Mary, Advocate of Sinners, Mary: Day 138

Mary, Advocate of Sinners

Do you need a patron to represent you in the divine court? St. Alphonsus says let Mary be your advocate.

Perhaps there may be a sinner who, though not doubting Mary’s power, might doubt her compassion—fearing that she might be unwilling to help him on account of the greatness of his sins. If so, let him take courage from the words of St. Bonaventure:

“The great, the special privilege of Mary, is that she is all-powerful with her Son. . . . But to what purpose would Mary have such great power if she didn’t care for us?

“No! We must not doubt, but be certain, that she is our most loving advo- cate, and the one who is the most solicitous for our welfare, to the same degree that her power with God exceeds that of all the saints. And let us always thank our Lord and his divine mother for that.”

“And who, O Mother of Mercy,” exclaims St. Germanus, in the joy of his heart, “who, after your Jesus, is as tenderly solicitous for our welfare as you are? Who defends us in the temptations with which we are afflicted as you defend us? Who, like you, undertakes to protect sinners, fighting in their behalf ?”

“Therefore,” he adds, “your patronage, O Mary, is more powerful and lov- ing than anything of which we can ever form an idea.”

Mary takes care of all, even of sinners. Indeed, she glories in being called in a special way their advocate, as she herself declared to the venerable Sister Mary Villani, saying: “After the title of Mother of God, I rejoice most in that of Advocate of Sinners.” —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
If I should imagine I’m in court, standing before the judge, I can hear him read aloud the charges against me, all of which are true. Then my advocate steps forward to speak for me and to appeal to the judge’s mercy—and that advocate is the mother of the judge! What do I think the judge will say?

CLOSING PRAYER
From “Remember, O Virgin Mother”: Remember, O Virgin Mother of God, when you will stand before the face of the Lord, to speak favorable things in our behalf, so that he may turn away his indignation from us.

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