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The Holy remains of one of the Catholic church’s most celebrated saints is expected to attract thousands when they make a special visit to the county in October.
The relics of St Therese of Lisieux have toured the world to huge outpourings of emotion from Christians.
In 2001, a 14-day visit to Ireland saw an estimated 75 per cent of the entire population come to pay their respects – a number dwarfing that which turned out to see Pope John Paul II’s famous Papal visit in 1982.
And a recent tour of the USA, saw over a million kiss the box containing her bones.
Now, for the first time, they are coming to the UK.
As part of a tour of the UK, the remains will be visiting the Carmelite Friars at Aylesford Priory near Maidstone between October 9-11.
And the normally quiet location is bracing itself for potentially thousands to flood in to see the woman dubbed ‘the Little Flower of Jesus’.
Father Joseph Chalmers at the priory told Kent on Saturday: “She was only 24 when she died, but what she did was show people that the gospels should be followed in a simple way – you don’t have to do wonderful things for God – you just have to open yourself to him and he will do wonderful things for you.
“We just have no idea how it’s going to go. I can’t say relics particularly appeal to me, but I am drawn to Therese as a person.
“Therese’s relics have gone all over the world, which is fitting as she always said she wanted to be a missionary.”
Born Francoise-Therese Martin in 1873, the Carmelite nun is one of only three women to be recognised as a ‘Doctor of the Church’ – a rare title bestowed upon those perceived to be of particular religious importance.
Her fame was sparked after a religious experience led her to devote her life to God and pursue her ‘Little Way’ – a quest for sanctity achieved not through heroic acts, but deeds of goodness throughout ones life. In addition to her poems and prayers contained in her Story of a Soul memoir.
A specially adapted hearse will carry the remains to 22 locations across the UK – including Aylesford Priory – culminating at Westminster Cathedral.
POSTED: 15/08/2009 16:00:00