Virgin Mary Statue Unscathed After Los Angeles Wildfire
VIRGIN MARY – The statue of the Blessed Virgin became a symbol of hope after surviving the wildfire in Los Angeles.
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles, California, have caused massive damage, with 25 confirmed deaths, 30 people missing, and thousands forced from their homes. The fires, which began on January 7, 2025, even destroyed the homes of famous Hollywood actors.
One family’s story, however, has captured widespread attention. Despite the fires reaching their home in South Pasadena, a Virgin Mary statue and a St. Joseph statue in their yard survived almost completely unharmed. While this may seem like a small thing to some, the statues have become a strong symbol of hope for many affected by the disaster.
The story was widely shared by U.S. news outlets, focusing on the incredible survival of these statues at the home of Peter and Jackie Halpin. The couple, along with their six children, visited their property after the fire to assess the damage. Although their home was completely destroyed, they found the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph statues still standing, only slightly scorched by the fire.
Peter told Fox News on January 13, 2025, that despite the pain of losing their home, seeing the statues still standing helped them heal. “It was healing for us to get on to our property,” Peter said.
The family gathered at the site of their old home and sang a song of praise, which was recorded by a friend and quickly shared on social media. Their children, who are active in church choirs, sang beautifully. Jackie said they never planned for the moment to go viral, but the response from the community has been deeply moving and sincere.
Along with emotional support, the Halpin family received financial assistance through a GoFundMe campaign started by Peter’s brother, Pete Halpin. The original goal was $90,000, but the campaign has now raised over $135,000, with more donations still coming in. Despite their loss, the Halpin family’s faith and the survival of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph statues continue to give hope to their community.
