About us

My name is Louie Helal, and I was born and raised in the small town of Shepherd's Field, in the Holy Land. I am a proud Catholic Christian, deeply rooted in my faith and committed to serving Christ through my work and my relationships with others.

After completing high school, I traveled to Canada to pursue my education in Business Administration, graduating in 1986. Following my studies, I returned to the Holy Land and worked alongside my father in our family's stone factory, learning the values of hard work, honesty, and dedication. In 1993, I was blessed with marriage, and together my wife and I have been blessed with three wonderful children. Today, two of our children are doctors, and our youngest has chosen a career in business and marketing. They are all a source of great pride and gratitude in our lives.

In 2002, I moved to the United States, where I began promoting and distributing handcrafted religious olive wood carvings from the Holy Land. These sacred articles are lovingly created by Christian families in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas, preserving a tradition that has been passed down through generations. Through this work, I discovered not only a business opportunity but also a calling to help sustain the Christian presence in the land where our Lord Jesus Christ was born, lived, died, and rose again.

In 2006, I joined the Holy Land Christian Foundation, dedicating myself to supporting Catholic Christian artisans who depend on olive wood carving for their livelihood. Over the years, God has blessed me with the privilege of building lasting relationships with countless Catholic churches throughout the United States, as well as pastors, priests, deacons, parish staff, and faithful parishioners. These friendships have become much more than professional connections—they have become part of my extended family in Christ.

During the past five years, I have received many requests from churches seeking trusted assistance in organizing pilgrimages to the Holy Land and other sacred destinations throughout Europe. After much prayer and discernment, I felt called to establish a travel ministry dedicated to serving pilgrims with faith, integrity, and personal care.

This vision led to the creation of Saint Christopher Tours, named in honor of Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers. Our mission is to provide unforgettable Catholic pilgrimages that deepen faith, strengthen spiritual life, and create lifelong memories through encounters with the places where salvation history unfolded.

I am honored to work alongside my partner, Nader Rahil, who lives in Bethlehem, in the Holy Land. Together we combine local knowledge, personal experience, and a shared commitment to excellence. With one of us serving our clients in the United States and the other coordinating directly from the Holy Land, we are able to organize meaningful pilgrimages not only to Israel and Palestine but also to Europe and many other destinations around the world.

At Saint Christopher Tours, we believe that every pilgrimage is much more than a vacation—it is a spiritual journey. It is an opportunity to walk where Jesus walked, to pray where the saints prayed, to celebrate the Holy Eucharist in sacred places, and to return home renewed in faith and closer to God.