[mlizzy]

But since thou hast been pleased to suffer so much for me, ah, by thy merits, obtain me great sorrow for my sins,

If this isn't blasphemy, the word has no meaning.

Keep in mind the prayer says "obtain me." That means through her Son. And via The Seven Dolors of Mary (and The Passion of the Christ was a great view in this regard also) one can see the horrendous suffering Mary went through along with her Son, Jesus. Would you, fwdude, rather be scourged at the pillar, carry a huge cross for a significant trek, where you are nailed upon the cross and die a most painful death, or would you rather watch at the foot of the cross, as this all happened to your son, bearing in mind in Mary's case, the Son was the Son of God? Both suffered.

And in regard to your comment on the images of Mary and Jesus, it would be very difficult to paint a big Jesus and a small Mary. You have to do things in the proper sequence of time, otherwise, they make no sense. Mary does not overshadow her Son, but leads people to her beautiful Baby, the Christ Child, and then the grown and Crucified Christ.

[D-fendr]

It’s a minimalist thing, IMHO, that we see in much of Protestantism. The bare minimum.

We here, “why do you need...” as an example.

We see minimalist church buildings, to me sterile, rather than the richness of what God has provided for us.

Lutherans and Anglicans, not nearly so much, but other Protestants, yes.

[fwdude]

I would have a LOT more respect for most Catholics if they would cease with the patently false assertion that they merely ask Mary to pray for them. They do so much more than ask her for her prayers, they ask her to DO: protect, grant, give, bestow.

Will you give me the opportunity to respect a Roman Catholic more by stopping with the silly lie that you just want her to pray for you?

[Iscool]

Mary does not overshadow her Son,

HuH??? Look at the picture where they are both standing...Mary's a few inches taller than the little grown up Jesus...

Jesus must be about 5 foot 2 to Catholics...

[HossB86]

Keep in mind the prayer says "obtain me." That means through her Son.

Do you believe Christ? Do you believe He speaks truth? Do you believe He is God the Son? Then hear HIS words:

John 6:44:

44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."

So please explain -- how does Mary fit in this??? When Christ says, "No one," the statement leaves no exceptions! "Unless the Father...draws him."....Again -- is Mary The Father? Of course not.

Those who come to Christ are drawn BY THE FATHER. To claim Mary has any role in this is to deny Christ's words -- His TRUTH -- and to elevate Mary to a co-equal status with The Father. This is idolatry. And blashphemy.

So... which is it? What Christ teaches, or what the Roman Catholic Church teaches? It must be one or the other!

Hoss