The word "beatified" is spelled b-i-ˈa-tə-ˌfīd, with the primary stress on the second syllable. The letter combination "ea" is pronounced as /i/, representing what is known as the "long e" sound in English. The word derives from the Latin "beatificare," meaning "to make blessed," and is often used in the context of religious figures who have been declared blessed by the Catholic Church. Beatification is the second step in the canonization process towards sainthood.
The term "beatified" is an adjective that describes the act or state of being officially recognized and declared as blessed or a recipient of divine grace by the Catholic Church. It is commonly used in religious contexts, specifically in relation to the process of beatification, which is a preliminary stage to sainthood. Beatification is a significant step towards canonization, where an individual is officially declared a saint.
To be beatified, a person must undergo a thorough investigation into their life, virtues, and the presence of miracles attributed to their intercession. The Catholic Church evaluates their life, looking for evidence of exemplary holiness, selflessness, and devotion to God. If their life and actions meet the Church's strict criteria, the individual can be declared "blessed" and is given the title of "Blessed" before their name.
Being beatified holds great significance within the Catholic faith as it means that the individual is now worthy of veneration and intercession. However, this recognition does not authorize public worship, as it is reserved for those who have achieved full sainthood through the process of canonization.
In summary, "beatified" refers to the act of officially recognizing an individual as blessed by the Catholic Church due to their exceptional holiness and virtues. It is an intermediate step towards sainthood and grants them the title "Blessed" before their name.
The word "beatified" can be traced back to the Latin term "beatus", which translates to "blessed" or "happy". This term is derived from the verb "beare", meaning "to bless". In Christian theology, the process of beatification involves declaring someone blessed or recognizing their elevated spiritual status. Therefore, "beatified" refers to the state of being blessed or the act of conferring such a status.