(ANS – Rome) – Sacred Heart: His Kingdom Will Never End (original French title: Sacré-Cœur: Son règne n’a pas de fin) is a French film by Steven and Sabrina Gunnell that was released in theaters throughout France in 2025 to mark the 350th anniversary of the apparitions of the Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, which took place between 1673 and 1675 in Paray-le-Monial, Burgundy.
Produced by Dominus Production, a small independent film company, and launched without the support of major advertising campaigns, the film achieved unexpected box-office success in France. Since March 2026, it has been enjoying similar success in Italy. There, audiences also benefit from a unique “Salesian” contribution presented before each screening.
The Film
Sacred Heart: His Kingdom Will Never End combines historical reenactments, personal testimonies, and spiritual reflections to provide an intimate look at how devotion to the Sacred Heart has become a symbol of God’s merciful love for millions of believers. Through a variety of voices and experiences, the film demonstrates how devotion to the Sacred Heart transcends social boundaries and reaches even those who may feel distant from the Church.
The film traces the history of one of the most widespread devotions in Catholicism, beginning in seventeenth-century France. In the town of Paray-le-Monial, Visitation Sister Margaret Mary Alacoque reported receiving a series of apparitions of Jesus between 1673 and 1675.
In these visions, Christ revealed His Heart as a symbol of God’s merciful love for humanity and entrusted her with the mission of spreading this devotion throughout the Church.
The film brings this historical and spiritual context to life through dramatized scenes depicting the saint’s visions and the role of her spiritual director, Jesuit Father Claude de la Colombière, who helped promote and support devotion to the Sacred Heart. These scenes are complemented by contemporary testimonies from priests, religious, and lay faithful who share how devotion to the Sacred Heart has transformed their lives, demonstrating the enduring relevance of Christ’s message of love.
Among those featured in the film are individuals from a wide range of backgrounds: a couple rediscovering their faith, a musician who experienced conversion, a young man living with illness, a former drug dealer from the French suburbs, and a woman dedicated to prison ministry. Though their stories differ, all are united by their encounter with the spirituality of the Sacred Heart.
The film has surpassed expectations at the French box office, attracting more than 400,000 viewers.
The Salesian Contribution for Italian Audiences
Since the film’s release in Italy, a short introductory video has been shown before each screening. Filmed inside the Salesian Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome—the International Shrine of Devotion to the Sacred Heart—the introduction features Fr. Francesco Marcoccio, SDB, rector of the Salesian community, and Federica Picchi, founder of Dominus Production. Together, they highlight the reparative dimension of devotion to the Sacred Heart.
Explaining an Unexpected Success
Why has a film about the Sacred Heart of Jesus resonated so strongly with audiences?
“This is a technically simple film, but one with profound meaning,” explained Federica Picchi. “Its success with audiences confirmed what I hoped would happen—that the richness of its content would transcend its form. I believe that is something surprising in today’s culture, which is so often focused on image and appearance.”
According to Picchi, the film appeals to viewers of all ages and backgrounds.
“We received many testimonies, especially from young people who found answers to their questions through faith after watching the film.”
At a time when society is increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and technological innovation, the film’s success may seem unexpected. Yet Picchi believes the reason is simple:
“The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is so attractive because every person needs to feel loved. This hunger for love is deeply rooted in who we are. The film is compelling because it presents Love with a capital ‘L.’ It tells the stories of ordinary people of different ages and backgrounds whose lives have been transformed by love.”
Additional Information
Information about theaters currently showing the film, along with details about the project, can be found on the official website:
The introductory video filmed at the Salesian Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus near Castro Pretorio in Rome is also available online.