The Rise of Marian Devotion and Theology Among Catholics

In many places where there is ancient goddess worship, we'll see Marian devotion as especially popular. It would also become totemic amongst Catholics and help them stand out in new places. A lot of official Catholic, Marian dogma comes from the so-called Marian century. And then coming into North America and the United States, a rosary or crossing yourself was an important way to keep your identity amidst the den of competing Christian traditions.