Community is integral to the human condition, and it is no less so among college students. However, that sense of belonging seems more elusive today than ever before. According to a recent survey of approximately 1,100 U.S. college and university students, nearly two-third expressed loneliness and a little more than half shared they were concerned for their friends’ mental health.
Even in 1974, Father Michael Scanlan, TOR, observed the same isolation, loneliness, and longing for real friendship between students as the new president of what would become Franciscan University. Rather than leaving students to sort out their social lives according to the shifting mores of the times, he discerned he should make an institution-wide change. Believing that true Christian friendship was essential to any Catholic’s life, Father Michael instituted faith households as part of student life at Franciscan University.
Like any new effort, household life bore its triumphs and tribulations alike. Over the past five decades, 150 households have been founded, with 48 households in existence today. As alumni and current students share their experiences, it is undoubted that Father Michael’s efforts to form mini-communities based in Christian friendship continue to succeed.
Lifelong Friendships
Theresa (Fischer ’80) Danaher says the common life with her Our God Reigns Household sisters anchored those relationships to last a lifetime. However, when she was a student, household wasn’t a group you necessarily voluntarily joined.
“Households were based on the wing you lived in in the dorm,” she explains. “You came in as new students, and every woman in that hallway made up that household.”
Theresa says this method resulted in a powerful lesson.
“One of the things I found unique was it challenged you to build relationships with people you wouldn’t necessarily be drawn to otherwise,” she reflects. “Sometimes it was a challenge, but it was also a blessing.”
While many aspects have changed in household life, Theresa attests many core elements were present in the very beginning: Each household wrote up an agreement (or a covenant), had weekly commitments, elected a coordinator, and even had an advisor. Another familiar trait also existed back in the beginning of households—a sense of identity.
“We were known as ‘the OGRes’—we were pranksters!” she says.
Her household loved each other through acts of wholesome fun, such as when a household sister suffered from appendicitis and was taken to the hospital.
“It was the night of one of the formals,” Theresa recalls. “Instead of going to the dance, we snuck into the hospital and had a little party for our household sister.”
Years after graduation, this same household sister developed cancer. Carrying on the fun-loving spirit from their college days, the OGRes reunited for a weekend in Delaware.
“We had two rooms, we piled in, and we spent a lot of time with Diane (Kerr ’82) Kalivoda. It was one of the last times we were together at the end of her life,” says Theresa.
A Household Renewal
Some households, like Our God Reigns, serve the student community for a time and then end. But every once in a while, students rediscover inactive households and discern that their charisms are needed once again on campus. For sophomore Joseph Vasquez and his friends, Prince of Peace Household embodies the path of holiness they were seeking.
“Although I deeply desired community, I could not find my place in any other household,” admits Joseph. “God made it very clear to me that I was to create my own place on campus, and that was made clear in the revival of Prince of Peace.”
He ardently prayed at least 10 men would join him in a new Prince of Peace Household. To his surprise, 16 other young men “came out of the woodwork” to re-form this men’s household.
“It wasn’t just the number that astonished me,” says Joseph, “but it was that not one man who joined was looking for recognition of any kind. They were looking to grow in holiness.”
Although Prince of Peace Household only reactivated in fall 2024, Joseph already sees good fruit. “Household has helped me to grow in such a short period of time that I can guarantee that for the rest of my time at Franciscan, I will only continue to grow in virtue,” he says.
Persevering in Prayer
One of the oldest households on campus also faced extinction. But Carae Domini Household has a comeback story filled with the Holy Spirit.
“In spring of 1987, everyone but Stephanie (Steckler ’90) Bryson graduated, leaving her the only member of Carae Domini in the fall,” recounts Jennifer Browner ’91. “She was trying to discern whether to join a new household or see if Carae Domini would be viable. One of the friars encouraged her to wait through freshman orientation and household week to see what might transpire.”
While Stephanie prayed, awaiting new household sisters, the Lord prepared a generous gift. After freshman orientation, Jennifer and 11 other residents of St. Thomas More Hall decided Carae Domini, Latin for “Beloved of the Master,” was their “household home.”
“Carae Domini lived on!” Jennifer says.
When asked why she joined Carae Domini, Jennifer says, “What drew me was the devotion to Our Lady to bring us closer to Christ and to become a ‘beloved of the Master.’ I also loved the Scripture we followed that focused on community. We had a strong community life from the beginning.”
That same sense of community has persisted through the decades.
Maggie Craig ’15 MA ’17 says, “Everything I wanted to do, I could do with a household sister. Need to study in the library? There was already a table of Carae Domini girls waiting for me. Need a quick sandwich before class? Household sisters were already walking over. Want to go to Mass? Carae Domini was already sitting in our spot.”
Though Maggie now travels the country as a Catholic speaker and evangelist, the lessons she learned in household still ground her.
“Household taught me the indispensability of a sisterhood rooted in faith,” she explains. “No matter where I lived or what job I worked or the hours I kept, I knew having solid friendships rooted in Christ was non-negotiable.”
Sharing Faith
Community plays a major role in household life, but prayer and a shared faith make households unique among college groups. For example, the prayer and devotion of the Knights of the Holy Queen attracted Jamie Gonzales ’07 MA ’11.
“The Knights were known for having this beautiful love for Our Lady that seemed to inspire,” he says. “The vulnerability they each had when petitioning Our Lady and pouring out their hearts was also touching.”
Not to be outdone, the Knights’ Heavenly Queen returned their love by bringing them closer together as spiritual brothers. Jamie describes one such experience that occurred when the Knights were on their annual retreat.
“We had a brother who had been struggling with some medical issues, and he asked us all to pray for him,” Jamie recalls. “In the midst of 20 guys praying, several of the brothers smelled roses. We were convinced the Blessed Mother was truly present among us that night.”
For Debbie (Stetts ’06) Pienta, the very name of her household, Sacrifice of Love, drew her in.
“It stirred something deep within me. It got me pondering what it means to sacrifice out of love and then ultimately WHO is the Sacrifice of Love,” she says.
Debbie also discovered a profound richness in praying together as sisters.
“Praying with other women, with my friends, with my sisters, was really moving and helped solidify the desire to keep working at the spiritual life.”
The Great Commission
While it would be wonderful to stay atop that hill in Steubenville with their households forever, students must descend, like the disciples after the Transfiguration, to take what they received into the world.
In fact, Crown of Creation Household exists to prepare young women to bring Pope St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body to a world that sorely needs it.
“The message of the Theology of the Body is something the Church should constantly speak to because of the state of our world when it comes to human sexuality,” Katerina Balick ’24 says. “So many men and women are confused about the purpose of their bodies, and they do not know the purpose of their life as a whole. They need to know why they were created and the beauty of marriage between men and women.”
Sophomore Thaddeus Becker also says his formation with Guardians of the Divine Will Household is preparing him to go out on mission.
“My brothers are helping me grow in my authentic masculinity as a man with a pure heart for just the Lord’s heart,” he says. “This gives me the proper predisposition to give my entire life to him, and through which, he will send me forth from this University to a life of mission.”
Ongoing Influence
Household spirit is contagious and long-lasting, as Dan Thimons ’01 found.
“I could state some noble purpose for joining Conquer Through Love Household,” Daniel confesses, “but it was for the pranks and practical jokes.”
Though Conquer Through Love seemed to plan and perform every prank in the book, Dan shares that at the heart of the household was a deeper mission.
“I was guided and formed by the mission of the household to ‘Conquer Through Love,’” he says.
This mission extends to his career, as he and his biological and household brother, Tom, founded MyCatholicWill.com to encourage fellow Catholics to love in new ways, whether by encouraging the traditional practice of Catholic burial, having Masses offered for the deceased, or estate planning. Through it, Dan has even reunited with household brothers who have assisted with legal and technical needs, all while carrying on the legacy and charism of Conquer Through Love.
“To date, thousands of people have created a will through our platform and generously gifted over $250 million to Catholic organizations,” he says. “MyCatholicWill. com is fulfilling Conquer Through Love’s mission by encouraging one’s last will and testament to be a true act of love and charity.”
Households: A Gift
Although they do not live on campus with their household brothers and sisters anymore, many alumni say their household community remains a huge blessing.
“When you invest yourself in building relationships based on your shared faith, they last a lifetime,” Theresa explains. “Forty-seven years later, it’s still a very important part of my life.”
As she completed her final classes in December 2024, Katerina felt well prepared to share the Gospel, thanks to her household formation.
“I will be working in a secular environment with those who likely do not follow the Church’s teachings on human sexuality,” she says. “If they ever ask me what extracurriculars I was involved with in college, I can speak about Crowns and hopefully evangelize them with the message of Theology of the Body.”
Gregory Sisco ’13 of Fishers of Men Household says his time with his brothers made him ready for his career and family life.
“There were ups and downs. Household helped me to learn to live in community and to love unconditionally,” he says, adding, “It helped me to prepare to be a witness in the corporate world.”
And even in her hidden, everyday life, Debbie often returns to her household’s charism.
“Household taught me not to fear sacrifice but to expect it,” she reflects. “Motherhood has stretched me so thin at times with very little in return, but I know that in the discomfort of emptying of self, that is exactly when I am closest to Christ.”
