Le Père Jules Chevalier

Issoudun is intemately linked to the figure of the Père Jules Chevalier, founder of the Missionnaires du Sacré-Cœur and artisan of influence of the cult of Jesus's Sacré-Coeur troughout the world.

 

A call born in Issoudun

Arrived at Issoudun in 1854 as a young priest, Jules Chevalier feed an ambitious project : make a congregation dedicated to the Sacré-Cœur, which he considers as a anwser to his spirituals needs of his time. With the help of some friends, he creates the Missionnaires du Sacré-Cœur's society (MSC), which missions is to send a love and compassion message.

 

 Notre-Dame du Sacré-Cœur basilica

From his first years in Issoudun, the Père Chevalier begin the construction of a sanctuary dedicated to Notre-Dame du Sacré-Cœur.This project, financed by popular fervor and the support of the faithfull ones, ends with the edification of the Notre-Dame du Sacré-Cœur basilica, which becomes a large pilgrimage place and a town symbol.

 

A worldwide shine

Thanks to his work in Issoudun, the Père Chevalier see his mouvement take an international scal. The congregation of the Missionnaires du Sacré-Cœur grows quickly and sends missionaries in all the world, even in Australia, Asia and in Africa, making Issoudun the bed of a new spiritual mouvement.

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A legacy still alive

As of today, the spirit of the Père Jules Chevalier stays in Issoudun, where the Notre-Dame du Sacré-Cœur basilica stays a pilgrimage and welcoming place. The town keeps with pride the memory of this man who's faith and determination had marked not only Issoudun, but also the Christiannity history.

Issoudun, berceau du Sacré-Cœur, porte encore aujourd’hui l’empreinte du Père Jules Chevalier, dont l’héritage continue d’inspirer des générations à travers le monde.