History

In 1854, in Issoudun, during the novena of the Immaculate Conception, Father Jules Chevalier promised that if his dream of forming a missionary congregation in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus comes true, he will teach the faithful to love the Virgin Mary in a peculiar way. The congregation would consider Mary as her foundress and her sovereign, and they will associate her with all her works.^[1]

During various novenas made to the Virgin Mary, Fr. Chevalier obtained several financial donations that allowed him to build the Basilica of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Issoudun, and in 1857 he consolidated his congregation and henceforth venerated Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.^[2]

Article III – In testimony of gratitude to Mary, they will consider her as their Founder and Sovereign, they will associate her with all her works and they will make her love in a peculiar way.

— Chevalier’s promise with Virgin Mary