Coached by the Curé

06/20/2025

I had another excellent conversation with Matthew Leonard on his podcast "The Art of Catholic" about what lessons we can learn from St. John Vianney's spiritual and often violent physical battles with Satan.

Vianney ended up nicknaming Satan "le Grappin" or "Grabber" in English because Satan attacked Vianney by grabbing him and throwing him around at night in his rectory.

But no attacks had Grappin's desired effect. Instead of intimidating Vianney and detracting from his hours in the confessional and in front of the tabernacle, Vianney spent even more time with Jesus, as he leaned on Our Lady for her support. This, of course, infuriated Grappin and in a moment of rage he admitted to Vianney that if " there were three such priests as you, my kingdom would be ruined."

You don't want to miss this episode of "The Art of Catholic". You might be very surprised to learn what St. Vianney endured most nights as he attempted to sleep.

What lessons does a parish priest who battled the Devil (and won) have to share with us? Matthew Leonard is joined by author Kevin Wells who has published a ...

05/31/2025

Happy 100-year anniversary of the canonization of St. John Marie Vianney!

Today is a day to celebrate a life well lived and to strive to follow in St. Vianney’s footsteps to heaven. Writing about his life this past year created a stark contrast between his sacrificial love for the souls around him and mine.

I am not even close to where he was. I am galaxies and galaxies away. His life has been a kick in the teeth. It has reminded me of the enormity of my sinfulness. Reading his biographies shook me; grabbed me by my face mask to reorient me to what sacrifice, virtue, and unblinking discipleship demands. This contrast led me to work to be a better husband to my wife, father to my children, and friend to those in need.

To make St. Vianney’s life even more accessible to the world on this special day, I am releasing the first installment of Chapter 1 of my book “Coached by the Curé: Lessons in Shepherding with St. John Vianney”. I will release part two later this week.

Beware of my Irish imagination. I attempt to take the reader to a conversation among the greatest priest-saints in the history of the world. The dialogue unfolds in Heaven.

“Chapter 1: The Dialogue of the Saints” is set to music and read by my good friend Bill Wannell as images I collected from St. Vianney’s life flash across the screen. I hope this series of vignette videos brings to life the monumental importance of this priest’s sacrificial love in the life of the church.

[ Click here to watch: https://kevinwells.org/chapter-one ]

Enjoy!