- The Annunciation: the Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will be the virgin mother of Jesus.
- The Visitation: Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth to tell her the news that she is pregnant with Jesus. Because she is elderly, Elizabeth's announcement of her own pregnancy is greeted as a miracle. Elizabeth gives birth to St. John the Baptist.
- Christmas or the Nativity: the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Mary gives birth in a stable; her husband, Joseph, is her sole companion. Soon after, angels announce the birth to shepherds.
- Adoration of the Magi: traditionally, three kings, who are also astrologers, are attracted by a star that shines over Jesus's manger. They come to worship him and present gifts.
- Baptism of Jesus: John the Baptist, Jesus's cousin, baptizes him in the Jordan River. Jesus's ministry officially begins.
- Calling of the Apostles: Jesus gathers his followers, including Matthew and Peter, as he proceeds in his ministry.
- Miracles: to prove his divinity, Jesus performs a number of miracles, like multiplying loaves and fishes and resurrecting the deceased Lazarus.
- Giving the Keys: sensing his own death, Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom of Heaven, in effect installing him as his leader when he is gone, and therefore the first pope.
- Transfiguration:Jesus transfigures himself into God before the eyes of his apostles; this is the high point of his ministry.
- Palm Sunday: Jesus enters Jerusalem in triumph, greeted by throngs with palm branches.
- Last Supper: before Jesus is arrested he has a final meal with his disciples in which he institutes the Eucharist--that is, his body and blood in the form of bread and wine; at this meal he reveals that he knows that one of his apostles, Judas, has betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver.
- Crucifixion: after a brief series of trials, Jesus is sentenced to death for sedition. He is crowned with thorns, whipped with lashes, and forced to carry his cross through the streets of Jerusalem. At the top of a hill called Golgotha he is nailed to the cross and left to die.
- Deposition/Lamentation/Entombment: Jesus's body is removed from the cross by his relatives, cleaned, and mourned over, and buried.
- Resurrection: on Easter Sunday, three days later, Jesus rises from the dead. On Ascension Day he goes to Heaven.
jul 26 2012 ∞
jul 26 2012 +