[Alkhin]

No, Im sorry...no links...wasnt thinking of websites...just perceptions and observations Ive made on my own. Look, maybe I didnt think hard enough about what I was trying to say. The perception I have been getting is the RCC is stressing Mary over the Trinity, Mary over Christ. Instead of talking about the meaning of the Resurrection and Christ’s suffering, every time I visit an RCC service, I hear more about what amounts to (in my view) “what can we do for Mary.” I understand the Immaculate Conception, I understand what her acceptance of God’s purpose for her - I think its beautiful. But when I joined the ACC and read for the first time the language of the Book of Common Prayer (1928), I heard language and thought and prayer that said everything *I* wanted to say to God...and it wasnt dependent on my dedication to Mary. My priest explains that in the ACC if one feels close to Mary to ask for her intercession and to pray with you, then by all means - this is the rule for all the saints - but the bottom line has always and always WILL be the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I hear the RCC push Mary way too much and I have an aversion to that. That’s really what I meant to say...I apologize for the confusion

[Mad Dawg]

The whole impression thing is tricky, and one reason is that a good deal of devotion is done in private. I "read my office" at home by myself. I do gather for a rosary almost daily (except Sunday) but I also go to Mass daily.

On a percentage basis the bulk of my time is aimed at the Most Holy Trinity, an the vast majority of my thinking is headed thataway as well, with the Second Person getting the most processor time, I guess.

I've never been involved in a Marian procession. I have been involved in processions of the Blessed Sacrament (twice, as a matter of fact, at Smokey Mary's in NYC when I was an Episcopal acolyte back when the earth was young.)

The onoly Catholic Monastery I've hung out at was a Trappist establishment in Missouri. Mary got a little hymn at the end of the day -- that was it.

Just becuase a sore thumb sticks out, doesn't mean it's the biggest part of the body. People know about Rosaries and Hail Mary plays, and such like. They see the statues and the little old ladies reciting their rosaries in obedience to Fatima and for the conversion of Russia. (worked too!) But I think a flase impression is formed.

I mean I"ve been praying the rosary off and on since the late 1960's, and ON WAY more than off for several years. But it's still a small part of my prayer and thought. Wonderful but small.

But, I'd still say every one should actively explore a relationship with Mary, out of piety (in the Roman, not Church, sense) because

1. SHe is the Mother of Christ.
2. She is the mother of all the members of His Sacred Body.
3. She is the mother of His mystical Body
4. She is the mother of all the members of the mystical Body.
5. Therefore she is your mother-- not in a way that takes what belongs to your natural mother, but that gives you to her and her to you.

So from our POV it's almost indecent, in the Roman sense, not to show respect to your mother.