Taking the Hand of God: John O’Leary’s Journey from Tragedy to Triumph Inspires Millions

Watch the incredible interview with John O’Leary above.

In a powerful Hugh’s on First with the Catholic Church Q&A interview, John O’Leary shared how God transformed a childhood tragedy into a lifelong mission of hope. In this conversation, led by Hugh Macken and co-hosted by Jeannine Szumigala, O’Leary reflected on faith and family, and explained how everyday people became instruments of grace in his darkest hours. His story reveals that God often works His greatest miracles through the simple courage and kindness of ordinary souls.

John O’Leary shared the story behind the film, Soul on Fire, a true testament to faith in the midst of tragedy. He recounted how, at nine years old, he was burned over 100% of his body in a gasoline explosion. His mother’s words at his hospital bedside—“You take the hand of God and you fight like you’ve never fought before”—became a defining moment in his life of faith and resilience.

Throughout the discussion, O’Leary reflected on how ordinary people—his family, his sister who ran into the flames to save him, and broadcaster Jack Buck, who visited him daily—became extraordinary instruments of God’s grace. He described how these encounters revealed that heroism and holiness are found not in perfection but in humble love and perseverance. O’Leary also shared how his father’s lifelong battle with Parkinson’s and his joyful faith until death profoundly shaped his understanding of true strength.

When asked if he would change the past, O’Leary said, “Of course, I’d do it again. God used the fire to draw me closer to Him.” He came to understand his experience through the lens of St. Ignatius of Loyola. “Ignatius had his cannonball,” he reflected. “My fire became mine. God used it to draw me into a completely different life.” Like Ignatius, O’Leary discovered that God can use suffering not to break us, but to redirect us toward our true calling. His message to listeners was simple yet powerful—whatever your wounds, physical or spiritual, “You are not alone. God is working through it, and your best is yet to come.”

To learn more about John’s mission and ministry, visit johnolearyinspires.com