Replies

I really have to get going, although I'd love to continue this. You bring up some very thought provoking points that stretch what I often take for granted as Faith. But I must confess, my faith is simple.

Mary was conceived without the Original Sin (brought upon us by Adam and Eve) because Mary was to carry and raise Jesus, God the Son. Mary was "FULL of Grace".

I don't pray TO Mary. I ask Mary to carry my prayers to God, as a mother would ask her children or spouse for something on my behalf. An example would be the Wedding Feast at Cana. I was taught, "To Jesus, through Mary"

I ask Mary to help me to be more like her, in that she readily accepted God's will. "Be it done unto me according to Thy word". Can you imagine THAT kind of Faith in God?
Mary is not equal to God, but as the Mother of Jesus she is the closest to God of all the Holy ones.

As to the prayers and petitions: "receive my soul and ESCORT IT into the PRESENCE of GOD". We are not saying that Mary is the be all, end all. It's a "human" plea: mother, help me (by the example of you willingness) to reach God. All of the other prayers follow suit. We are asking Mary to guide us to God. When a child (of any age) hurts themselves or is in trouble they cry for their mother for comfort and guidance. Mary raised the human Jesus, we ask her to help us to follow, as closely as a human can, the path of her Son. She was there!
Don't know if this makes any sense. As I said, my faith is simple.