beatifikaation

Beatifikaation, or beatification, is a declaration by the Catholic Church that a deceased person lived a holy life or was martyred and is now blessed and worthy of public veneration. It is the first formal step in the process toward sainthood (canonization). A beatified person is given the title Blessed and may be venerated publicly, but typically only in specific regions or by particular groups rather than by the entire church.

Process and criteria. The cause usually begins at the local level, with the diocesan investigation of the candidate’s life and deeds, after which the person is called a Servant of God. If the evidence is persuasive, the case is sent to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints. If heroic virtue or martyrdom is affirmed, the person is declared Venerable. For non-martyrs, beatification requires a verified miracle attributed to the candidate’s intercession; martyrs require no miracle. Beatification is then proclaimed by the Pope or a delegated official, after which the Blessed may be venerated in approved contexts and a liturgical feast may be assigned.

Relation to canonization. Beatification is a step on the path to canonization, which would authorize veneration by the universal Church. In most cases, one additional miracle attributed to the Blessed’s intercession is required after beatification to proceed to sainthood, though there are exceptions for martyrs or other special cases.

Historical context. The modern beatification process was formalized with the establishment of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in 1588, and procedures have evolved to emphasize examination of life, virtues, and miracles rather than popular acclaim alone.

Notes. The term is principally used within the Roman Catholic tradition. Other Christian communities use different terms for recognizing sanctity; Eastern traditions, for example, refer to “glorification.”