The Latin parish of Ramla is helping-thanks to volunteers-in the olive harvest on the grounds of the Salesian monastery in Beit Jamal. This is because Palestinian workers, due to the war, are not allowed to enter Israel. Fr GIANMARIA GIANNAZZA, S.D.B. Rector Beit Jamal Monastery Normally workers come from Yatta and Hebron, but due to circumstances they cannot come to help with the collection. We needed volunteers! And precisely to help the Salesians with the olive harvest, the Parish of Saints Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea in Ramla organized this volunteer activity for the faithful and Franciscan youth. EMILE MARCO Franciscan Youth – Ramla Despite the circumstances, we young people of St. Francis enthusiastically came here to volunteer and help the Salesians with the olive harvest. As children of St. Francis, we continue to work in His spirit; Francis always helped others with dignity and love. MARIA TARZZI Franciscan Youth – Ramla Today, I have two reasons to be happy: the first is that I love to be in nature with my nearest and dearest, and the second is that I do my best to help others in whatever I can. Br ABDEL MASIH FAHIM, ofm Latin priest of Ramla I thank everyone who contributed to any kind of volunteer activity that shows the spirit of Christianity, the spirit of Christ, the spirit of the giving church. Those who give are loved by God. There are about 3,000 olive trees in Beit Jamal Monastery. Fr GIANMARIA GIANNAZZA, S.D.B. Rector Beit Jamal Monastery Last year with the harvest we got 2500 liters. Beit Jamal's olive comes from a very high quality vine, from the Tuscany region of Italy. Beit Jamal has biblical origins. Fr GIANMARIA GIANNAZZA, S.D.B. Rector Beit Jamal Monastery The name Beit Jamal is derived from Kafr Jamal, in reference to the name of the Sanhedrin president Jamlail, mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. According to Father Gianmaria Giannazza, St. Stephen, the first martyr, was buried by Gamaliel precisely in Kafr Gamla, today's Beit Jamal. The monastery complex contains a small church dedicated to the saint, built on the ruins of an earlier Byzantine-era church. Between past and present, the most beautiful images of generosity and solidarity are precisely those of these Christians as they harvest olives. In their hearts they long for peace especially in these difficult times that the Holy Land is going through. Br ABDEL MASIH FAHIM, ofm Latin priest of Ramla The olive tree represents peace, a peace lost and longed for over time, even today because of wars. Let us pray every day that peace may return. Read More