It is necessary to discuss the framework behind Catholic theology and Protestant theology. I bring this up because the main debate about the importance of Mary seems to lie between Catholics and Protestants. This is in no way a condemnation of Protestantism. I love my Protestant brothers and sisters. However, I believe this distinction between Catholic and Protestant theology is very important not only for discussions about Mary but for much of Catholic doctrine.
Catholic theology is based on the participation principle whereas Protestant theology is based on the zero-sum principle. The zero-sum framework is like this: you have a whole pie and that whole pie goes to Jesus. He is our Redeemer and Savior. He is the King of kings. In this framework, Protestants view Catholics as cutting up the pie: let’s say Mary gets 40%, the pope gets 30%, priests get 10%, and somewhere along the line Jesus gets some of the pie. Jesus is skewed in this view. I believe this is why Protestants take issue with the Saints, Catholic devotion to Mary, confession, the pope, and many other things.
Catholic’s do not agree with the zero-sum paradigm. Catholic’s believe the “pie” is not getting carved up because there is no pie. There is no limit. Nothing can be taken away from God. For example, a man and a woman have a child. The child does not take away from the love of the parents. The child magnifies the love between the parents. The man and woman have another child. Now there is love between the siblings. The love is not diminished. Human relationships are based on the Trinity. All three Persons of the Trinity are equally God. As Catholics, we want the Catholic Church to grow. Every Easter, we welcome new members into the Catholic Church. The Church does not get weaker. The Church gets stronger. New members do not take anything away from the Church.
In Luke’s Gospel, Mary says “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior” (Luke 1:46-47 RSVCE). Mary does not take away from Christ. Coming to know Mary magnifies our love for Christ. As Dr. Taylor Marshall, a former Protestant, says, “the more things that are involved in participating in Christ, the more the love, mercy, and grace of Christ is magnified” (Dr. Marshall, source linked below).
Dr. Marshall goes on to say that “Christ entered the world through the Blessed Virgin Mary’s womb” (Dr. Marshall, link below). Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, entered into space and time through Mary.
This is by no means a sufficient explanation for Catholic devotion to Mary. I wanted to provide you with a framework to help you better understand why Catholic devotion to Mary is not worship and is not idolatry. I encourage you to research more on the topic of Catholic devotion to Mary and as always I will provide some helpful links to get you started.
Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but, in your mercy, hear and answer me.
Amen.
Dr. Marshall’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsLEAOat9vo
Helpful links for better understanding Catholic devotion to Mary:
Catholicism Rekindled 
Of our their claims, the one I really don’t get is why the Protestants think that the Pope subtracts from the Redemption of Christ. Thanks for the great post. “Thus as no man goeth to the Father but by the Son, so also no man goeth to Christ but by His Mother,” said Pope Leo XIII. She was the gate by whom Christ came to us and now she is the gate by whom we may come to Him.
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