***I doubt Michaelangelo started out intending the Pieta to be an idol. It has sure become so. What I didn’t understand was with both Christ and Mary in the statue, Mary seemed to get more attention, adoration, worship from the pilgrims.***
Veneration, sure. We appreciate so very much what she did for us in bearing the Christ child, in raising Him to adulthood and standing by Him during His passion. I don’t believe that it is worship; none of the folks that I know worship Mary. But we are so absolutely grateful to her for what she has done for all of us.
***Certainly not all pilgrims prostrated themselves before this or that. But some did.***
I imagine that when first faced with such a holy place, people will do what their hearts lead them to do. I have been in many holy places - the Dom in Koln (second only to St. Peter’s in Europe) almost overwhelmed me when I entered. I felt God’s presence everywhere in that cathedral to the greatest degree that I have ever felt it. I almost prostrated myself on the spot just upon entering.
***The facts will either be ignored, dodged or some such and some minutae will be siezed on instead.***
There is a difference between facts and beliefs. One’s beliefs do not necessarily coincide with established facts. And vice versa.
I have prostrated myself in moments/places of worship as well.
But never TO an idol or anything or anyone else but God.
There may have been once as an act of submission to a Pastor but I deeply regretted it immediately.
The admission was that those who prostrate themselves before a statue of Mary would be worshipping her. I have seen such . . .
That’s the point.
Dance around it to your heart’s content.