Why pray to Mary when it's Jesus who heals?

This question was posed to me today by a fairly agitated young woman who seemed bent on wanting to pick a fight. I had pulled my rosary out of my pocket while retrieving some change and she noticed it and said "Is that a rosary? Why do Catholics INSIST on praying more to Mary than to God or Jesus?" Being we were in a public place, I thought it a good opportunity to express my response very politely, yet forcefully, so that all those listening in would know exactly what I said.

After giving her the "Catholics aren't praying TO Mary so much as we pray THROUGH Mary to get our petition before Jesus" and seeing she wasn't going to even try to understand my reponse, I tried an old Fr. Corapi-ism on her. I told her "You pray directly to Jesus and I'll pray to him while seeking the intercession of His Blessed Mother Mary. We'll wait and see who gets to heaven first." The young woman was speechless.

This abrupt end to our exchange prompted an older woman in the next check-out line to begin laughing almost uncontrollably. Not wanting to make the younger woman feel any more discomfort, the older woman chimed in "That reminds me of a joke. Jesus was giving his annual tour of heaven when he ran across St. Peter and he said "Peter, what's up with all of these extra souls we seem to have around? Are you certain they all belong HERE?" To which St. Peter replied "Well, Jesus, maybe you should talk to your MOTHER about it." Jesus stammered, "MY mother!? What would SHE have to do with it?" St. Peter responded "Hey, I turn them away at the front gate, but they go around to the side door and SHE lets them in."

Everyone laughed and the young woman acknowledged that she had a lot of reconsidering to do. She understands now.

Chalk up another one for the good guys...and try to keep a sense of humor when someone wants to attack your beliefs. It's only going to get worse with all of the media attacks against Catholics going on today.