Sacred Heart of Jesus celebrations draw pilgrims in Poland and France

In the Polish town of Tymbark, a Catholic parish marked the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart on Friday, the first Friday after the Octave of Corpus Christi. The ceremony highlighted the historic devotion promoted by Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century and emphasized the belief that Christ’s love endures despite human ingratitude.

At the shrine of Paray‑le‑Monial in France, weekend festivities began on 12 June, attracting large numbers of pilgrims—many attending for the first time after seeing the documentary “The Sacred Heart.” Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa presided over the main Mass and Eucharistic procession, while the sanctuary organized a special Forum for seekers, aimed at neophytes and those returning to the faith. Organisers noted a renewed interest in the devotion despite broader secular trends.