[N3WBI3]

mary's role in salvation can be summed up very succinctly: she gave birth to the Savior and she was the first person directly saved by Jesus.

Then why all the prayer to her?

[k2blader]

Catholics pray to Mary because they were taught to..

Is it biblical? No..

But be prepared to argue over it 'til the cows come home.. :-)

[wideawake]

Then why all the prayer to her?

If Christians think someone is a very holy person, knowing that the "prayer of a righteous man availeth much", they will seek them out and ask for their prayers.

That's what Catholics do with Mary - seek her out and ask for her prayers.