This word, Advocate, has been coming to my mind and heart lately. Advocate: to come to one's aid, to intercede or plead for. (In Greek, the word is Paraclete.)
I am surrounded by advocates here at St. Teresa School: our teachers and staff! I am constantly edified and humbled by the way they tirelessly advocate for your children, the students at St. Teresa School. Thank you for all that you do.
Where does one get the inspiration and example to advocate? The Holy Spirit and Mary.
1. The Holy Spirit--a powerful prayer this time of year is the Sequence for Pentecost, full of invocations and ways that the Holy Spirit comes to our aid. When our souls are parched, or injured, hardened or wayward, tempted or sorrowful...He is there to advocate for us.
2. Mary, our Queen and Mother--As we pray in the Hail, Holy Queen, Mary also comes to our aid as our light, our sweetness and our hope, turning her eyes of mercy toward us, a most gracious advocate.
When we're experiencing a tough day or feel like we have no advocate of our own, remember to go to these two--they won't let you down.
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to be with you always." -John 14:16
Sister Mary Agnes, C.K.