St. Therese Catholic Church on Courtice Road has been chosen as one of only two sites in the geographically large Peterborough Diocese to host the Major Reliquary, or bodily remains, of St. Therese. The 24-hour visit will occur Monday, Oct. 22, starting at 6 p.m., and will run around the clock until 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, when St. Therese will resume her journey.

Since 1994, the remains of the young woman, only 24 when she died of tuberculosis in 1897, have been travelling around the world, with throngs of the faithful, or even the merely curious, flocking to the host sites.

The idea of relics being an integral part of Christianity and the Catholic Church dates back many years, says Father Norbert Glasmacher, parish priest at St. Therese.

"Relics have always played a part in the faith," he explains. And, the tradition has continued through the years. "Even today, there is a relic embedded in the altar of each parish church."

But, "for all the remains of a saint to be sent on a tour, that is not common," he allows.

St. Therese was only 15 years old when, against the wishes of many who believed she was too young for such a vocation, she entered the convent.

"She was so passionate about becoming a nun at such an early age," relates Denise Walker, a parishioner at St. Therese Church. "She spoke to her father, her priest, the bishop. Then her family goes to Rome, and she begs the Pope to ask him to allow her to become a nun."

Finally, she entered the convent, where she spent her time looking after young nuns entering the vocation. Within several years, it became clear she was dying of TB, and "as part of her obedience, the Mother Superior asked her to write her spiritual thoughts," says Ms. Walker. The thoughts, a collection of three manuscripts, were published under the title of 'A Story of a Soul.'

"Nobody knew how profound a thinker she was," explains Ms. Walker. "The book has been translated into just about every possible language.

"She was made a saint because she, in the confines on the convent, all locked away, was able to live to such great spiritual heights."

According to information from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, St. Therese's "reputation for holiness" spread after publication of her book. "Right after her death, there were reports of extraordinary events associated with her, including cures and conversions. Pilgrims were soon flocking to Lisieux," in France, where she had lived in the Carmelite convent. She was canonized in 1925, and in October 1997, current Pope John Paul II, given her worldwide influence, proclaimed her a Doctor of the Church.

The visit of her remains allows St. Therese to do something she was unable to do during her life, says Father Glasmacher.

"She wanted to be a missionary, but she was a sister in a convent, removed physically from the world," he says. "Now she's a missionary, travelling the world."

The Courtice church is preparing itself for about 10,000 visitors during the 24-hour visit, which will run throughout the night and day with Masses being held several times.

"She's in Vancouver now, and by the thousands they were out," said Father Glasmacher last week. But, he notes, "In the end, it's not a number. Success is not measured in numbers; it's measured in something much more personal."

The visit is not just open to those who are already members of the Church, says the priest.

"We're encouraging all people to come, non-Catholic, not from the parish - even if they're just curious," he says. "As a missionary, she teaches everybody. This is not after making people Catholic; that's not her point at all."

Through the visit, there is "going to be an ongoing liturgy," says parishioner Yvonne Majoor. There will be five to six Masses, with a closing Mass at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Mass times will be dependent on the number of people visiting the Major Reliquary. A gift shop and limited refreshment area will be set up, and off-site parking will be available to allow people to get to the church, located on the west side of Courtice Road, north of Nash Road.

The local church has been preparing for the visit since about last Christmas, and has had much support from neighbours, who may have to deal with crowds, says Father Glasmacher.

After the closing Mass, the Major Reliquary will move to its next stop in Peterborough, before leaving the Diocese to continue its journey.

More information on the local visit is available by calling 905-436-2126, via e-mail at sttherese@bellnet.ca, or on the church's Website, at www.st-therese-church.com.

The story of St. Therese is an inspirational one, says Father Glasmacher.

"She was quite a determined young woman, in the good sense of the word," he says. "She knew her own worth, and the purpose of her life story is to tell of all the good things God had done for her.

"She was not someone who hid her light under a bushel basket."