First Luminous Mystery of Christ’s life: The Baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan by John the Baptist.

The site of Jesus’ baptism was identified by the first Christians at a bend in the Jordan river as it travels through the desert of Judea, where the ruins of a 4th century Church have been found. Right in this` river, pilgrims can enter the now small muddy flow of water close to where Jesus stood, and where the ancient Israelites entered into the promised land after the Exodus.

Second Luminous Mystery of Christ’s life: The Wedding at Cana in Galilee, where Jesus performed his first miracle turning water into wine.

Stone jars can be seen inside the small Church in the town of Cana, close to Nazareth. Such jars would have been the kind used at the time of Jesus to hold plain water for ritual washing – turned by the Lord into most excellent wine at the wedding banquet attended by his mother and apostles.

Third Luminous Mystery of Christ’s life: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God on the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.

The topography where Jesus likely delivered the Sermon on the Mount is like a natural amphitheater, able to accommodate crowds of people able to hear his words. Most of the Sea of Galilee can be seen from the mountainside, inviting pilgrims to repent and turn their gaze Heavenward.

Fourth Luminous Mystery of Christ’s life: The Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, where Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John.

A solitary mountain popping up from the flat Jezreel valley near Nazareth is Tabor. Ruins of fortresses, monasteries and churches from different ages are scattered over the mountaintop. On the Eastern summit offering views over lower Galilee, a remarkable Church commemorates the Transfiguration, with chapels dedicated to Elijah and Moses who spoke with Jesus during his transfiguration.

Fifth Luminous Mystery of Christ’s life: The Institution of the Eucharist in Jerusalem, in the Upper Room, where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples.

Located right outside the Old City gates of Jerusalem on Mt Zion, vestiges of a Franciscan convent and a vaulted room erected by the Crusaders, houses the ‘Upper Room’, the likely location where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his Apostles.