Sacred Heart: His Reign Has No End

Maria V. Gallagher rediscovers the power of Christ’s love in the new film Sacred Heart.

“The world is dying from not knowing it is loved.”

That powerful statement is part of the impressive new film Sacred Heart, which explores the beauty and significance of the Sacred Heart devotion popularized by Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. The movie, which is set for release in the U.S. June 9, 10, 11, and 14, melds dramatizations of Saint Margaret Mary’s encounters with Christ with interviews with religious figures and ordinary individuals who have benefited from an allegiance to the Sacred Heart.

A Series of Revelations

A Visitation nun in France, Saint Margaret Mary began receiving revelations of Jesus in 1674. Christ offered to replace her heart with His, causing His love literally to burn within her. She is credited with saying, “I need nothing but God, and to lose myself in the heart of Jesus.” The scenes featuring the beloved saint seem realistic and contain a strong element of authenticity.

But I believe that the filmmakers were wise to focus not only on Saint Margaret Mary, but to also feature modern-day ambassadors of the Sacred Heart devotion. In a particularly poignant vignette, we learn of a young man with muscular dystrophy who lost the use of his legs at the tender age of 10. A law student and a writer, he finds strength today resting in the heart of Jesus.

Meanwhile, a young woman — a soccer standout — speaks of how she went from not knowing anything about the Catholic Mass to becoming a regular Mass-goer thanks to the Sacred Heart. Whereas before her exposure to the Sacred Heart she was largely adrift, today she is filled with love because of her encounter with Christ.

In addition, the film profiles a man who grew up without his father and at a distance from God. Today, he uses his musical gifts to spread the Lord’s message of salvation and redemption. He now has a family of his own and has readily accepted God’s invitation to love.

Needed Now More Than Ever

In a world filled with war and dissension, we need the Sacred Heart and all it represents now more than ever. Books and prayer cards can help spread the message, but there is nothing like a movie to touch the heart and awaken the soul. Sacred Heart has already proven to be a blockbuster in France, and it is only fitting that the docudrama makes its way to American shores.

The film comes to the U.S. courtesy of KREA-Filmmakers, Saje Distribution, and Fathom Entertainment. Sacred Heart is directed and produced by Steven and Sabrina Gunnell and has been dubbed into English to communicate with American audiences.

An Invitation to Devotion

As the Gunnells eloquently stated:

This film is simply an answer and an invitation. This film is an invitation toward this Divine love—to the Sacred Heart of Jesus which is burning for humanity. We are amazed at the runaway success of a movie that literally reveals God’s own heart. This is His movie and His creative way to reach contemporary audiences. The flood of success shows us that people are hungry for God’s love and the truth of this message that never ends. What God does for one, He will do for another. You will grow in faith as you encounter the beautiful French Saint Margaret Mary who was chosen by God to carry forward the message of the Sacred Heart to the world.

You will hear powerful testimonies from people who have experienced the power and miraculous nature of this devotion. Our very broken world needs the love of God now more than ever.

From my vantage point, the film seems appropriate for anyone 13 years and older.

Tickets for Sacred Heart are now available. To find the closest theater where the film is playing and reserve tickets, please visit FathomEntertainment.com/Releases/SacredHeart.

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Copyright 2026 Maria V. Gallagher
Images: copyright 2026 Fathom Entertainment, all rights reserved.