Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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ADVOCATE

A title of Christ, who is called "our Advocate with the Father" (I John 2:1). Also the title of the Holy Spirit, sometimes translated Paraclete, whom Christ promised to send to his followers (John 14:16). Christ is our Advocate who defends the cause of Christian believers against their accuser, the devil (Revelation 12). The Holy Spirit is our Advocate as "the person called to one's side" to strengthen and plead our cause, implying that we effectually seek his aid. (Etym. Latin advocatus, an advocate, one "called upon" to plead.)