Mary Our Advocate

Her Son is our advocate; she too is our advocate, but in a very different way, as I have explained a hundred of times. The Savior is an advocate of justice, for he pleads our case, alleging its right and reason. He produces our supporting evidence, which is no other than his redemption, blood, and cross; and he tells his Father that we are indeed his debtors, but that he has paid for us. The Virgin and the saints, however, are advocates of grace. They plead for us so that we may be forgiven, in the name of the Savior's Passion. They do not have the means to justify us, but they rely on the Savior. In short, they do not join their prayers to the Savior's intercession but to ours, for they are not of the same quality. If Jesus Christ prays in Heaven, he prays by his own virtue. The Virgin prays only by the virtue of her Son like us, but with more credit and favor. Do you not see that all of this gives her Son more honor and increases his glory? Saint Francis de Sales Complete Works, volume VII Quoted in Hubert Du Manoir, Maria:etudes sur la sainte Vierge Vol. II