The word "beatifying" is spelled with the letter "i" after the letter "f" because it follows the common spelling rule called "i before e except after c." The phonetic transcription is /ˈbiːətɪfaɪɪŋ/, which shows the stress on the second syllable and the long "e" sound in the second and fourth syllables. Beatifying means to make someone or something holy or saintly in a religious context, typically through a formal process of canonization.
Beatifying is a verb that originates from the term "beatify," which is derived from the Latin word "beatus," meaning blessed or happy. It refers to the act of bestowing the title of "Blessed" upon an individual by the Catholic Church as part of the process of canonization. This process is an essential step towards officially recognizing a deceased person's sainthood.
Beatifying typically occurs after a thorough investigation of the person's life, virtues, and any potential miracles attributed to their intercession. The investigation begins at the diocesan level, where evidence is gathered and scrutinized. If the evidence is found to be substantial and convincing, it is then presented to the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints, who evaluates the information and makes a decision.
Once the candidate is declared "Blessed," they are honored with veneration in specific regions or religious communities. They may have feast days dedicated to them, and their life and teachings are held up as examples of profound holiness and humility. Despite this recognition, beatifying does not grant the individual universal veneration; they are not included in the general liturgical calendar, nor are churches dedicated to them on a wide scale.
In conclusion, beatifying refers to the formal process by which the Catholic Church declares an individual as "Blessed" and recognizes their holiness, usually based on evidence of their virtuous life and any potential miracles.
The word "beatifying" is derived from the verb "beatify", which can be traced back to the Latin word "beātificāre". In Latin, "beātificāre" is a combination of "beātus" meaning "blessed" and "facere" meaning "to make". Therefore, "beatify" originally meant "to make blessed". In Christian theology, beatification refers to the declaration, by the Pope, of a deceased person's entrance into heaven and their ability to intercede on behalf of individuals.