However, for many, the film's popularity demonstrates that French Catholicism has returned to the public arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nReleased on October 1, the film, subtitled \u201cHis reign will have no end,\u201d focuses on the apparitions of Jesus to a French Visitation nun, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, to whom he showed his heart between 1673 and 1675 in Paray-Le-Monial, in the French region of Burgundy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Produced to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the apparitions, this docudrama combines historical reenactments, testimonials, and expert analysis. It gives ample space to accounts of personal encounters with Christ, often during adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The witnesses and speakers are very diverse. They range from Father Matthieu Raffray, a traditionalist priest known for his strong opinions on social media, to prisoners, members of parliament, and a former drug dealer from Bondy, a city in the northern suburbs of Paris known for its high crime rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.omnesmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/PeliculaSacreCoeurFotograma.jpg\")
Screenshot from the film Sacr\u00e9 Coeur, directed by Steven and Sabrina Gunnell, showing St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and Jesus. (OSV News\/courtesy of SAJE).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nInspired by a visit to the sanctuary in Burgundy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe film's directors, Steven and Sabrina Gunnell, were inspired to produce it after a visit to the sanctuary in Burgundy. Steven is a former member of the French youth band Alliage from the 1990s. He converted to Catholicism and now works with his wife on producing films related to their deep Christian faith. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The film places great importance on the shrine of Paray-le-Monial. Entrusted to the Emmanuel Community since 1985, the shrine welcomes tens of thousands of pilgrims each year. It was the setting for a successful jubilee celebration for the 350th anniversary of the apparitions, held between December 2023 and June 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The jubilee was closely linked to the late Pope Francis's last encyclical, \u201cDilexit Nos,\u201d subtitled \u201cOn the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ,\u201d published in October 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The film's success was accompanied by criticism, both inside and outside the Catholic Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The film does not mention the Jesuits.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nA common criticism of \u201cSacred Heart\u201d from within the Church is the omission of the Jesuits. The film features St. Alacoque's spiritual director, Father Claude La Colombi\u00e8re\u2014canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 1992\u2014but never mentions that he was a Jesuit. Several French Jesuits told OSV News that they regretted this, highlighting the key role of the Society of Jesus in spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, rooted in Jesuit spirituality, encompasses more than 22 million Catholics in 92 countries. The Jesuits interviewed stated that recognizing society, along with other congregations linked to this devotion, would have demonstrated that devotion to the Sacred Heart is a vital movement within the universal Church, not just a local phenomenon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Outside the Catholic sphere, the controversy reached the level of \u201cChristianophobia,\u201d in the words of the director himself, when public institutions such as city councils were reluctant to screen the film, as was the case in Marseille.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Violation of the nation's secularism<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe October 22 screening at the Ch\u00e2teau de La Buzine, a municipal cinema, was canceled, citing a \u201cviolation of the principle of secularism\u201d in a public space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Le Monde reported that the screening had been canceled minutes before the premiere on the grounds that \u201ca public establishment cannot host screenings of a religious nature.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the film was about to be released on October 1 throughout France, MediaTransports, the advertising agency for SNCF and RATP, rejected its planned poster campaign in metro and train stations, citing the \u201creligious and proselytizing nature\u201d of the project, \u201cincompatible with the principle of public service neutrality,\u201d Le Figaro reported. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Heated debate about cinema<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nJoining a heated debate about Sacr\u00e9 Coeur, on October 29, Le Monde highlighted the film's \u201cpolitical\u201d dimension. It also expressed surprise at its \u201clow-budget\u201d nature, which \u201cshould never have gone beyond the niche audience for which it was intended.\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But for Father Pascal Ide, a priest of the Archdiocese of Paris known as an online film critic, \u201c\u2019Sacr\u00e9 C\u0153ur\u2019 dusts off, decompartmentalizes, and depoliticizes a central truth of Christianity, which is that God became Heart.\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A doctor of medicine, philosophy, and theology, Father Ide expressed his enthusiasm for the film in La Croix<\/a> October 29. \u201cWhat moved me most was undoubtedly the person of Jesus and his intense desire to approach each person personally in the most intimate way, to experience an intense heart-to-heart connection,\u201d said Father Ide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cDiscreet but real return of religion\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn a conversation with OSV News, he added: \u201cThe film is very enriching. There is something for everyone. What is certain is that it has a considerable impact, which says a lot about the expectations of an audience that goes beyond practicing Catholics.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by a visit to the sanctuary in Burgundy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe film's directors, Steven and Sabrina Gunnell, were inspired to produce it after a visit to the sanctuary in Burgundy. Steven is a former member of the French youth band Alliage from the 1990s. He converted to Catholicism and now works with his wife on producing films related to their deep Christian faith. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The film places great importance on the shrine of Paray-le-Monial. Entrusted to the Emmanuel Community since 1985, the shrine welcomes tens of thousands of pilgrims each year. It was the setting for a successful jubilee celebration for the 350th anniversary of the apparitions, held between December 2023 and June 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The jubilee was closely linked to the late Pope Francis's last encyclical, \u201cDilexit Nos,\u201d subtitled \u201cOn the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ,\u201d published in October 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The film's success was accompanied by criticism, both inside and outside the Catholic Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The film does not mention the Jesuits.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nA common criticism of \u201cSacred Heart\u201d from within the Church is the omission of the Jesuits. The film features St. Alacoque's spiritual director, Father Claude La Colombi\u00e8re\u2014canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 1992\u2014but never mentions that he was a Jesuit. Several French Jesuits told OSV News that they regretted this, highlighting the key role of the Society of Jesus in spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, rooted in Jesuit spirituality, encompasses more than 22 million Catholics in 92 countries. The Jesuits interviewed stated that recognizing society, along with other congregations linked to this devotion, would have demonstrated that devotion to the Sacred Heart is a vital movement within the universal Church, not just a local phenomenon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Outside the Catholic sphere, the controversy reached the level of \u201cChristianophobia,\u201d in the words of the director himself, when public institutions such as city councils were reluctant to screen the film, as was the case in Marseille.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Violation of the nation's secularism<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe October 22 screening at the Ch\u00e2teau de La Buzine, a municipal cinema, was canceled, citing a \u201cviolation of the principle of secularism\u201d in a public space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Le Monde reported that the screening had been canceled minutes before the premiere on the grounds that \u201ca public establishment cannot host screenings of a religious nature.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the film was about to be released on October 1 throughout France, MediaTransports, the advertising agency for SNCF and RATP, rejected its planned poster campaign in metro and train stations, citing the \u201creligious and proselytizing nature\u201d of the project, \u201cincompatible with the principle of public service neutrality,\u201d Le Figaro reported. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Heated debate about cinema<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nJoining a heated debate about Sacr\u00e9 Coeur, on October 29, Le Monde highlighted the film's \u201cpolitical\u201d dimension. It also expressed surprise at its \u201clow-budget\u201d nature, which \u201cshould never have gone beyond the niche audience for which it was intended.\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But for Father Pascal Ide, a priest of the Archdiocese of Paris known as an online film critic, \u201c\u2019Sacr\u00e9 C\u0153ur\u2019 dusts off, decompartmentalizes, and depoliticizes a central truth of Christianity, which is that God became Heart.\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A doctor of medicine, philosophy, and theology, Father Ide expressed his enthusiasm for the film in La Croix<\/a> October 29. \u201cWhat moved me most was undoubtedly the person of Jesus and his intense desire to approach each person personally in the most intimate way, to experience an intense heart-to-heart connection,\u201d said Father Ide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cDiscreet but real return of religion\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn a conversation with OSV News, he added: \u201cThe film is very enriching. There is something for everyone. What is certain is that it has a considerable impact, which says a lot about the expectations of an audience that goes beyond practicing Catholics.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A common criticism of \u201cSacred Heart\u201d from within the Church is the omission of the Jesuits. The film features St. Alacoque's spiritual director, Father Claude La Colombi\u00e8re\u2014canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 1992\u2014but never mentions that he was a Jesuit. Several French Jesuits told OSV News that they regretted this, highlighting the key role of the Society of Jesus in spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, rooted in Jesuit spirituality, encompasses more than 22 million Catholics in 92 countries. The Jesuits interviewed stated that recognizing society, along with other congregations linked to this devotion, would have demonstrated that devotion to the Sacred Heart is a vital movement within the universal Church, not just a local phenomenon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Outside the Catholic sphere, the controversy reached the level of \u201cChristianophobia,\u201d in the words of the director himself, when public institutions such as city councils were reluctant to screen the film, as was the case in Marseille.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Violation of the nation's secularism<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe October 22 screening at the Ch\u00e2teau de La Buzine, a municipal cinema, was canceled, citing a \u201cviolation of the principle of secularism\u201d in a public space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Le Monde reported that the screening had been canceled minutes before the premiere on the grounds that \u201ca public establishment cannot host screenings of a religious nature.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the film was about to be released on October 1 throughout France, MediaTransports, the advertising agency for SNCF and RATP, rejected its planned poster campaign in metro and train stations, citing the \u201creligious and proselytizing nature\u201d of the project, \u201cincompatible with the principle of public service neutrality,\u201d Le Figaro reported. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Heated debate about cinema<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nJoining a heated debate about Sacr\u00e9 Coeur, on October 29, Le Monde highlighted the film's \u201cpolitical\u201d dimension. It also expressed surprise at its \u201clow-budget\u201d nature, which \u201cshould never have gone beyond the niche audience for which it was intended.\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But for Father Pascal Ide, a priest of the Archdiocese of Paris known as an online film critic, \u201c\u2019Sacr\u00e9 C\u0153ur\u2019 dusts off, decompartmentalizes, and depoliticizes a central truth of Christianity, which is that God became Heart.\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A doctor of medicine, philosophy, and theology, Father Ide expressed his enthusiasm for the film in La Croix<\/a> October 29. \u201cWhat moved me most was undoubtedly the person of Jesus and his intense desire to approach each person personally in the most intimate way, to experience an intense heart-to-heart connection,\u201d said Father Ide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cDiscreet but real return of religion\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn a conversation with OSV News, he added: \u201cThe film is very enriching. There is something for everyone. What is certain is that it has a considerable impact, which says a lot about the expectations of an audience that goes beyond practicing Catholics.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joining a heated debate about Sacr\u00e9 Coeur, on October 29, Le Monde highlighted the film's \u201cpolitical\u201d dimension. It also expressed surprise at its \u201clow-budget\u201d nature, which \u201cshould never have gone beyond the niche audience for which it was intended.\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But for Father Pascal Ide, a priest of the Archdiocese of Paris known as an online film critic, \u201c\u2019Sacr\u00e9 C\u0153ur\u2019 dusts off, decompartmentalizes, and depoliticizes a central truth of Christianity, which is that God became Heart.\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A doctor of medicine, philosophy, and theology, Father Ide expressed his enthusiasm for the film in La Croix<\/a> October 29. \u201cWhat moved me most was undoubtedly the person of Jesus and his intense desire to approach each person personally in the most intimate way, to experience an intense heart-to-heart connection,\u201d said Father Ide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a conversation with OSV News, he added: \u201cThe film is very enriching. There is something for everyone. What is certain is that it has a considerable impact, which says a lot about the expectations of an audience that goes beyond practicing Catholics.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cDiscreet but real return of religion\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n