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Over 41,000 youth and adults will attend faith-sharing conferences in Steubenville and in 10 other states and Canada.

"Mercy, many say, is God's greatest attribute," said University President Father Terence Henry, TOR, "and there is nothing for which we should be more thankful. That mercy, after all, is our hope and our salvation. It's what enables us—fallen, broken sinners that we are—to have life and life abundant. I can't think of a more important theme."

"The 'Rich in Mercy' conference theme was discerned over one year ago," said Mark Nehrbas, executive director of Christian Outreach. "Little did we know that Blessed John Paul II, who promoted the message of Divine Mercy so vigorously throughout his pontificate, would be beatified on the Feast of Divine Mercy a few weeks before we kick off our conference season. This is a wonderful affirmation of the timeliness of this message for the whole world."

This summer's schedule features dozens of well-known speakers, scholars, and Church leaders, including Donald Cardinal Wuerl and Bishop Martin D. Holley of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.

Here is the lineup for the Adult Summer Conferences:

• The Catholic Charismatic Conference, June 10-12, theme "Streams of Living Water." Hosted by Mark Nehrbas, the conference will have a new three-track structure. Speakers include Mark Nimo, international evangelist and former member of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services Council (ICCRS) at the Vatican; Dr. Alan Schreck, Franciscan University theology professor and popular author; and Jim Murphy, director of the International Institute for Catholic Charismatic Leadership Formation. Attendees will get the chance to honor former Franciscan University president and chancellor Father Michael Scanlan, TOR, a long-time leader in the charismatic renewal.
• The Priests, Deacons, and Seminarians Conference, June 13-17, theme "In God's Hands." Co-hosted by Father Michael Scanlan, TOR, and Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, the conference will have a new retreat format. Speakers include Bishop Martin D. Holley, auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.; Father Francis Martin, renowned Scripture scholar; and Kimberly Hahn, author and international speaker. Attendees will get the chance to honor Father Michael Scanlan, TOR, who founded the University's Priests, Deacons, and Seminarians conference in 1975.
• The St. John Bosco Conference for Catechists and Religious Educators, July 20-24, theme "Alive in Christ." Through general session talks and more than 30 workshops, attendees can become eligible for certification in Catechumenal Ministry (RCIA), Catechist Certification, DRE Certification, and Youth Ministry. Hosted by Franciscan University catechetics professor Ron Bolster, speakers will include Father J. Brian Bransfield, executive director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis; Petroc Willey of the Maryvale Institute, England; and Father Pierre de Cointet and Father Benoît Caulle of the Studium of Notre Dame de Vie in France.
• The Applied Biblical Studies Conference, July 27-29, theme "The Gospel of Matthew: Mysteries of the Kingdom." Hosted by Dr. Scott Hahn, speakers include Dr. John Bergsma, Franciscan University theology professor and speaker; Dr. Brant Pitre, professor of Sacred Scripture at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans; and Dr. Edward Sri, author and co-founder of FOCUS Ministries.
• The Defending the Faith Conference, July 29-July 31, theme "Ambassadors for Christ." Co-hosted by Dr. Alan Schreck and Dr. Scott Hahn, speakers include Donald Cardinal Wuerl of Washington, D.C.; Dion DiMucci, rock legend and Catholic revert; Patrick Madrid, prolific author and popular apologist; and Jeff Cavins, creator of The Great Adventure Bible study series.

Franciscan University catechetics professor Bob Rice will lead the music ministry at the conferences.

Also, Franciscan University of Steubenville Youth Conferences will take place on campus and across North America, drawing tens of thousands of high schoolers to pray, praise, and encounter Jesus Christ in a radically transforming way.

In addition to the spiritual opportunities available at each summer conference, guests can receive a plenary indulgence with a visit to the Portiuncula Chapel, a replica of the chapel rebuilt by St. Francis of Assisi. The decree issued in 2009 by the Vatican Office of the Apostolic Penitentiary enables conference-goers and other visitors to obtain full remission of the temporal punishment due for one's own sins or the sins of a soul in purgatory by following the usual conditions.

To register for the conferences or for more information, visit the Franciscan University Conferences Web site, or the Youth Conferences Web site, or call the Christian Outreach Office at 1-800-437-8368.