From the wedding at Cana to the empty tomb, the Gospels record the signs by which Christ revealed His glory — the foundation upon which every other miracle in the Church rests. And the Risen Lord did not stop appearing: the Sacred Heart to Margaret Mary, Divine Mercy to Faustina, the San Damiano crucifix to Francis, the Damascus road to Paul.
The Baptism of Christ — Voice of the Father and Descent of the Spirit
At the inauguration of His public ministry, Christ came to John at the Jordan and was baptized. The heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended as a dove, and the voice of the Father was heard: 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' The Holy Trinity was manifested.
The Cleansing of the Leper
Coming down from the mountain after the Sermon on the Mount, a leper came to Our Lord and worshipped Him, saying: 'Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.' Jesus stretched forth His hand, touched him, and said: 'I will. Be thou made clean.' Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
The Healing of the Royal Official's Son — Cana
A royal official from Capernaum came to Cana and begged Christ to come heal his son, who was at the point of death. Christ healed the son at a distance with a single word: 'Go thy way; thy son liveth.' The official discovered later that his son had recovered at the very hour Christ had spoken.
The Demoniac in the Synagogue at Capernaum
In the synagogue of Capernaum on a Sabbath, a man possessed by an unclean spirit cried out, recognizing Christ as 'the Holy One of God.' Jesus rebuked the spirit: 'Hold thy peace, and go out of the man.' The demon obeyed; the people were amazed at the authority of His word.
The Healing of the Man with the Withered Hand
On a Sabbath in a synagogue, a man with a withered hand stood before Christ. The Pharisees watched to see if He would heal on the Sabbath. The Lord asked: 'Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil?' He commanded the man to stretch forth his hand. He stretched it forth — and it was restored, whole as the other.
The Woman with the Hemorrhage — Healed by Touching His Cloak
A woman who had suffered an issue of blood for twelve years — having spent all her substance on physicians and grown only worse — came up behind Christ in the crowd and touched the hem of His garment. Immediately she was healed. 'Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.'
The Blind Man at Bethsaida — Healed in Two Stages
At Bethsaida some brought a blind man and begged Christ to touch him. He led him outside the village, spat on his eyes, and laid hands on him. 'I see men, as it were trees, walking,' the man said. Christ laid hands on him again; he looked up and saw all things clearly. This is the only Gospel miracle worked in two stages.
The Boy Possessed by a Mute Spirit — At the Foot of Mount Tabor
Descending from the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, Christ found the disciples surrounded by a crowd. A father had brought his only son, possessed by a mute spirit that threw him into fire and water. The disciples could not cast it out. Jesus rebuked the spirit; it came out, and the boy was cured 'from that hour.'
The Woman Bent Over for Eighteen Years
On a Sabbath in a synagogue, a woman bound by a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years — bent double and unable to lift herself — stood near. Christ called her and said: 'Woman, thou art delivered from thy infirmity.' He laid hands on her, and immediately she stood upright and glorified God.
The Healing of the Man with Dropsy
Invited to dinner at the house of a leading Pharisee on a Sabbath, Christ found before Him a man suffering from dropsy. He healed him in silence, asking the Pharisees: 'Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fall into a pit, and will not draw him out, on the sabbath day?' They could give no answer.
The Wedding at Cana
The first of the 'signs' in John's Gospel — water made wine at His mother's request, manifesting His glory and the beginning of His ministry (John 2).
Healing of Peter's Mother-in-Law
Coming from synagogue to Peter's house, Christ found Peter's mother-in-law sick with a great fever. He took her by the hand; the fever left her; she rose and waited on them (Mark 1:29–31).
The First Miraculous Catch of Fish
After preaching from Peter's boat, Christ said: 'Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch.' Peter, who had toiled all night and caught nothing, obeyed. The net came up so full it began to break. 'Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man' (Luke 5:1–11).
The Ten Lepers — One Returns to Give Thanks
On the road to Jerusalem, ten lepers met Christ at the entrance of a village and cried from a distance: 'Jesus, master, have mercy on us.' He sent them to show themselves to the priests; as they went, they were cleansed. Only one — a Samaritan — returned to fall at His feet and give thanks.
Blind Bartimaeus at Jericho
As Christ left Jericho on His way up to Jerusalem for the Passion, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, cried out: 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' The crowd rebuked him; he cried out the louder. Christ stopped, called him, and asked: 'What wilt thou that I do to thee?' 'Rabboni, that I may see.' 'Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.' Immediately he received his sight, and followed Him in the way.
The Cursing of the Fig Tree
On Monday of Holy Week, returning from Bethany to Jerusalem and hungry, Christ saw a fig tree with leaves but no fruit. He cursed it: 'May no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever.' The next morning the disciples found the tree withered from the roots.
The Healing of Malchus's Ear at Gethsemane
At the moment of His arrest in Gethsemane, Simon Peter drew a sword and cut off the right ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest. Christ said: 'Suffer ye thus far.' He touched the ear and healed it — the last miracle of His earthly ministry before the Cross.
The Road to Emmaus — Appearance to Cleopas and the Other Disciple
On the afternoon of Easter Sunday, two disciples walked the seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus, discussing what had happened. The Risen Christ joined them on the road, unrecognized. He opened the Scriptures to them. At the breaking of the bread that evening, their eyes were opened — and He vanished from their sight.
The Appearance in the Upper Room — Thomas Touches the Wounds
Eight days after the Resurrection, Christ appeared again to the Eleven in the Upper Room. Thomas, who had been absent at the first appearance and had refused to believe without putting his finger into the wounds, was present. The Lord came through the locked doors: 'Put in thy finger hither.' Thomas fell down: 'My Lord and my God.'
The Great Commission — Appearance on the Mountain in Galilee
The Risen Christ appointed the Eleven to meet Him on a mountain in Galilee. When they saw Him they worshipped — though some doubted. He came and spoke: 'All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' This is the Great Commission, the founding charter of the Christian mission.
Calming of the Storm on Galilee
Crossing to the eastern shore by night, a violent squall threatened to swamp the boat. Christ, asleep in the stern, rose and rebuked the wind and sea: 'Peace! Be still!' And there was a great calm (Mark 4:35–41).
Healing of the Paralytic Lowered Through the Roof
Unable to reach Christ through the crowd, four friends lowered a paralysed man through the roof of the house. 'Your sins are forgiven... Rise, take up your bed and go home.' He walked (Mark 2:1–12).
The Raising of Jairus's Daughter
Jairus, ruler of the synagogue, begged Christ to heal his dying daughter. While on the way, a hemorrhaging woman was healed by touching His cloak. Word came the girl was dead — Christ went, took her hand: 'Talitha cumi.' She arose (Mark 5).
Healing of the Centurion's Servant
A Roman centurion at Capernaum asked Christ to heal his paralysed servant — without coming under his roof. 'Only say the word and my servant shall be healed.' Christ marvelled: 'Not even in Israel have I found such faith' (Matt 8; Luke 7).
The Gerasene Demoniac
On the eastern Gentile shore of the Sea of Galilee Christ confronted a man possessed by 'Legion' — many demons — living naked among the tombs. The demons were cast into a herd of swine that drowned themselves in the lake (Mark 5:1–20).
The Widow of Nain's Son Raised
Approaching the gate of the village of Nain, Christ met a funeral procession bearing the only son of a widow. 'Do not weep.' He touched the bier: 'Young man, I say to you, arise.' He sat up and began to speak (Luke 7:11–17).
Walking on the Water
In the fourth watch of the night, Christ came to the disciples walking on the storm-tossed sea. Peter asked to come to Him and walked also, until his fear made him sink (Matt 14:22–33).
Feeding of the Five Thousand
The only miracle of His earthly ministry recorded in all four Gospels. From five barley loaves and two fish offered by a boy, Christ fed five thousand men besides women and children, with twelve baskets gathered after.
Healing of the Man Born Blind
Christ made clay with His spit, anointed the eyes of a man blind from birth, and sent him to wash in the pool of Siloam. He returned seeing — the longest sustained sign in John's Gospel (John 9).
The Transfiguration
Christ took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. His face shone like the sun; His garments became dazzling white; Moses and Elijah appeared with Him. A voice from the cloud: 'This is my beloved Son; listen to him' (Matt 17).
The Deaf-Mute of the Decapolis — 'Ephphatha'
In the Decapolis, friends brought Christ a deaf man with a speech impediment. He took him aside, put his fingers into his ears, touched his tongue with spit, sighed, and said: 'Ephphatha — Be opened.' At once he heard and spoke (Mark 7:31–37).
Healing of the Man at the Pool of Bethesda
By the Pool of Bethesda, Christ found a man who had been infirm for 38 years. 'Do you want to be healed?' 'Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred.' 'Rise, take up your pallet, and walk.' He rose (John 5).
The Coin in the Fish's Mouth
When the collectors of the Temple tax asked Peter whether his Master paid the half-shekel, Christ told Peter to cast a hook into the sea; the first fish caught would have a stater coin in its mouth — enough to pay for both of them (Matt 17:24–27).
The Syro-Phoenician Woman's Daughter
In the region of Tyre and Sidon — Gentile country — a Syro-Phoenician woman threw herself at Christ's feet for her demon-possessed daughter. Tested with the famous 'dogs and crumbs' dialogue, her response won her daughter's deliverance (Mark 7:24–30).
The Feeding of the Four Thousand
A second multiplication of loaves, in Gentile country east of the Galilee. From seven loaves and a few small fish, Christ fed four thousand men besides women and children — with seven baskets of fragments gathered after (Mark 8:1–10).
The Raising of Lazarus
The climactic 'sign' of John's Gospel — Lazarus, four days dead, called forth from the tomb (John 11). The act that decisively turned the authorities against Jesus.
The Resurrection
The central event of the Christian faith — Christ risen on the third day, attested by the empty tomb and the appearances to Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and over 500 brethren (1 Cor 15).
The Post-Resurrection Catch of 153 Fish
After the Resurrection, seven of the apostles, having fished all night and caught nothing, heard a voice from shore: 'Cast the net to the right side of the boat.' The catch was 153 great fish; the net did not break. John recognised Him: 'It is the Lord!' (John 21).
The Ascension of the Lord
Forty days after the Resurrection, Christ led his disciples to the summit of the Mount of Olives, lifted up His hands and blessed them — and was lifted up into a cloud out of their sight. 'Two men in white robes stood by them...' (Acts 1).
The Damascus Road Apparition to Saul
The Pharisee Saul, en route to arrest Christians at Damascus, was struck blind by a light from heaven and heard the voice of the risen Christ: 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' The conversion that made him the Apostle to the Gentiles.
The Quo Vadis Apparition
St. Peter, fleeing the Neronian persecution south on the Appian Way, met the risen Christ walking the other direction. 'Lord, where are you going?' 'I am going to Rome to be crucified again.' Peter turned back to his martyrdom.
The Sacred Heart to St. Lutgardis of Tongeren
A Belgian Cistercian nun received in 1216 one of the earliest recorded visions of the wounded Sacred Heart of Christ — over 450 years before the Margaret Mary apparitions at Paray-le-Monial. Patron saint of Flanders.
The Christ Child to St. Anthony of Padua
A nobleman lodging Anthony of Padua looked through a half-open door late at night and saw the saint embracing an infant Christ in a beam of light. The defining iconographic moment of St. Anthony's life.
The Visions of St. Gertrude the Great
The Cistercian theologian-mystic Gertrude of Helfta received Christ's visit on January 27, 1281, the moment that began her thirty-year mystical life. Her writings — Insinuations of Divine Piety and Spiritual Exercises — established the theological foundation for the modern devotion to the Sacred Heart.
The Visions of St. Mechtilde of Hackeborn
St. Mechtilde — companion of St. Gertrude at the Cistercian monastery of Helfta — received parallel visions of the Sacred Heart of Christ. Her Book of Special Grace was a source for Dante's Divine Comedy.
The Revelations of St. Bridget of Sweden
After a profound vision of the crucified Christ in 1344, St. Bridget of Sweden received seven volumes of revelations of Christ's life, Passion, and death over the next 29 years. Her writings shaped the medieval iconography of the Nativity and the Crucifixion.
The Exchange of Hearts: Christ and St. Catherine of Siena
After praying for years that her heart be more like Christ's, Catherine of Siena received a vision in which Christ opened her chest, removed her heart, and replaced it with His own. From that day she said simply: 'I have your heart, Lord.'
Visions of Christ to St. Teresa of Ávila
Beginning in 1559 — alongside the transverberation — Teresa of Ávila received many visions of the risen and wounded Christ. She recorded them with extraordinary precision in her Autobiography (chapters 27–28).
The Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary to St. John Eudes
Independently of and slightly before St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the French Oratorian and missionary St. John Eudes received the call to public liturgical devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He composed the first liturgical Mass and Office of the Sacred Heart in 1672.
The Sacred Heart Apparitions at Paray-le-Monial
Christ revealed His Sacred Heart, burning with love and crowned with thorns, to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in four major apparitions. The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus — and the feast — flow from these revelations.
Christ to St. Margaret Mary in the Choir
On the feast of St. John the Evangelist 1673, the first of the great Sacred Heart apparitions. Christ permitted Margaret Mary to rest her head against His Heart, as John had done at the Last Supper.
Pope Leo XIII's Vision of Satan — the St. Michael Prayer
On October 13, 1884, having just celebrated Mass, Pope Leo XIII suddenly halted at the foot of the altar in a long state of ecstatic absorption — reportedly hearing Satan request, and God grant, a century to attempt to destroy the Church. The Pope composed the St. Michael Prayer that same day.
The Holy Face to St. Thérèse of Lisieux
From her novitiate, Thérèse of Lisieux took the additional name 'of the Holy Face' alongside her primary Carmelite title 'of the Child Jesus.' Her devotion to the suffering Face of Christ during the Passion — informed by interior visions — shaped one of the central elements of her spirituality.
The Divine Mercy Apparition at Płock
Christ appeared to Sister Faustina Kowalska in the convent at Płock, robed in white with two rays — one red, one pale — streaming from His pierced side. He asked for the Divine Mercy image, the Chaplet, the Feast, and the Hour of Mercy.