Cinching together the disassembled pieces of the story of his in-laws, retired United States Army lieutenant
colonel Joseph P. Kenney never expected to find the seeds of a modern-day miracle. Nor did he foresee that, years later, his work would become the inspiration for readers from continents far and wide, would be part of interviews done with Emmy-winning broadcasters, and would reverberate through faith communities thirsty for hope in these unsure times.
His book Triumph Through Trial: The Untold Story Behind the Canonization of Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska, having the name of a saint affixed upon it, is written very much in colloquial and narrative tones. At its core, it is a story of perseverance: perseverance across generations, across combat zones, and across spiritual battles.
A Legacy in Motion
For Kenney, it was never just a book. It was a mission.
“I was impressed by the journey of my in-laws,” he says, referring to the Kulhan family, who had to flee tyranny in post war Slovakia under harrowing conditions. “They suffered through World War II and against all odds perilous, almost but for faith and freedom, and finally for the recognition of something truly miraculous that turned the Church upside down.”
That miracle, the cure of Father Ronald Pytel by the intercession of Blessed Faustina Kowalska, was the defining act in completing her canonization, allowing her to be declared the first saint of the new millennium. It was the involvement of the Kulhan family in these events firsthand that tied their narrative into something bigger than themselves.
Authenticity Rooted in Experience
Kenney’s military service gives an extra level of authenticity. Having served as an Army Aviator through a combat tour in Iraq, where he was awarded the Air Medal, he never saw sacrifice as an abstract concept. It was a living experience. The same could be said of his subsequent service as an Army JAG Officer, where he learned firsthand the importance of fighting for justice.
However, these roles paled in comparison to what he witnessed during the interim as a federal agent with the government task force assigned to investigate the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
“I knew what it meant to fight for something greater than oneself,” he says. “And I saw the same kind of selflessness in John Kulhan, my father-in-law. His story had to be told. It could not vanish with time.”
Having John attend a battlefield memorial at Dukla Pass, one of those rare instances where the place nearly took his life, was a pinnacle of his life.
“Like so many WWII veterans, he had buried the memories away. However, at that ceremony, he had finally been
honored for it. It was not only cathartic. It was needed.”
Kulhan then laid a wreath on the statue of General Svoboda, whose life he had saved decades earlier on the Russian Front. The moment the museum curator realized that the once nameless hero from Svoboda’s memoirs
was standing before him, the past finally found its witness. Kenney, nearby at that moment, realized this story
needed to be shared with the world.
The Book That Believes in Miracles
Written in clear, accessible prose, Triumph Through Trial does not veer into flowery language or doctrinal tone. It is rooted in personal interviews, journal entries, and raw testimonies. Kenney never sought to impress scholars but to touch hearts.
“Faith gives people the resolve to endure,” he explains. “This book reminds that miracles aren’t just relics of history. They live and breathe through the everyday struggles of our lives.”
That is what readers are responding to. Be it the podcast interview with Kate Delaney, the local media coverage, or Kenney’s televised conversation with Logan Crawford. The most common feedback he receives is the same. This story gives people hope.
Trials Behind the Scenes
But the path to publication has not been easy. Now determined to bring the story to the big screen, Kenney speaks candidly about being misled by fake producers and the discouragement of being brushed off in Hollywood.
“Often I say this is The Sound of Music on steroids,” says Kenney. “But the Kulhans were enduring something far, far more dangerous. They weren’t just singing across mountains. They had to crawl through the border fence and were almost killed by the guards while doing so.”
Still, Kenney holds fast to his vision.
“The Lord told Sister Faustina: For the suffering, not the success of a work, I give a reward. That sticks with me.”
A Call to Faith in a Fractured World
Kenney is not merely narrating a war story or a faith memoir. He is putting forth a challenge to his readers. To
persevere, to believe, to muster the last remnant of hope in the face of unbearable odds.
“If you’re going through hell,” he says, quoting an old adage, “keep going.”
Just like the Kulhans did. After war, imprisonment, and political exile, they ended up in America, where their sacrifice was finally honored with a legacy.
“John Kulhan could have become a general. He could have stayed and lived in comfort. But he chose faith over status. That is the heart of this story, doing what is right, not what is easy.”
Mercy Amid the Ruins
One of the most spiritually charged moments in Triumph Through Trial came not in Poland or Slovakia, but in the war torn Balkans. During the Bosnian conflict, the town of Medjugorje, a popular religious pilgrimage site, was spared from violence as locals rallied around an image of Divine Mercy.
Kenney parallels this to Sister Faustina’s prophecy that her convent in Krakow would be protected during World War II. It was. The city, unlike Warsaw, remained largely untouched.
“God’s hand didn’t erase suffering,” Kenney says. “But He provided mercy through it.”
Preserving Stories Before They Disappear
Being featured in America Inspire Magazine, Kenney says, is more than recognition. It’s a way to honor the unsung heroes of our history.
“There are so few WWII veterans now. Their families are aging. And these stories of integrity, courage, and quiet sacrifice are fading from memory.”
He hopes that through this platform, more families will be inspired to preserve their own legacies.
“If there is a story like this in your family, tell it. Write it. Share it. Because somebody, somewhere needs it.”
The Next Chapter
Now, Kenney is focused on translating the story for the screen.
“The book is the blueprint. The film would be the vessel to reach millions more. I’ve seen films about WWII that are very compelling, but none has the spiritual and emotional punch this one carries.”
He’s right. This isn’t just a historical tale. It’s a source of faith, healing, and proof that mercy still exists.
“This book isn’t just about a saint. It’s about people like us. People who suffer. People who pray. People who conquer.”
And so, Triumph Through Trial becomes exactly what its title promises. Not just a journey of survival, but an assent to greatness.
Explore and Connect
Buy the Book: Amazon
Watch the Interview: Logan Crawford TV Feature
Book Trailer: YouTube
Press Feature: WATE News
Podcast Interview: Kate Delaney Show
