“Have we any examples, in the Scriptures, of sinners, who, fearing to be rebuked by Jesus, have gone to Mary and obtained access to him through her, and been saved through her intercessions?”
“I do not remember of any such cases,” replied the bishop.
I then asked: “To whom did the penitent thief, on the cross, address himself to be saved; was it to Jesus or to Mary?”
“It was to Jesus,” replied the bishop.
“Did that penitent thief do well to address himself to Jesus on the cross, rather than to Mary who was at His feet?” said I.
“Surely he did better,” answered the bishop.
“Now, my lord, allow me only one question more. You told me that Jesus loved sinners, when on earth, infinitely more than Mary; that he was infinitely more their true friend than she was; that he infinitely took more interest in their salvation, than Mary; that it was infinitely better for sinners to go to Jesus than to Mary, to be saved; will you please tell me if you think that Jesus has lost, in heaven, since he is sitting at the right hand of his Father, any of his divine and infinite superiority of love and mercy over Mary for sinners: and can you show me that what Jesus has lost has been gained by Mary?”
“I do not think that Christ has lost any of his love, and power to save us, now that he is in heaven,” answered the bishop.
“Now, my lord, if Jesus is still my best friend; my most powerful, merciful and loving friend, why should I not go directly to him? Why should we, for a moment, go to any one who is infinitely inferior, in power, love and mercy, for our salvation?”
The bishop was stunned by my questions.