Is strong devotion to Mary ok?

[HelloImJohn]

I have always found myself very attached to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since I was young to now. I find myself always praying to her for intercessions and help. I even made a portrait of her at the foot of the cross for an art project on the crucifixion (I attend a catholic senior high school) and during that time I found myself very interested in her life and her meaning in the catholic faith. I do have friends who are protestants (who for some reason are allowed to attend a catholic school) who since then have tried to convince me that I am wasting my breath. And that I am simply praying to someone who cannot hear me. Surely, I ignore this, but I was wondering…

If I love and trust in Jesus as my lord and Savior, and extremely love God- is it a sin, or am I ‘ignoring’ Jesus and God if I pray mainly to Mary (so I do regularly pray to Jesus and God, but find myself praying to the BVM more regularly)?

I always feel so much more comforted and relaxed when I pray to her. I hope to God that I don’t get more confused, but I really would like to know.

Thank you, GodBless.

 

[Devon_Caffran]

These links should give you the answers that you need. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by this, please [contact Catholic Answers (http://www.catholic.com/home/contact.asp) directly.
**Recommended Reading:
**

• Immaculate Conception and Assumption
• Mary: Ever Virgin (Fathers*)
• Mary: Full of Grace (Fathers*)
• Mary: Mother of God (Fathers*)
• The Rosary
• The Intercession of the Saints (Fathers*)
• Praying to the Saints
• Saint Worship?
• ‘Brethren of the Lord’
• [: Part I (This Rock: August 1992)CRI’s**Mary (http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1992/9208fea.asp)
• [: Part II (This Rock: September 1992)CRI’s**Mary (http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1992/9209fea2.asp)
• [: Part III (This Rock: October 1992)CRI’s**Mary (http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1992/9210fea2.asp)
• [: Part IV (This Rock: November 1992)CRI’s**Mary (http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1992/9211fea3.asp)
• [: Part V (This Rock: December 1992)CRI’s**Mary (http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1992/9212fea2.asp)
• [: Part VI (This Rock: January 1993)CRI’s**Mary (http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1993/9301fea3.asp)
• [: Part VII (This Rock: February 1993)CRI’s**Mary (http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1993/9302fea2.asp)