THOUSANDS are expected to flock to a Filton church tomorrow to welcome the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux.

The historic visit honours the fact that the 1920s church of St Teresa of the Child Jesus, in Gloucester Road, was one of the first in the world to be named in her honour.

Pilgrims from across the west are expected to descend on the 400-seat church, to pay homage to the 19th century Carmelite nun, whose body has been on a world tour for the past 10 years.

Father Tom Finnegan, priest in charge at St Teresa's, said: "St Thérèse is a particularly inspiring individual for the Catholic community.

"She asked the pope if she could become a nun at the age of 14, and devoted the rest of her life to an austere Carmelite order in Normandy.

"She contracted TB at around the age of 22, and she died two years later.

"While she was on her deathbed, the prioress of the convent – who happened to be her elder sister – helped her to write a short autobiography, which has gone on to inspire generations of Catholics ever since."

But Father Tom says it's not just the Roman Catholic community that will be out in force.

"I know many of our Anglican friends are keen to come and pay tribute to the relics, and I think many people of no particular religion will be drawn to visit too."

The relics will arrive in a specially commissioned hearse at 2.30pm tomorrow.

"I will lead a welcome liturgy, then there will be a period from 3.15pm to 6.30pm for private prayer and reflection," Father Tom said.

"At that time we will allow the queue to approach the relics, and people will be able to file past and, if they wish, to touch the Perspex casing over the mahogany casket.

"Throughout the entire time that the relics are here, we will have people in constant prayer – one either side – to remind people of the holy nature of the occasion."

There will be a special mass at 7pm, followed by a further opportunity for private prayers and veneration of the relics from 8.30pm to 11.30pm.

This will be followed by an all-night vigil until a final mass is given at 9am on Thursday morning, shortly after which the relics will leave Bristol as the saint continues her journey.

"It's going to be a very special occasion," Father Tom says.

"It's very difficult for us to predict how many people will come to see the relics, but we will have loud speakers set up outside the church so those who can't get in are able to hear the mass.

"When Saint Thérèse came to Ireland a few years ago, almost half the population of the entire nation came out to see her – two million people in a country of 4.5 million.

"It's truly remarkable just how much she means to peoples' lives, and for us, it is a great honour to be able to play host to her relics in this very special way."