Rami Qumsieh, who was born in the Holy Land, has had a lifelong ministry of helping Christians there, particularly those in Bethlehem and the surrounding communities who have been suffering economically because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
His goal is to raise awareness of their plight with the St. Joseph Project, through which Christian carvers make statues of the foster father of Jesus out of olive wood during the Year of St. Joseph, proclaimed by Pope Francis. Qumsieh says that sales of the statues benefits Christians and promotes devotion to St. Joseph.
In addition, contributing to the effort lets Catholics stand in solidarity with the Christian Holy Land.
“The pieces are made by Christian Palestinians in the Holy Land and specially blessed,” he says. “No two products are the same and each piece is an original creation.”
“It is important to keep in mind the suffering of our Catholic and Christian community in the Holy Land and give honor to St. Joseph’s profession as a woodworker,” said Qumsieh, founder of the apostolate Christians of the Holy Land. “Catholic Americans aren’t aware of the plight of my people. Over there, they don’t receive a stimulus check or money from the government. They’re on their own, trusting in the Lord.”
The Christian communities represent less than 2 percent of the population, and there are an estimated 70,000 of them in the Bethlehem region, he says.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which has virtually ended pilgrimages to the Holy Land since March 2020, caused economic hardship for Christians, many of whom made their livelihood as tour guides, translators, merchants and makers of religious items. Qumsieh said that 80 percent of the Christian community works in pilgrimage services.
A committed advocate for them, he says, “This is my life’s work. It defines who I have become in my life. My ministry is to build a connection in people’s hearts so they understand this Holy Land belongs to them because we have the most evidence that Jesus Christ was here on Earth.”
The carvers, themselves, have expressed gratitude for the St. Joseph Project, he said, because a majority of families have been out of work for more than a year.
Qumsieh regularly visits parishes throughout the United States to talk about the struggle of the Christian community in the Holy Land and to promote the project.
“I did not have a true devotion to St. Joseph until Pope Francis declared the Year of St. Joseph, and it was like an awakening in my heart,” he says. “Then, I started to read about him and get to know what he went through. The man was awesome, truly a wonderful example for us. He accepted God’s Will as his will and raised Jesus and protected him and Mary. He was a carpenter who worked with wood and a father who was truly devoted to the Holy Family.”
Qumsieh expressed his gratitude for Bishop Frank J. Caggiano in promoting the cause. “He has been incredible; he has been very helpful,” he said. “I remain grateful to Bishop Caggiano for never abandoning our Christian Holy Land.”
Qumsieh also urges pastors throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport to participate in the St. Joseph Project by downloading fliers from the website and making them available in church and the parish bulletins. Statues can be delivered as a group order to churches, thereby saving parishioners $10 on every statue.
Every carved statue of St. Joseph is blessed by Father Issa Hijazeen at the Church of the Nativity and the Church of the Shepherds Town.
“A purchase serves as a spiritual and corporal work of mercy as it employs, feeds and comforts those in need,” Qumsieh said. “It also demonstrates solidarity, loyalty and prudence toward the Christian identity of our Holy Land.”
He also believes the statues will give honor to St. Joseph’s profession as a carpenter and woodworker.
“These olive wood statues will memorialize this Year of St. Joseph and increase devotion to him, while helping our faithful Christians in Bethlehem,” he said.
(For further information, visit www.HolyLandDirect.com or email Qumsieh at info@holylanddirect.com.)