Saint peter's basilica facade, rome, italy

History of the Catholic Church

  • 1 BCE

    Birth of Jesus Christ

    Birth of Jesus Christ
    God the Son, the second person of the Trinity incarnates in human form through the holy virgin Mary and is born in the town of Bethlehem, laid in a manger, surrounded by his parents Mary and Joseph, animals and shepherds.
  • 30

    Jesus is baptised

    Jesus is baptised
    Baptised by John the Baptist with the Holy Spirit descending upon him, Jesus is driven into the wilderness and after thus begins his ministry.
  • 33

    Resurrection of Jesus Christ

    Resurrection of Jesus Christ
    3 days after his death, Jesus overcomes death and restores his body to life.
  • 33

    Death of Saint John the Baptist

    Death of Saint John the Baptist
    Herod's wife Herodius schemes to have Saint John the Baptist killed and succeeds. He is beheaded.
  • 33

    The Ascension of Jesus Christ

    The Ascension of Jesus Christ
    Jesus having completed his earthly ministry ascends to Heaven to be seated at the right hand of God the Father for all eternity.
  • 33

    The crucifixion of Jesus Christ

    The crucifixion of Jesus Christ
    After being betrayed by one of his closest disciples Judas Iscariot, Jesus of Nazareth is arrested by Roman authorities and brought before High Priest Caiaphas, Tetrarch Herod Antipas and finally condemned by Pontius Pilate to be crucified until death. Jesus is beaten, whipped, mocked and forced to carry his cross until he is nailed to it. After 3 hours he dies. With his death, the human race is saved.
  • 34

    Death of Saint Stephen

    Death of Saint Stephen
    Saint Stephen is stoned by Jewish authorities for his preaching making him the first Christian martyr.
  • 44

    Death of Saint James the Greater

    Death of Saint James the Greater
    Saint James the Greater is the first of the 12 Disciples to die, killed from being stabbed by a sword at the order of King Herod Agrippa I.
  • 50

    Council of Jerusalem

    Council of Jerusalem
    The Apostles gather in Jerusalem to discuss whether a man has to be circumcised in order to be saved. They decide against.
  • 64

    Death of Saint Peter

    Death of Saint Peter
    Saint Peter, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome was crucified upside down, feeling not worthy to die like his Lord, during Emperor Nero's persecution of Christians.
  • 64

    Death of Saint Paul

    Death of Saint Paul
    Saint Paul was beheaded during Emperor Nero's persecution of Christians.
  • 70

    Gospel of Mark written

    Gospel of Mark written
    Contemporarily believed to have been written around 70 A.D. Saint Mark, disciple of Saint Peter, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit writes his account of the Gospel.
  • 70

    Destruction of the Temple

    Destruction of the Temple
    After a rebellion by the Jews, Roman legions commanded by Titus capture Jerusalem and destroy the Second Temple.
  • 80

    Gospel of Matthew written

    Gospel of Matthew written
    Contemporarily believed to have been written around 80 A.D. Saint Matthew, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes his account of the Gospel.
  • 80

    Gospel of Luke written

    Gospel of Luke written
    Contemporarily believed to have been written around 80 A.D. Saint Luke, physician, historian and follower of Saint Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes his account of the Gospel along with the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, addressed to Theophilus.
  • 90

    Gospel of John written

    Gospel of John written
    Contemporarily believed to have been written around 90 A.D. Saint John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes his account of the Gospel at the request of the churches.
  • 100

    Death of Saint John

    Death of Saint John
    Around 100 A.D. Saint John, the last Apostle and member of the 12 Disciples passes away from old age on the island of Patmos. He is the only Apostle to not suffer martyrdom. With his death, the Apostolic Age comes to a close.
  • 108

    Death of Saint Ignatius of Antioch

    Death of Saint Ignatius of Antioch
    Saint Ignatius, also called Theophorus, Bishop of Antioch, disciple of Saint John, is taken to Rome and fed to animals in the Colosseum.
  • 155

    Death of Saint Polycarp

    Death of Saint Polycarp
    Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, disciple of Saint John, is burned at the stake and pierced after the flames do not consume him, ending his life.
  • 155

    Completion of First Apology

    Completion of First Apology
    Saint Justin Martyr writes his great apologetic work, First Apology for the Emperor Antoninus Pius.
  • 248

    Completion of Contra Celsum

    Completion of Contra Celsum
    Origen of Alexandria completes Conta Celsum, one of the most important Christian apologetic works of antiquity.
  • 250

    Decian Persecution

    Decian Persecution
    Roman Emperor Decius issued an edict forcing all citizens of the Roman Empire to sacrifice to pagan gods, leading to widespread persecution of Christians.
  • 257

    Valerian Persecution

    Valerian Persecution
    Emperor Valerian, like Decius, ordered all Christians to submit to the Roman religion, upon refusal many Christians including Saint Cyprian of Carthage, Pope Saint Sixtus II and Saint Lawrence were executed.
  • 313

    Edict of Milan

    Edict of Milan
    After having a vision of Christ telling him that he would conquer with the chi-rho, Emperor Constantine the Great becomes the first Christian Emperor and legalises Christianity.
  • 325

    First Council of Nicaea

    First Council of Nicaea
    The first ecumenical council. 318 bishops gather together at the behest of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great at the city of Nicaea to condemn Arianism, the teachings of the heretic Arius, who professed the Son of God to be a created being thus essentially denying the divinity of Jesus.
  • 380

    Christianity is made the state religion of the Roman Empire

    Christianity is made the state religion of the Roman Empire
    Emperor Theodosius I issues the decree De Fide Catolica which makes Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire.
  • 381

    First Council of Constantinople

    First Council of Constantinople
    The second ecumenical council. In order to finally defeat Arianism, an ecumenical council was called by Emperor Theodosius I to reinforce Nicaea I and to unify Christendom.
  • 382

    Synod of Rome

    Synod of Rome
    Under Pope Saint Damasus I, a synod was held in Rome. The surviving proceedings outline a list of canonical books of the Bible which are the same as the modern day Catholic canon.
  • 393

    Synod of Hippo

    Synod of Hippo
    For the first time, a biblical canon was approved, comprised of the 46 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament.
  • 400

    Vulgate completed

    Vulgate completed
    St Jerome completes his Latin translation of the Bible which would become the dominant translation of the Bible for hundreds of years.
  • 411

    Conference of Carthage

    Conference of Carthage
    Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo alongside other orthodox bishops put an end to heretical Donatism in North Africa.
  • 426

    Completion of The City of God

    Completion of The City of God
    Saint Augustine of Hippo completes his magnum opus, The City of God. Spanning 13 years of his life, it is one of the greatest works of Theology ever written.
  • 431

    Council of Ephesus

    Council of Ephesus
    The third ecumenical council. Patriarch of Constantinople Nestorius petitions Roman Emperor Theodosius II to call an ecumenical council to validate his Theological beliefs due to opposition from the Patriarch of Alexandria Cyril. These beliefs emphasise that Jesus' human and divine natures are separate and so Mary should be called Christotokos instead of Theotokos. With the backing of Pope Saint Celestine I, Cyril wins and Nestorianism is condemned.
  • 451

    Council of Chalcedon

    Council of Chalcedon
    The fourth ecumenical council. Under the emperorship of Marcian, an ecumenical council affirming the proceedings from Ephesus was held. Condemning Nestorianism and Monophysitism, proclaiming Christ possessing 2 natures in 1 person.
  • 496

    Clovis I converts to Catholicism

    Clovis I converts to Catholicism
    Clovis I, King of the Franks, after unifying his people, converts to Catholic Christianity and is baptised at the behest of his wife Saint Clotilde. The Frankish people follow, abandoning their pagan ways for Christianity.
  • 529

    Benedictine Order established

    Benedictine Order established
    The Order of Saint Benedict is established following the teachings and monastic lifestyle of Saint Benedict of Nursia.
  • 537

    Completion of Hagia Sophia

    Completion of Hagia Sophia
    Under Byzantine Emperor Justinian, the Hagia Sophia is completed, one of the largest churches in the world.
  • Period: 537 to 752

    Byzantine Papacy

    A period when the Byzantine emperor dominated the Papacy with all Papal consecrations requiring his approval.
  • 553

    Second Council of Constantinople

    Second Council of Constantinople
    The fifth ecumenical council. Convoked by Emperor Justinian it focused on condemning the “Three Chapters”—writings and theologians seen as sympathetic to Nestorianism.
  • 597

    The English convert to Catholicism

    The English convert to Catholicism
    Pope Saint Gregory I the Great sends Saint Augustine of Canterbury to convert the English, although afraid at first, his mission is largely successful.
  • Oct 26, 664

    Synod of Whitby

    Synod of Whitby
    Held in the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria, the Celtic Church in the British Isles agrees to follow the rest of the Church on issues such as the date of Easter.
  • Nov 7, 680

    Third Council of Constantinople

    Third Council of Constantinople
    The sixth ecumenical council. It condemned the heresy of Monothelitism, which taught that Christ had only one will (divine), and instead affirmed that Jesus Christ possesses two wills—divine and human—corresponding to his two natures.
  • Period: Jul 19, 711 to Jan 2, 1492

    Reconquista

    After Muslims invade Iberia, the Christians fight back to recover the peninsula. The Reconquista ends after over 700 years with the surrender of Granada, when Emir Muhammad XII handed over the city to the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile.
  • Aug 1, 787

    Second Council of Nicaea

    Second Council of Nicaea
    The seventh ecumenical council. It addressed the controversy over the use of icons (religious images) in Christian worship, affirming their veneration as legitimate and important for devotion while condemning Iconoclasm (the rejection or destruction of icons) as heretical. The council distinguished between veneration (proskynesis) given to icons and worship (latreia) due to God alone.
  • Dec 25, 800

    Charlemagne becomes the first Holy Roman Emperor

    Charlemagne becomes the first Holy Roman Emperor
    Pope Saint Leo III crowns King Charlemagne of the Franks as the Roman Emperor furthering the split with the Eastern churches.
  • 863

    Photian Schism

    Photian Schism
    A temporary schism occurred between the Eastern and Western churches after Byzantine Emperor Michael III forced Saint Ignatius to resign as Patriarch of Constantinople and installed the layman Photius. Pope Saint Nicholas the Great opposed this move and after his legates approved Photius' rise, he excommunicated Photius with Photius doing the same in return. The affair was settled when Basil the Macedonian usurped the Byzantine throne and reinstated Ignatius
  • Oct 5, 869

    Fourth Council of Constantinople

    Fourth Council of Constantinople
    The eighth ecumenical council. It was convened by Emperor Basil I and Pope Adrian II to address a major church conflict involving the deposition of Patriarch Photius I of Constantinople, who had been appointed under controversial circumstances. The council condemned Photius, reinstated his predecessor Ignatius, and reaffirmed the authority of the pope over church matters. While the Catholic Church accepts this council, the Eastern Orthodox churches reject it.
  • Feb 2, 962

    Otto the Great is crowned Holy Roman Emperor

    Otto the Great is crowned Holy Roman Emperor
    The German king Otto the Great revives the Holy Roman Empire by being coronated the new Roman Emperor by Pope John XII.
  • Apr 14, 966

    Baptism of Poland

    Baptism of Poland
    The Duke of Poland Mieszko I converts to Catholicism along with most of his nation. His wife Dobrawa of Bohemia played a significant role in his conversion.
  • Jul 16, 1054

    The Great Schism

    The Great Schism
    After growing tensions and Theological disagreements between the Western churches and Eastern churches, Pope Leo IX and Patriarch of Constantinople Michael Cerularius officially excommunicate each other and the churches that follow them.
  • 1075

    Investiture Controversy

    Investiture Controversy
    A conflict brewed between Christian monarchs, particularly the Holy Roman Emperor, and the Pope over whether the state had to authority to choose clergy.
  • Aug 15, 1084

    Carthusian Order established

    Carthusian Order established
    Saint Bruno of Cologne established the Order of Carthusians, an order for monks to live in seclusion.
  • Aug 15, 1096

    First Crusade

    First Crusade
    In response to Muslim aggression, raiding and invasion of Christian lands, Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos petitioned Pope Urban II for military aid. Pope Urban called the first Crusade. Men from all across Europe travelled to the Holy Land to establish Crusader States.
  • Sep 23, 1122

    Concordat of Worms

    Concordat of Worms
    Pope Callixtus II and Holy Roman Emperor Henry V brought about the end of the Investiture Controversy by agreeing that all clergy must take vows of obedience to the state but that their selection is by the Church.
  • Mar 18, 1123

    First Council of the Lateran

    First Council of the Lateran
    The ninth ecumenical council. Convened by Pope Callixtus II to confirm the Concordat of Worms, which had resolved the Investiture Controversy. The council affirmed the Church’s independence in spiritual matters, especially the right to elect bishops and abbots without interference from lay rulers. It also issued canons on clerical celibacy, simony (the buying or selling of church offices), and Church discipline
  • Apr 2, 1139

    Second Council of the Lateran

    Second Council of the Lateran
    The tenth ecumenical council. Convened by Pope Innocent II, it aimed to restore unity and order in the Church after a major schism caused by the election of antipope Anacletus II. The council confirmed Innocent II's legitimacy as pope and declared Anacletus's acts invalid. It also issued 30 canons addressing Church reform, including strict enforcement of clerical celibacy, condemnation of simony, and prohibition of laymen bearing arms in churches.
  • Jun 1, 1147

    Second Crusade

    Second Crusade
    Launched after the fall of the Crusader state of Edessa to Muslim forces. Led by King Louis VII of France and Emperor Conrad III of Germany, it ended in failure due to poor coordination and heavy losses. The only major success was the capture of Lisbon from the Moors by Portuguese and Crusader forces. The main campaign in the Holy Land failed to retake Edessa or achieve significant gains.
  • 1150

    Carmelite Order established

    Carmelite Order established
    The Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel was founded on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land. It's origins are shrouded in mystery, with no significant founder, it claims the Prophets Saint Elijah and Saint Elisha as its spiritual fathers.
  • Mar 5, 1179

    Third Council of the Lateran

    Third Council of the Lateran
    The eleventh ecumenical council. Called by Pope Alexander III. It ended a papal schism by confirming his legitimacy over rival antipopes and reformed Church practices. It limited papal elections to cardinals, condemned simony and heresies like Catharism, and addressed clerical discipline and education.
  • Apr 1, 1182

    Massacre of the Latins

    Massacre of the Latins
    Growing hatred against Latins in Constantinople leads to mass killings of them by the Greeks. The bitter feeling left by this event largely contributed to the sacking of Constantinople in the Fourth Crusade.
  • May 11, 1189

    Third Crusade

    Third Crusade
    After the death of Baldwin IV the Leper, Saladin captures Jerusalem. The crusade was launched to retake the holy city. Led by Richard the Lionheart, Philip II of France, and Emperor Frederick Barbarossa (who died en route), it achieved victories like the capture of Acre but failed to retake Jerusalem. A truce allowed Christian pilgrims access to the city.
  • Nov 10, 1202

    Fourth Crusade

    Fourth Crusade
    The Fourth Crusade was intended to reclaim Jerusalem but was diverted due to political and financial issues. Instead, Crusaders sacked Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, in 1204 which the Pope condemned. This led to the creation of the short-lived Latin Empire and deepened the East–West Christian divide. The crusade never reached the Holy Land.
  • Feb 24, 1209

    Franciscan Order established

    Franciscan Order established
    Following the humble and gentle lifestyle of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Orders of Friars Minor live lives of poverty, dvoted to helping others and aiding their local community.
  • Nov 11, 1215

    Fourth Council of the Lateran

    Fourth Council of the Lateran
    The twelfth ecumenical council, called by Pope Innocent III, was one of the most important medieval councils. It defined key doctrines, including transubstantiation, mandated annual confession and communion, and set rules for clergy reform. It also launched the Fifth Crusade and imposed measures against heresies like Catharism.
  • Dec 22, 1216

    Dominican Order established

    Dominican Order established
    Saint Dominic founds the Order of Preachers and is approved by Pope Honorius III via papal bull Religiosam vitam. Today the Dominicans are known for their intellectual prowess. Notable members include Saint Thomas Aquinas and Father Garrigou-Lagrange.
  • May 27, 1217

    Fifth Crusade

    Fifth Crusade
    The crusade aimed to conquer Egypt, seen as the key to controlling the Holy Land. Led by European forces, including King Andrew II of Hungary and Pelagius, a papal legate, the crusade initially captured Damietta. However, poor leadership and refusal to accept peace terms led to a disastrous retreat and surrender in 1221.
  • Jun 28, 1228

    Sixth Crusade

    Sixth Crusade
    Led by Emperor Frederick II, this crusade was unique for achieving its goals through diplomacy, not battle. Excommunicated at the time, Frederick negotiated a treaty with Sultan al-Kamil of Egypt, regaining Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth for Christians.
  • Mar 1, 1244

    Augustinian Order established

    Augustinian Order established
    While being an Augustinian encompasses multiple religious orders, the largest and most ancient is the Order of Saint Augustine, previously the Hermits of Saint Augustine, following the rule of Saint Augustine of Hippo.
  • Jun 26, 1245

    First Council of Lyon

    First Council of Lyon
    The thirteenth ecumenical council, convened by Pope Innocent IV, addressed Church reforms and political conflicts. It condemned and excommunicated Emperor Frederick II for defying papal authority, escalating the power struggle between the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire. The council also discussed crusade efforts and aimed to strengthen Church discipline and unity.
  • Aug 25, 1248

    Seventh Crusade

    Seventh Crusade
    King Louis IX of France, targeted Egypt to weaken Muslim power and reclaim Jerusalem. The crusaders captured Damietta but were eventually defeated and Louis was captured near Cairo. After his release, the crusade ended without major gains, marking another failure to secure the Holy Land.
  • 1265

    Completion of Summa contra Gentiles

    Completion of Summa contra Gentiles
    One of Saint Thomas Aquinas' greatest works, Summa contra Gentiles was a precursor to the Summa Theologiae but nonetheless impressive.
  • Jul 2, 1270

    Eighth Crusade

    Eighth Crusade
    Again King Louis IX of France crusaded, targeting Tunis in North Africa instead of the Holy Land. The campaign was short-lived—Louis died of illness shortly after arriving, and the crusaders made little progress before negotiating a peace treaty.
  • 1273

    Completion of Summa Theologiae

    Completion of Summa Theologiae
    Saint Thomas Aquinas passes away leaving his Summa Theologiae unfinished. His magnum opus, the Summa is considered one of the greatest works of Theology in History, combining Christianity with Aristotilean metaphysics. His students complete their master's work.
  • May 7, 1274

    Second Council of Lyon

    Second Council of Lyon
    The fourteenth ecumenical council. It temporarily reconciled with the Byzantine Orthodox Church by accepting papal primacy, though the union was short-lived. The council also reformed Church administration, set rules for papal elections.
  • Period: 1309 to 1376

    Avignon Papacy

    A period of time when the Pope resided in Avignon in the Kingdom of Arles, Holy Roman Empire
  • Oct 16, 1311

    Council of Vienne

    Council of Vienne
    The fifteenth ecumenical council. Called by Pope Clement V, it addressed several key issues including the suppression of the Knights Templar, whose order was disbanded amid accusations of heresy.
  • Sep 20, 1378

    Western Schism

    Western Schism
    After the death of Pope Gregory XI, 3 bishops claimed the Papacy. While only one was valid, this led to disunity and confusion.
  • Nov 5, 1414

    Council of Constance

    Council of Constance
    The sixteenth ecumenical council. With the Council of Constance, the Pope resigned and the Antipopes were deposed, marking the end of the Western Schism and restoring unity under Pope Martin V.
  • Jul 30, 1419

    Hussite Wars

    Hussite Wars
    After the execution of Jan Hus, his followers in the Kingdom of Bohemia resist Catholic and Holy Roman authority. After a series of crusades, all ending in failure, the Hussites after much internal dispute end up submitting to Rome
  • Jul 25, 1431

    Council of Florence

    Council of Florence
    The seventeenth ecumenical council. It saw great dialogue with the East which almost culminated in reunification however the East backed out.
  • Oct 12, 1492

    Christopher Columbus arrives in the Americas

    Christopher Columbus arrives in the Americas
    Christopher Columbus lands in the New World forever uniting the Americas with the rest of the world, from this discovery the Catholic faith will be spread over the majority of the vast newly discovered continents.
  • May 10, 1512

    Fifth Council of the Lateran

    Fifth Council of the Lateran
    The eighteenth ecumenical council, convened by Pope Julius II. It sought to re-assert papal authority, end disputes between Catholic rulers, condemn heresy and reform the Church with regards to clerical discipline and moral behaviour. The failure to enact the teachings of the council unfortunately led to the Protestant revolt.
  • Oct 31, 1512

    Completion of the Sistine Chapel

    Completion of the Sistine Chapel
    Michelangelo finishes the gruelling task of painting the Sistine Chapel adorning it with some of the greatest works of art ever made.
  • Oct 31, 1517

    Protestant Revolt

    Protestant Revolt
    Amidst growing corruption, a German Friar Martin Luther draws up his 95 Theses denying several doctrines of the Catholic Church. With no intention of denying his heretical views, Luther and others, with the support of nobles seeking to further their own power, begin a rebellion against the Catholic Church culminating in Protestantism and the fracturing of Western Christianity.
  • Mar 31, 1521

    Catholicism introduced to the Philippines

    Catholicism introduced to the Philippines
    Famous explorer Ferdinand Magellan, the first man to circumnavigate the globe, introduces Catholicism to the Philippines.
  • Dec 9, 1531

    Our Lady of Guadalupe

    Our Lady of Guadalupe
    The Virgin Mary appears to Saint Juan Diego four times in Guadalupe, Mexico, leading to the conversion of nine million people to the Catholic faith, offsetting the loss from the Protestant Revolt. An image appeared out of these apparitions which many claim has a divine origin due to the how incredibly sophisticated it is.
  • Nov 3, 1534

    Act of Supremacy

    Act of Supremacy
    Seeking an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, King Henry VIII of England officially breaks ties with Rome and places himself as head of the Church of England.
  • Feb 4, 1536

    Dissolution of the monasteries

    Dissolution of the monasteries
    All monasteries in England are closed by order of Henry VIII to fund the crown.
  • Sep 27, 1540

    Jesuit Order established

    Jesuit Order established
    Founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola SJ, the Society of Jesus works to promote ecumenical dialogue while helping the less fortunate.
  • Dec 13, 1545

    Council of Trent

    Council of Trent
    The nineteenth ecumenical council. The Council of Trent was called in response to the growing Protestant Revolt. Trent began the Catholic Counter-Reformation outlining Soteriology, Canon of Scripture and other beliefs in opposition to the Protestants. It also addressed the corruption that had concerned the now Protestants.
  • Aug 15, 1549

    Catholicism introduced to Japan

    Catholicism introduced to Japan
    One of the co-founders of the Jesuits, Saint Francis Xavier SJ, makes the first Christian mission to Japan.
  • Apr 9, 1553

    Chaldeans reunite with Rome

    Chaldeans reunite with Rome
    The Chaldean church in Iraq leaves the Church of the East and reunifies with the Catholic Church after bishops appoint Shimun VIII Yohannan Sulaqa who goes to Rome and is consecrated by the Pope.
  • Completion of Saint Peter's Basilica

    Completion of Saint Peter's Basilica
    The modern day Saint Peter's Basilica is completed.
  • Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

    Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
    Saint Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a French nun of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. She instructed the nun to have a medal struck depicting Mary standing on a globe with rays of light coming from her hands, surrounded by the words “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” The medal has been associated with miracles.
  • Our Lady of La Salette

    Our Lady of La Salette
    The Virgin Mary appears to Maximin Giraud and Melanie Calvat, near the village of La Salette in the French Alps. According to their testimony, Mary appeared weeping and delivered a message calling for repentance, prayer, and conversion, warning of future hardships if people did not amend their ways.
  • Catholic hierarchy in England re-established

    Catholic hierarchy in England re-established
    With an improving situation for Catholics in England brought about by the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 and the Oxford Movement, Pope Pius IX issues Universalis Ecclesiae re-establishing the Catholic hierarchy in England. The new dioceses do not follow the ancient dioceses.
  • Our Lady of Lourdes

    Our Lady of Lourdes
    The Blessed Virgin Mary appears to 14 year old Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France several times introducing herself by saying "I am the Immaculate Conception", instructing her to dig in the ground revealing a spring with the waters healing many; making it a popular pilgrimage site to this day.
  • Salesians of Don Bosco founded

    Salesians of Don Bosco founded
    Saint John Bosco SDB founds the Society of Saint Francis de Sales focusing on education, vocational training, and youth ministry.
  • First Council of the Vatican

    First Council of the Vatican
    The twentieth ecumenical council. It outlined the doctrine of Papal Infallibility and denounced Secularism, Communism and other Atheist beliefs.
  • The Kulturkampf

    The Kulturkampf
    German politicians led by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck sought to subordinate ecclesial authorities to the state and limit the influence they have in everyday life. This caused conflict between the Church and the new German Empire. Several policies were enacted such as the expulsion of the Jesuits from Germany. Ultimately, Bismarck's struggle failed as he faced serious opposition from the Catholic Germans and minorities within the Empire and the Centre party.
  • Our Lady of Knock

    Our Lady of Knock
    The Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and Saint John the Evangelist appeared praying to several people in Knock, Ireland.
  • Completion of Cologne Cathedral

    Completion of Cologne Cathedral
    What begun in 1248 is finally completed. Cologne Cathedral stands as one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture ever constructed.
  • Our Lady of Fátima

    Our Lady of Fátima
    The Virgin Mary appears to three children, Lúcia dos Santosin, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, in Portugal speaking prophecies and performing miracles.
  • First promulgation of the Code of Canon Law

    First promulgation of the Code of Canon Law
    Pope Pius X ordered the first write-up of the Code of Canon Law which was overseen by Pietro Cardinal Gasparri and promulgated under Pope Benedict XV
  • Lateran Treaty

    Lateran Treaty
    In the Lateran Pacts, a treaty was signed between the Church under the pontificate of Pius XI and the Kingdom of Italy under King Victor Emmanuel III and Benito Mussolini. It stipulated the creation of Vatican City as an independent nation with financial reimbursement for the loss of the Papal States, thus solving the Roman question.
  • First Feast of the Divine Mercy

    First Feast of the Divine Mercy
    After Jesus appears to Polish nun Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, he instructs her to commission a painting of himself. Jesus tells Saint Faustina to encourage others to bear devotion to the image and to Jesus' divine mercy. The original painting is done by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski; for the first time at Mass in Lithuania, the feast of the divine mercy is celebrated.
  • The Lord of the Rings published

    The Lord of the Rings published
    J.R.R. Tolkien publishes the last book of The Lord of the Rings, his magnum opus fantasy, celebrating European tradition and mythology while being heavily influenced by Tolkien's Catholicism.
  • Second Council of the Vatican

    Second Council of the Vatican
    The twenty first ecumenical council. Needing to adapt to the modern age, Pope Saint John XXIII called an ecumenical council to increase the laity's participation in the Church and to increase ecumenism. Its completion was overseen by John's successor Pope Saint Paul VI.
  • Death of Saint Óscar Romero

    Death of Saint Óscar Romero
    Archbishop Saint Óscar Romero, an outspoken critic of the El Salvadoran military government is shot and killed by an assassin while celebrating Mass. He was known for speaking out against social injustice and violence.
  • Promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

    Promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
    Under Pope Saint John Paul II, a unified codex of the doctrines of the Catholic Church is promulgated