“
Catholics pray directly to Mary. They don’t merely ask her to pray for them.”
Let’s see...
Hail, Mary, full of grace
The Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou among sinners,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
PRAY FOR US SINNERS,
Now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Well, that answers that one.
I’m not even a Catholic (though I am catholic) and I sometimes mention Mary in my prayers for others. She is, after all, a close relative to Our Lord.
Who do you think you are kidding? All the prayers to Mary asking her to do specific things for them and dedicating ones life to Mary are online for anyone to see. The "we only ask her to pray for us" meme doesn't work any more.
And example.
My Queen, My Mother, I offer
myself entirely to thee.
And to show my devotion to thee,
I offer thee this day, my eyes,
my ears, my mouth, my heart,
my whole being without reserve.
Wherefore, good Mother, as I am thine own, keep me, guard me as thy property and possession.
Amen.
Another.
We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God;
Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver
us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Amen.
Catholics have given what belongs to God alone to Mary. Trying to deceive to make people think they don't doesn't work any more.