The Handicraft Center in Bethlehem bears the name of the Franciscan Brother Michele Piccirillo (1944-2008), who was an expert in Middle Eastern archeology and arrived in Bethlehem in 1960. Piccirillo knew the practice which was widespread among pilgrims, since the earliest centuries of Christianity, of bringing home a memory of their visit in the Holy Land. Fragments of stone, metal, wood, terracotta, which over time became valuable handcrafted and art products. Moreover, they became sources of income for local communities. Thus, he decided to keep the Franciscan tradition of supporting one of the most valuable craft activity: the mother-of-pearl’s production.