Hope In Darkness: L.A. Christians Sing Praise Song While Standing In Rubble Of Their Former Home

In Altadena, California, a Catholic family who lost their house in the historic wildfires stood together in the rubble of what was their home and sang praise songs, video shows.

The video, uploaded by Gianna Halpin and shared by journalist Sachin Jose, shows the Halpin family singing “Regina Caeli” in Latin. According to a fundraiser set up for the family, the Halpins lived in the home for 35 years before it was destroyed on Tuesday night.

People find solace in singing ‘Regina Caeli,’ O Queen of Heaven, after witnessing the devastation of the fire in California.

Video: Gianna Halpin pic.twitter.com/ENfA4tCceS

— Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) January 10, 2025

This is the Halpin family glorifying God in the rubble of their own home. They are among a number of marvelous people I know whose homes have been destroyed or damaged by the fires. This may be the worst disaster to strike L.A. in my lifetime – sure feels like it https://t.co/pg0EoDbhjK

— Edward Feser (@FeserEdward) January 10, 2025

“Regina Caeli” translates to “Queen of Heaven.” The church hymn is about Mary rejoicing at the resurrection of her son, Jesus Christ. The “Queen of Heaven” prayer goes as follows:

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
For he whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.
Has risen, as he said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, O virgin Mary, alleluia.
For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pete Halpin, who organized the fundraiser for his parents and sister, wrote that his family has been “overwhelmed by your incredible generosity. Your gifts to them, and likely to many others, are true instances of God’s love.”

JOIN THE MOVEMENT IN ’25 WITH 25% OFF DAILYWIRE+ ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS WITH CODE DW25

Halpin noted that his father’s concrete company, Halpin Bros. Concrete, “is preparing to help expedite wherever possible, site clean-up for our neighbors in Altadena and in the St. Monica Academy community.”

As highlighted by The Christian Post, Christian organizations, including nonprofits CityServe and World Help, have already stepped up to help those in need in California. The organizations are “deploying vital aid and working with local churches and community partners to provide immediate relief to those in need,” the Post reported Friday.

Related: LA Fire Chief Reportedly Called To Mayor’s Office ‘To Be Fired.’ Here’s What We Know.