On Monday, the feast day of Mary, the Diocese of Allentown sent up a prayer that the Mother of God would protect the diocese by keeping the parishioners on the right path. The feast day comes a day after Pentecost.

“Mary, Mother of the Church, the Patroness of the Diocese of Allentown, always protect our Diocese so that we may remain faithful to the Son of God and Son of Mary, Jesus Christ the Lord,” the diocese posted on Facebook.

Mary holds a unique position among Catholics, a report from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) said. As a human, she is considered to be among those in need of God's saving, but as the Mother of God, she has received the gift of God's grace at a level that surpasses all others. Mary's willingness to go along with God's plan, even though it put her at risk of being stoned, also puts her in a crucial role in salvation. Catholics acknowledge Mary to be a role model of discipleship and often as an intercessor. 

Mary is honored many times throughout the year, the Marians said. Some of the highest celebrations include: the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, which is celebrated on Jan. 1; the Annunciation, which is celebrated on March 25; the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, which is celebrated on May 13; the Visitation, which is celebrated on May 31; Mary’s Assumption into Heaven, which is celebrated on Aug. 15; and the Immaculate Conception, which is celebrated on Dec. 8. 

Pentecost celebrates the day the Holy Spirit filled Jesus' disciples, enabling them to preach the Gospel, a report on Christianity.com said. It happened approximately 50 days after Jesus' resurrection and approximately 10 days after his ascension into heaven. Jesus’ followers were gathered inside of a room. Suddenly there was a sound, as if a gust of wind had blown into the room. Tongues of fire appeared overhead and the Holy Spirit filled the apostles. They began to speak in tongues, with everybody in the crowd that had gathered around them hearing Jesus' followers speaking in their own native language. Peter preached to the crowd about Jesus, and that day 3,000 people converted.