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The devastating 2025 Los Angeles wildfires reduced thousands of homes to rubble. But the survival of one family’s Virgin Mary statue became a viral sensation, symbolizing the resilience of a community engulfed in flames.
Host Abby Hornacek uncovers the Halpin family’s remarkable story in the brand-new, three-part Fox Nation series, ‘Unexplained Mysteries of Faith.’ In the final episode of the show, she visits Altadena to speak with Peter Halpin and his wife, Jackie, who recount the story of how their Virgin Mary statue survived destruction — and the viral hymn they sang around it.
“It was totally unintended,” Halpin said. “As a matter of fact, we all just stood around. We said a family prayer that we say together, and then we decided to sing that song.”
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A statue of The Virgin Mary remained amid ash and rubble after wildfires destroyed a southern California family’s home of 37 years. (Jackie Halpin)
The Halpins reflected on how the comfort of their singing helped them through the initial shock of losing their house, and remarked that the statue’s survival also impacted others.
“Being in that kind of state where you just lost your home and [are] in shock,” he continued. “I think it gave a lot of people hope, because we believe in God, we are a prayerful family, and we just felt like it was something we should do.”
During a January 2026 interview with Angelus News, Jackie echoed a similar sentiment, explaining how she couldn’t recover from the emotional toll the wildfires caused without her faith.
“I could not have done it without my faith,” she said. “You can be really sad and still be grateful. You can be in pain and believe in redemptive suffering, and that has really sustained me this year. Offering all my sufferings back to Jesus — you just cling to the cross, and I just offer all my sufferings for my children and their needs.”
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A house burns as the Palisades Fire rages on at the Mandeville Canyon, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 11, 2025. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)
Throughout “Unexplained Mysteries of Faith,” Hornacek dives deep into sacred places, odd occurrences, and personal stories that some say are shaped by miracles.
In episode one, she travels to Loretto Chapel in New Mexico, which features a mysterious spiral staircase with no visible support, nails, or a central column.
Hornacek examines the bizarre disappearance of the carpenter who built it, and how the unexplainable led to some citing faith as the reason behind its existence.
During episode two, she investigates the stunning story behind St. Frances Cabrini, the Italian-born nun who became America’s first saint. Despite her chronic illnesses, she set sail to New York City to help Italian immigrants facing discrimination and opened 67 educational centers, orphanages, and other public institutions during her lifetime.
Her extraordinary strength is cited by her strongest believers as faith in action, with her legacy continuing across generations.
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Abby Hornacek hosts the new Fox Nation series, ‘Unexplained Mysteries of Faith,’ streaming August 3. (Fox Nation)
Hornacek previously hosted several Fox Nation productions, including ‘PARK’D,’ in which she explores America’s majestic national parks, partnering with local guides and regional experts to showcase the country’s incredible beauty.
To uncover more about these fascinating stories of how faith shaped the understanding of inspiring American events, tune in to “Unexplained Mysteries of Faith,” now streaming exclusively on Fox Nation.
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