invocation

The etymology of invocation takes us to the Latin word advocacy. The concept is used to name the protection, the guard and the defending of a people or an entity by a holy or a divinity.

The idea of invocation is also used to name the celebration which is carried out in homage to a religious figure. This commemorative intention can also be expressed through an entity that takes the name of the divinity in question.

It is common for a city or a nation have a protective virgin or a patron saint. Said invocation is due to the intention of obtaining protection from the religious entity.

The notion of invocation, on the other hand, is used with reference to a particular period the existence of the divine individual or the exact moment in which it made its appearance in a certain place. By extension, we speak of an invocation regarding the images of divinity and the particular days in which it is surrendered. tribute.

It is important to know, in addition to all the above, that we come across the fact that there is also what is called a Marian invocation. This term is used to refer to all kinds of attributes, characteristics, gifts or even appearances that have to do with the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Specifically, we can determine that two fundamental types of Marian invocations are being established:
-The earthly ones, which refer to the appearances that the Virgin is considered to have made on Earth. Apparitions that precisely then lead to the construction and setting up of sanctuaries, chapels and churches in his honor. Thus, for example, we come across the fact that there are temples for this reason such as Covadonga, in the town of the same name; that of Pilar, in Zaragoza, or that of Veracruz, in Mexico, for example.
-The mystical Marian invocations. In this case, they refer to supernatural phenomena or mysteries and acts that revolve around the aforementioned figure.

Precisely all the above is what has given rise to the existence of a long list of names for women that use Maria as the first noun. Examples are María Dolores, María del Carmen, María de Lourdes, María de las Mercedes ... These names that are based in turn on invocations of the Virgin must be established that they start from the idea of ​​naming the mother of Jesus simply in another way .

In ancient times, finally, invocation was used as a synonym for advocacy. From this meaning, the invocation is associated with the protection wave guardianship: "The project is carried out with the dedication of the Higher Council of the Arts", "Without the dedication of the technical secretary, this project will not prosper."