The Diocese of Winona-Rochester marked the feast of the Assumption of Mary on Aug. 15 by offering some history about Mary’s place in the Church.

“Pope Pius XII published an Apostolic Constitution, Munificentissimus Deus, on November 1, 1950, that defined the Assumption of Mary to be a dogma of faith,” the diocese posted online. 

Pope Pius XII said in the document: “We pronounce, declare and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma that the immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory.”

During the Assumption, Mary’s body and soul were taken into Heaven, where she took a seat at the right hand of Jesus as Queen of Heaven and Earth, according to the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. 

"Looking at the Mother of God in glory, we understand that true power is service, that to reign means to love, and that this is the road to Heaven,” Pope Francis tweeted. 

Catholics revere Mary for her unique position in the Church. As a human, she is included among those in need of God's saving, but as the Mother of God, she has received the gift of God's grace to an extent that surpasses all others, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Mary's willingness to go along with God's plan, though it put her life in jeopardy, gives her a crucial role in salvation. Catholics acknowledge Mary as a role model of discipleship and may ask for her intercession. 

Catholics celebrate the feast of the Assumption of Mary on Aug. 15, according to catholic.org. Mary is honored on multiple other feast days throughout the year, according to the Marians, including the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, on Jan. 1; the Annunciation on March 25; the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima on May 13; the Visitation on May 31; and the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8.