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At 09:35 26/09/98 -0400, you wrote: >Mr. Martin: actually I was using the, I thought, standard distinction >between proskinesis and latria. One venerates many saints; one prays, >surely TO only the lord alone; Whether or not we approve of the practice, medieval Catholics most certainly did pray to saints. Modern Catholics still do so, though perhaps with not the same frequency as before the second Vatican Council. But as to medieval practice, you need look no further than St Anselm's Prayers and Meditations (conveniently translated by Benedicta Ward in Penguin Classics). Anselm has three prayers to the Virgin Mary, one to John the Baptist, one to St Peter, one to St Paul, two to St John the Baptist, one to St Stephen, one to St Nicholas, one to St Benedict, another to St Mary Magdalene. And they are certainly prayers. Cf. the third prayer to Mary: "Mary, great Mary . . . I long to love you with all my heart, I want to praise you with my lips, I desire to venerate you in my understanding, I love to pray to you from my deepest being, I commit myself wholly to your protection . . ." Bill. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%