Of course, one must believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and was crucified, and rose, or all is for naught. Every Catholic I know who venerates Mary, believes in and worships Jesus. Jesus is Lord; Mary’s just His mom. But in that alone, having been chosen to bear the Incarnation, makes her unique among mortal humans.
Unique, yes. Mediatrix (ie conduit or channel) of all Gods graces to everyone, no. Someone we have to have mediate for us because we cannot pray to God dirdctly and receive His forgiveness ans grace and mercy, no.
This was not a thread debating her uniqueness. Dont rephrase the issue into something else.