THOUSANDS of people are expected to visit a Greenock church this weekend to see the relics of Saint Therese of Lisieux.

Part of the holy Saint's remains have been touring parishes in Scotland in a golden casket and St Mary's is one of the few chosen churches where the relics will be on display.

The writings of 'The Little Flower', as she was called due to her love of nature, have inspired Christians throughout the world.

Canon Thomas Boyle, parish priest at St Mary's, said: "This is a once in a lifetime event in this parish.

"It has never happened before and will never happen again.

"This is the opportunity for people to draw closer to God through the prayers of the Little Flower, which is what she wanted, a greater understanding for the love of God she had.

"St Therese inspired people with the simpleness of her message, to do everything with love, even the most ordinary things.

"Religious believers often say to one another 'pray for me' - for Catholics as part of the Communion of Saints it’s natural to say this to those who have achieved the glory of God’s kingdom.

"Catholics venerate Saints to ask their assistance in prayer before God.

"The presence of the Relics of the Little Flower allows us to focus even more deeply on this prayer.

"I hope that all people will feel welcome to come into St Mary’s at any point during the visit of the Relics, offering up whatever prayer is closest to their heart."

St Therese was a young French nun who died of tuberculosis at the age of 24 in 1897.

After her death her writings were discovered, revealing a deep spiritual life.

The writings were collected into a book - Journal of a Soul - which quickly became a bestseller throughout the world.

So great was the impact of the title on the lives of many who began to follow her ‘Little Way’, that she was canonised as a Saint in 1925.

Canon Boyle says the town has a link to her, as a Greenock priest played a major part in spreading the word of Sister Therese.

Father Thomas Taylor, whose father was head teacher at St Lawrence's Primary School in the east end, began his study for the priesthood in 1889 and was inspired by Sister Therese's writings.

He visited Lisieux and when he returned to Scotland he set about making Sister Therese as widely know as possible and started the campaign for her to be canonised.

He wrote a pamphlet about her called 'As Little Children' which helped to fund an English translation of her writings and also completed his own.

Canon Boyle said: "It is great that as the oldest Catholic Church in the area, we have been chosen by the visit of the relics.

"Ayr Cathedral had 3,000 visitors over two days and we expect even more."

The relics, which will be brought into the church in a gold reliquary at 5pm on Saturday, will remain on display until 11am on Sunday.

St Mary’s will be open all night from after the 5.30pm Mass on Saturday until Sunday morning.