you don’t pray to Mary- you ask for her intercession and ask she pray for you:
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.”
Look up the definition of the word “prayer.”
Aren't we in pursuit of our creator...our Lord.
Religious men slide into the path because there is power (and wealth) there.
Can't blame them...that's the way the world works.