A Marian Timeline

Daughter of Sts. Joachim and Anne; the Immaculate Conception.

Gabriel announces; Mary consents; the Word is made flesh.

Mary gives birth to the Son of God in a stable.

Mother given to the disciple; prays with the Apostles at Pentecost.

Tradition: Mary appears in bilocation to St. James while still living, granting him a pillar of jasper.

The earliest known Marian prayer is composed in Egypt.

Mary defined as Theotokos — Mother of God.

Richeldis de Faverches receives a vision and builds the 'Holy House.'

Tradition holds Mary gives the Rosary to St. Dominic to combat heresy.

Mary appears to St. Simon Stock, promising her protection through the Scapular.

Mary appears to St. Juan Diego; her image is miraculously imprinted on his tilma. Millions of conversions follow.

Pope Pius V attributes the naval victory to the Rosary; institutes the feast of Our Lady of Victory.

Apparitions to shepherdess Benoîte Rencurel span 54 years; approved by Rome in 2008.

Mary entrusts to St. Catherine Labouré the Medal of the Immaculate Conception.

Mary weeps before two shepherd children, calling for conversion.

Pope Pius IX defines that Mary was conceived without original sin.

Mary appears 18 times to St. Bernadette: 'I am the Immaculate Conception.' A healing spring flows still.

The first Church-approved apparition in the United States, to Adele Brise.

Mary appears to children during the Franco-Prussian War; the town is spared.

Silent apparition of Mary, Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist, witnessed by fifteen villagers.

Six apparitions to three shepherd children; the Miracle of the Sun before 70,000 witnesses on October 13.

Mary, the 'Virgin with the Golden Heart,' appears to five children.

'I am the Virgin of the Poor.' Eight apparitions to Mariette Beco.

Pope Pius XII defines that Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven.

Apparitions and a weeping wooden statue witnessed by Sister Agnes Sasagawa.

Apparitions to Bernardo Martínez calling for the Rosary and conversion.

Apparitions to Rwandan schoolgirls warning of impending tragedy; approved by the Church in 2001.