By OSV News
Four days after the Palisades Fire destroyed Corpus Christi Church, Capt. Bryan Nassour of the Los Angeles Fire Department recovered the church’s tabernacle. Nassour picked his way over a 6-foot layer of rubble in the ashen bones of the sanctuary and found the tabernacle Jan. 11. He felt compelled to do so after witnessing the devastation, which left the community “decimated.”
Nassour’s brother, who lost his home in the fire, belongs to Corpus Christi Parish. Determined to salvage something meaningful, Nassour decided to check the ruins for valuables to protect them from looters. Scorched bricks, tiles and hunks of debris filled the nave so high that he had to crawl under the top of door frames that no longer had doors. Amid the wreckage, he found the brass tabernacle, still intact, with the Blessed Sacrament inside.
Despite its weight of over 300 lbs., Nassour and his crew managed to transport it to their fire station. He described the moment as “uplifting,” noting that even non-religious colleagues were moved by the act. For Nassour, recovering the tabernacle was a way to give the devastated community something to hold onto – a symbol of faith amid the destruction.
How to Help the Victims of the Fires
“Please keep praying for all those suffering in the wildfires sweeping through southern California. My heart goes out to our neighbors who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Let’s pray for them and let’s pray for our firefights and first responders. May God keep all of our brothers and sisters safe and bring an end to these fires,” shared Archbishop José Gomez.
Archdiocese of Los Angeles Donation Portal https://pgp.givecentral.org/appeal-pages/acp677ee5d3c2280
Catholic Charities USA launches Relief fund for Survivors of Los Angeles wildfires – Visit https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/?form=25LAFires&utm_campaign=20250108_00270_LAFires25Comms&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=comms&utm_content=disaster
