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This month the relics of one of the Catholic Church's best loved saints - Therese of Lisieux - will begin a month long tour around various cathedrals and churches in England and Wales. It's an event which might well raise an eyebrow of surprise in many quarters, whilst being warmly welcomed by those who are admirers of "The Little Flower".

Therese Martin was a 24 year old, unknown and seemingly unremarkable Carmelite nun when she died in the French town of Lisieux in 1827. Yet within 28 years, she was pronounced a saint by the Pope and later declared one of only 33 doctors in the history of the church.

To date, her relics have been venerated in 40 countries from Russia to Iraq, and Brazil to Lebanon. And wherever they have gone people have claimed experiences of Christian conversion, or healing, or a renewed sense of vocation and answers to their prayers.

In this week's "All Things Considered" (Sunday 13 September 8.3 am; repeated Wednesday 16 September at 6.30pm) Peter Baker and guests discuss what place the veneration of relics and saints has in the 21st century church, asking whether its a throw back to days of religious superstition or an opportunity for prayerful reflection in a sacred space in an otherwise secularised world.

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