Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

September 21, 1991 (*)

In an act of His infinite goodness, the Incarnation of the Word in the most pure bosom of Mary, God created the links that bound Himself to mankind. And Mary, becoming His Mother, likewise became the spiritual Mother of all men.

Thus, when she petitions her Divine Son for us, it is as a mother who intercedes with one of her sons on behalf of his brother. It is impossible not to attend her. Because of this, theologians attribute to Our Lady the title "Suppliant Omnipotence." By virtue of her unfathomable perfections, God always hears her prayers on our behalf, and she obtains from Him what we could not merit by ourselves.

An example will illustrate this truth.

Imagine a mother who has two sons. One, upright and honest, serves as a judge; the other is simply a criminal, whom his brother is going to judge.

What happens then?

The mother appeals to her son the magistrate, saying, "My son, I know that you are the judge and that to you falls the administration of justice. Your brother's wrongdoings are such as to deserve the death penalty. In truth, however, you, O judge, equally owe me your life. Spare this man who merits capital punishment, in compliance with the requests of her who gave you birth.

What son would refuse such an affectionate request?

The intercession of Mary on behalf of sinful humanity is similar to this. And since she is the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, He concedes her everything that the best of sons can give the best of mothers.

Such is the value of Our Lady's impetration that, according to the teaching of theology, all the prayers of all creatures must be presented to her adorable Son through her, for thus has the Divine Will disposed.

This is the Mother of indescribable sweetness, of unlimited compassion towards her miserable sons, for whom she obtains of the Judge pardon and graces.

How many examples attest to this untiring solicitude of Mary towards men! Amongst others, one may take the example of the Good Thief. The Divine Crucified, attending the supplications of His Mother at the foot of the Cross, pardoned him at the final hour with that stupendous promise: "Today, thou shalt be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43).

One thus understands the importance of Our Lady's intercession, relieving our arduous existence and filling our souls with jubilation. How the life of a Catholic would be somber were it not for the Virgin's protection. On the contrary, how light it is, how full of hope, pardon, and maternal affection with the continuous assistance of Mary, the Omnipotent Supplicant! 

(*) Crusade for a Christian Civilization, Sept-Oct 1996