“As i recall, the psychological attraction of Mary had much to do with at least one of the conversions,”
I wonder what the draw of Mariolotry is? I guess human beings have an innate desire of idolatry, though I myself can’t help but to be physically repulsed at the idea of trading in my Protective Savior for a created “Savior” who proposes to save me from the wrath of Christ, as long as I dedicate myself to her immaculate heart, that is.
I believe the draw is first to those who know the Lord after the flesh, not truly having the new birth, and the draw is to a female motherly figure who is more readily accessible and can sympathize with them better, and has unique powers of positive intercession.
However, not only is there zero examples amidst the multitudinous prayers in Scripture of anyone praying to anyone else in Heaven but the Lord, but there is none in the instructions on who to pray to ("our Father who art in Heaven," not "our mothers").
And rather than any insufficiency in accessibility or compassion, or power, Christ is who is supremely declared to be able to have compassion on them that are in need or out of the way, and who ever lives to make intercession for us. "For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted, " "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. " (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15-16) [now to make better use of it!]
And in Him believers have immediate and direct access to the throne of God, having "boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus," (Hebrews 10:19) where they meet with God, not a saint secretary.
Having no examples of praying to the departed , attempts to defend this tradition rely on extrapolations and specious reasoning.