Why isn't it blasphemy to pray to Mary and the saints?

[Zundrah]

If it is written in the Bible that Jesus said, “No one can get to the Father except through me.” Then why do Catholics pray to saints and say things like, “Pray for us, O holy Mother of God”? I’ve been a Methodist for a year now but I love Catholic cathedrals. After buying a rosary bead cross and reading about the rosary prayer I was shocked to read exactly who you were suppose to pray to – Mary, not Jesus. Why, and isn’t it blasphemous to pray to a human being even if dead now? Please tell me, it’s very confusing.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Recommended reading:

• [Mary and the Saints (http://www.catholic.com/library/mary_saints.asp)
• [Any Friend of God’s Is a Friend of Mine (http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1992/9209fea1.asp) by Patrick Madrid