BEATIFICATIONS Meaning and
Definition
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Beatification refers to the process in the Catholic Church by which a deceased person is declared to be worthy of veneration and is granted the title of "Blessed." It is considered a significant step towards canonization, which is the declaration of sainthood. The word "beatification" has its roots in the Latin term "beatus," which means "blessed" or "happy."
In this process, the Church evaluates the life, virtues, and holiness of an individual and determines whether they should be recognized as a role model for the faithful. To initiate the beatification process, an official investigation is carried out, examining the person's life and writings, as well as any reported miracles associated with them. If the findings are deemed satisfactory, the Pope may authorize the individual's beatification.
Once beatified, the individual is entitled to be publicly venerated in specific areas or communities, usually with specific prayers or devotions. They are usually assigned a feast day to honor their memory and are considered intercessors to whom believers can turn for assistance. However, beatification does not allow general liturgical veneration or devotion on a global scale, as it is limited to certain regions or communities.
The beatification process is an important prelude to canonization, but not all blessed individuals progress to become officially recognized saints. Beatifications serve as a means for the Church to acknowledge exemplary individuals whose lives serve as inspirations for others and as reminders of God's grace working through humanity.
Common Misspellings for BEATIFICATIONS
Etymology of BEATIFICATIONS
The word "beatifications" traces its etymology back to the Latin term "beatificātiō", which is the noun form of "beatíficare" meaning "to make blessed" or "to make happy". "Beatíficare" is derived from the Latin words "beātus" meaning "blessed" or "happy", and "facere" meaning "to make" or "to do". Therefore, "beatificātiō" literally translates to "the act of making blessed" or "the act of making happy". In English, "beatificātiō" eventually became "beatification" to describe the act of declaring someone as blessed or happy, particularly in the context of the Roman Catholic Church. The plural form of "beatification" is "beatifications".
