replica of the chapel built by St. Francis of Assisi. It was there I experienced great comfort praying inside and outside at the Marian grotto. In the shadow of the trees I recalled from my Franciscan education the Prayer of St. Bonaventure: “…and be Thou alone ever my hope, my entire confidence, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession, my treasure; in Whom may my mind and my heart be ever fixed and firm and rooted immovably. Amen.”
It was through St. Bonaventure’s prayer I felt the peace of which St. Matthew wrote, and which Dr. John Bergsma quoted the first day of the conference: “So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.” (Mt. 6:31-34).
The whole experience was a reminder from God that he is in control of everything—if only we totally abandon ourselves to his care, what worries could avail us? With what haste did Matthew, then Levi, a disowned son and traitor to his people, leave his collection of Roman yokes for the easy and light yoke of Christ upon hearing the words “Follow me.” (Mt. 9:9).
Franciscan University itself is a testament to this unfailing trust in God. Fr. Michael Scanlan, former President of Franciscan University, trusted in the Lord when the decision came in the 1970s to take drastic measures to save the college from financial ruin. Drs. Hahn and Bergsma, both former Protestants, entrusted themselves to God and joined the Catholic faith despite pressure from their intellectual and ecumenial circles; in 2001, they began the St. Paul Center with a fledgling base of operation. Today, Franciscan University and the St. Paul Center are stronger than ever. They are marvelous institutions that personify God’s faithfulness to those who trust him.
If you have children or grandchildren exploring college, please consider Franciscan University for its orthodox curriculum, expert faculty and Christ-centered student life.
