The Diocese of Winona-Rochester celebrated the feast day of Mary, Mother of God on Monday, posting a quote from St. John Paul II about her importance.

“Today we celebrate the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the church,” the diocese posted on Facebook.

”The title ‘Mother of the Church’… reflects the deep conviction of the Christian faithful, who see in Mary not only the mother of the person of Christ, but also of the faithful. She who is recognized as mother of salvation, life and grace, mother of the saved and mother of the living, is rightly proclaimed Mother of the Church,” the post continued, attributing it to St. John Paul II.

Mary holds a special position in Catholic belief. On one hand, as a human, she is included among those who need God's saving; on the other hand, as the Mother of God, she has received the gift of God's grace to a greater extent than all others, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Although doing so put her in jeopardy, Mary’s willingness to participate in God's plan places her in a crucial role in salvation. Catholics acknowledge Mary as a role model of the importance of discipleship and in prayers ask for her intercession.

Mary is honored on multiple feast days every year, the Marians said. Most notably, the Church has set aside May of the Month of Mary. Catholics celebrate two big days that month, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima on May 13, and the Visitation on the last day of the month. Other annual feast days include: the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, on Jan. 1; the Annunciation on March 25; Mary's Assumption into Heaven on Aug. 15; and the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8.

Others, like this one, have flexible dates. This feast day is always celebrated the day after Pentecost.

Pentecost commemorates the day the Holy Spirit filled Jesus' disciples and better enabled them to preach the Gospel. Pentecost comes 50 days after Jesus' resurrection and around 10 days after his ascension into heaven. Jesus' followers were gathered inside of a room and, according to Christianity.com, it sounded as if a gust of wind had rushed into the room. Tongues of fire appeared, and the Holy Spirit filled the apostles. They began to speak in tongues, as others who were gathered around them all heard Jesus' followers speaking in the listener’s native language. Peter’s preaching about Jesus helped convert 3,000 people to Christianity that day.