On August 6, Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of the Transfiguration of the Lord, an event narrated in the Bible in which Christ, shortly before his Passion, is transfigured before three of his disciples on Mount Tabor.

Pope Francis remembered in 2018 that the transfiguration of the Lord helped his disciples and us “to understand that the passion of Christ is a mystery of suffering, but, above all, a gift of infinite love on the part of Jesus”; and furthermore, it helps us to understand the Resurrection more deeply.

Below, we share with you eight facts that every Catholic should know about the Transfiguration of the Lord:

1. Transfiguration means “change of form”

The word “transfiguration” comes from the Latin roots trans (“through”) and figura (“form, aspect”). Therefore, it means a change in form or appearance.

This is what happened to Jesus in the event known as the Transfiguration: His appearance changed and became glorious.

2. The Gospel of Luke predicts the Transfiguration

In the Gospel of Luke 9:27, at the end of a speech to the twelve apostles, Jesus adds, mysteriously: “For truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

This has often been taken as a prophecy that the end of the world would occur before the first generation of Christians died out. However, the phrase “kingdom of God” can also refer to “the outward expression of God’s invisible kingdom.”

The kingdom is embodied in Christ himself and could therefore be “seen” if Christ manifested it in an unusual way, even in his own earthly life, just as the event of the Transfiguration was.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI stated that Jesus “argued convincingly that the placement of this saying immediately before the Transfiguration clearly links it to this event.”

"Some, namely the three disciples who accompany Jesus to the mountain, are promised that they will personally witness the coming of the Kingdom of God 'in power,'" he added.

3. The Transfiguration was witnessed by the three main disciples

The Transfiguration occurred in the presence of the apostles John, Peter and James, the three main disciples.

The fact that Jesus only allowed three of his disciples to witness the event may have sparked the argument that quickly ensued over which of the disciples was the greatest (Luke 9:46).

4. The place where the Transfiguration occurred is not known exactly

St. Luke states that Jesus took the three “up a mountain to pray.” This mountain is often thought to be Mount Tabor in Israel, but none of the gospels identify it exactly.

5. The Transfiguration served to strengthen the faith of the apostles

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “The Transfiguration of Christ is intended to strengthen the faith of the apostles in anticipation of the approach of the Passion: the ascent of a 'high mountain' prepares for the ascent to Calvary. Christ, Head of the Church, manifests what his body contains and radiates in the sacraments: 'the hope of glory.'”

6. The Gospel of Luke is the one that gives more details of this event

Saint Luke mentions several details about the Transfiguration that other evangelists do not.

For example, he notes that this happened while Jesus was praying; he mentions that Peter and his companions “were asleep and when they awoke they saw his glory and the two men who were with him.”

It also mentions that Peter suggested setting up tents while Moses and Elijah were leaving.

7. The appearance of Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets

Moses and Elijah represent the two main components of the Old Testament: the Law and the Prophets.

Moses was the giver of the Law and Elijah was considered the greatest of the prophets.

8. Saint Peter's suggestion was wrong

The fact that Peter's suggestion occurs as Moses and Elijah are preparing to leave reveals a desire to prolong the experience of glory. This means that Peter is focusing on the wrong thing.

The experience of the Transfiguration is meant to point out the sufferings that Jesus is about to experience. It is intended to strengthen the faith of the disciples, revealing to them the divine hand that is at work in the events that Jesus will suffer. 

Peter misses the point and wants to stay on the mountain, contrary to the message that Moses and Elijah have been expounding.

As an apparent rebuke of this, a theophany occurs: “A cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid when they entered the cloud. And a voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him! ’”