Invocation

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

a judicial call, demand, or order; as, the invocation of papers into court. The au- INVOCATION OF SAINTS. thoritative statement of Roman doctrine on this subject is found in a decree of the Council of Trent (sess. 25, held Dec. 3 and 4, 1563), which ordains that "all bishops and others having the duty of teaching" should instruct the faithful: "That the saints reigning with Christ offer their prayers to God for men; that it is good and useful to invoke them, and to have recourse to their prayers, succor, and assistance to obtain benefits from God through His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, who alone is our Redeemer and Saviour." Here two propositions are laid down in the plainest possible manner: (1) That the saints do intercede for men; (2) the utility of asking such intercession. Theologians allege Scripture and tradition in support of the doctrine and practice (see Jer. xv: i; Luke xv: 7; Rev v: 8, vi: 9-11, viii: 3). Inscriptions in the Catacombs show that the practice was common in the Early Church, and mention of it is made by St. Gregory between the ecclesiastical and the civil Nazianzen, St. Basil, St. Gregory Nyssen, St. Ambrose and St. Augustine. The deand indeed from that of all Church func-votion of the Church is chiefly toward the saints who died after Christ. To the Maccabees alone is a feast celebrated in the whole Latin Church. Anglican Theology. - There were very many reasons why, when the "Articles of Religion" were "ratified and confirmed," the separation between the Reformed and Roman Churches should be made as marked as possible, and the 22d of the Thirty-nine Articles strongly condemns the invocation of saints. The practice, as a private devotion, was known in Caroline days, and lingers, in a debased form, in country districts, in the rhyme: "Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Guard the bed that I lie on," etc. With the Oxford Movement the doctrine of the Invocation of Saints came to the front.