A statue of the Virgin Mary survived unscathed as wildfires devastated the Halpin family’s home in Los Angeles, USA. Despite the surrounding destruction, the statue, along with a Saint Joseph figure, remained mostly intact.
Peter Halpin shared his astonishment in a Fox News report: “Everything had gotten fried, but the statue of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph were in perfect condition. Obviously, they were a little singed, but we took that opportunity to pray.”
The Halpin family, whose home has been dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, gathered to pray and sing a family hymn to the Virgin Mary when they visited the site of their burned home. Although their visit technically violated local regulations, the emotional moment was captured on video and unexpectedly went viral on Instagram.
“Our intention was not for this thing to go viral at all,” Peter clarified. “It was just a family moment, but the response from the community has been unbelievable and heartfelt.”
Peter’s wife, Jacki, expressed her gratitude for their safety and the years spent in their home. She plans to make a personal pilgrimage to the site to offer prayers of thanksgiving. “I just want to be grateful as much as I can for what we’ve had,” she said.
