How is it that Catholics are the only people who see Mary in a piece of toast or a pane of glass?

Pareidolia is common

we have our brains 'hardwired' for pattern recognition and facial features are some of the earliest patterns that we use.

catholics see mary

other christians see jesus

'normal' people see these patterns and faces too,

(a recent talk by 'Phil Plait' - the bad astronomer - was about seeing pictures of male and female genitalia in space pictures.... :-) [ honestly - here's the talk on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1vN_TCISwU&feature... ]

we just acknowledge them as an amusing coincidence of lines and shapes.

<<How is it that Catholics are the only people who see Mary in a piece of toast or a pane of glass?>>

Catholic Christians do not harbor any misunderstandings or animosity towards Mary. Perhaps that's why they tend to 'notice' Mary in arbitrary ways much more.

<<Why wouldn't she show herself to all Christians?>>

Remember that animosity?

Even if non-Catholic Christians were apt to notice, they would likely ignore her.

Also, don't make the mistake of assuming every time Mary shows up on a brick or piece of toast. that it's "real" manifestation of her.

<<I mean isn't she a 'semi-deity' in Catholicism?>>

You see?

This is what I am talking about when I said misunderstandings as they pertain to Mary.

No, Mary is not some "semi-deity" to Catholics.

<<My understanding is that she was a HUMAN. Why does she lower herself to being seen in common everyday grocery items?>>

Mary IS human, but 'human' doesn't mean 'unimportant'.

Again - don't make the mistake of assuming every time she arbitrarily shows up somewhere, that it's real.

The other Christians know that Mary is nothing more than the woman who gave birth to Christ, while she was a great woman, you shouldnt give praise, after all she cant protect you, she's dead!!

Is faith the --principle of action-- in all beings?

Or just the beings that don't have all-knowledge?

I saw her in my oatmeal this morning, what are you talking about.