beatified

Beatified is a declaration by the Catholic Church that a deceased person has entered heaven and can intercede on behalf of the living. It is a recognized step in the process toward sainthood, and a beatified person is given the title Blessed. Beatification permits public veneration of the person, but typically only locally or regionally rather than across the universal Church.

The process generally begins with a local investigation into the person’s life, virtues, and writings. If the findings show heroic virtue, the candidate is titled Venerable. For beatification to proceed, a miracle attributed to the candidate’s intercession after death is usually required, with exceptions for martyrs, whose martyrdom can allow beatification without a verified miracle. The Pope, or a delegate, formally approves beatification, and a ceremony or decree grants the title. A feast day may be established in the region or community that venerates the Blessed.

After beatification, ongoing veneration is typically permitted in local or regional contexts and may be reflected in liturgical celebrations, prayers, and devotional practices. To advance to canonization, a second miracle after beatification is generally required (again with exceptions for martyrs). Canonization grants universal veneration, recognizing the person as a saint for the entire Catholic Church.

Beatification and canonization are practices of the Catholic Church and are distinct from procedures in other Christian traditions, which may honor exemplary individuals but do not use the same formal process or titles.