The Great Books Honors Program also provides an exciting intellectual challenge for students in any major. When combined with the Humanities and Catholic Culture Major, students gain a solid grounding in theology, philosophy, and the major contributions of Catholicism to western culture. Over 200 students annually encounter the roots of Christianity and western civilization firsthand through the university s semester abroad program in Gaming, Austria. Franciscan University of Steubenville embraces the mission of Jesus Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Franciscan University's faith households help students overcome the loneliness endemic to life on most campuses.
Households are small groups of students who share, support, and pray with one another.
Some 650 students participate in the 51 households that form the nucleus of campus life and encourage wholesome living. Each semester a campus-wide retreat issues a strong call to students to stop drifting with the current of pop culture. The majority of undergraduates participate, and they are invited to make an adult commitment to Jesus Christ and to the church's teachings on faith and morals. That challenge continues all year with a full sacramental life, lectures, retreats, spiritual direction, and prayer meetings. The university fosters this service primarily through its Works of Mercy Program, which closely collaborates with local service organizations.