Thank you, Victor. Actually, technically, we pray through Mary (at times). There is nothing, byt the way, preventing us from praying directly to Jesus. We do it often. I am still amazed at the ignorance of many of these posters. They are so blinded by their hatred for Catholicism that they would probably be offended if they actually met Catholics in heaven. LOL Thanks again.

My first "real" GF (I was 16) was Catholic. My ex wife is Catholic. I am sick and tired of Catholic bashing...and not just here on RIA. You're correct- it is a result of ignorance.

Many faithful Catholics fervently pray to the virgin Mary, believing that she is the mediator who intercedes on their behalf before the Father: "Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix." Pg. 252, #969 Here, four specific titles are attributed to Mary. Does she fulfill them? Let' s look at each one: Advocate The belief that Mary is an advocate before the Father is yet another man-made tradition, not supported by Scripture. Moreover, the Bible defies Catholic doctrine by declaring that Jesus, not Mary, is the only Advocate: "...if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:" 1 John 2:1 Helper Once again, the Bible disagrees with Catholicism by declaring that Jesus, not Mary, is the only supernatural Helper: "Behold, God is mine helper..." Psalm 54:4 "So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Hebrews 13:6 "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all." Psalm 34:19 Never in the Word of God is Mary mentioned as being a supernatural helper. Benefactress Here is another tradition of men. The Bible calls no one, including Mary, a "benefactress." Mediatrix The Bible never elevates Mary to the position of mediatrix, but it does ordain Jesus as the one and only mediator: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" 1 Timothy 2:5 "And for this cause he (Christ) is the mediator of the new testament..." Hebrews 9:15 Intercessor The function of both a mediator and an advocate is to intercede on behalf of others. Catholic tradition assigns this position to Mary, whereas God's Word exalts the Lord Jesus Christ as the only intercessor: "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands... but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:" Hebrews 9:24 "Wherefore he (Jesus) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25 Scripture could not be any plainer about the identity of the true intercessor: "... It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Romans 8:34 "... he (Jesus) maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:27 The Bible reveals that anyone who reaches the Father must go through Jesus Christ: "For through him (Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." Ephesians 2:18 "According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access..." Ephesians 3:11-12 Mary is never mentioned as an intercessor. Jesus is degraded again The Bible is quite definite. Jesus is the only Advocate, Helper, Mediator and Intercessor before the Father. Yet, Catholic tradition strips these four titles away from Him and drops them in Mary's lap instead. Why? Why is Jesus degraded at every turn? Why is Catholicism determined to take from Jesus everything the Bible attributes to Him and give it to someone or something else? If Mary is so exalted, why did Bible characters like the Apostle Paul utter words like: "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2 Conclusion Now you know the positions of both the Bible and Catholic tradition. Will you reject the Word of God and give glory to Mary? Or will you reject the traditions of men and give glory to Jesus Christ? "But now hath he (Jesus) obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." Hebrews 8:6