Q. 1. What does the word "transfiguration" mean?

A. 1. In simple language, the transfiguration means a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state.

In the Catholic Church, when reference is made to the "Transfiguration of Jesus," it relates to the event reported in the Gospels [Matthew 17:1–9, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28–36] when Jesus and three of his apostles went to a mountain. There, Jesus began to shine with bright rays of light. Then the prophets Moses and Elijah appeared next to him and he spoke with them. Next, Jesus was called the "Son" by a voice in the sky, assumed to be God the Father.