beatification: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Technical (Religious)
Quick answer
What does “beatification” mean?
In Roman Catholic Church doctrine, the declaration by the Pope that a deceased person is in a state of heavenly blessedness and worthy of limited public veneration, considered the first major step toward sainthood.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In Roman Catholic Church doctrine, the declaration by the Pope that a deceased person is in a state of heavenly blessedness and worthy of limited public veneration, considered the first major step toward sainthood.
The act of making someone blissfully happy; the state of being supremely blessed or exalted, though often used figuratively beyond the religious context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is tied to the international institution of the Catholic Church.
Connotations
Connotes formal religious ceremony, sanctity, and official papal decree in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, appearing primarily in religious or historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “beatification” in a Sentence
[subject] + undergo + beatification[subject] + announce/approve + the beatification + of + [person]the beatification + of + [person] + took place + [time/location]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “beatification” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Vatican will beatify the martyred priest next year.
- She was beatified in a ceremony at Westminster Cathedral.
American English
- Pope John Paul II beatified Mother Teresa in 2003.
- The diocese is pushing to beatify its founder.
adverb
British English
- The event proceeded beatifically without incident. (Note: from 'beatific', not directly from 'beatification')
American English
- He smiled beatifically upon hearing the news. (Note: from 'beatific')
adjective
British English
- The beatification ceremony was solemn and moving.
- He is now referred to with the beatific title 'Blessed'.
American English
- The beatification Mass drew pilgrims from around the world.
- She studied the beatification process for her thesis.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Potentially hyperbolic: 'The CEO's new policy was treated like a beatification by the board.'
Academic
Used in religious studies, history, and theology papers discussing Catholic saints and procedures.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used humorously or hyperbolically: 'Mum's beatification of her new grandson is complete.'
Technical
Standard term in Catholic canon law and theology for the specific ecclesiastical act.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “beatification”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “beatification”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “beatification”
- Using it as a general synonym for 'making happy'.
- Confusing 'beatification' (step one) with 'canonization' (step two, full sainthood).
- Misspelling as 'beatif*ic*ation' (correct is 'beatif*i*cation').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Beatification is the first step, permitting local or limited veneration and conferring the title 'Blessed'. Canonization is the final step, declaring the person a universal saint of the Church.
Yes, but it is a literary or hyperbolic extension. It means to make someone seem supremely happy or to treat them with near-saintly reverence (e.g., 'the media's beatification of the celebrity').
Only the Pope, acting on the recommendation of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, has the authority to beatify someone.
Typically, a candidate must have lived a life of heroic virtue (or be a martyr), and one miracle (occurring after their death and attributed to their intercession) must be verified by the Church.
In Roman Catholic Church doctrine, the declaration by the Pope that a deceased person is in a state of heavenly blessedness and worthy of limited public veneration, considered the first major step toward sainthood.
Beatification is usually formal / technical (religious) in register.
Beatification: in British English it is pronounced /biːˌætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /biˌædəfəˈkeɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on the road to beatification (figurative: being idealized)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'be-AT-fy' a person. To make them 'AT' a state of blessedness. It happens in the Vatican, which has a BEAt.
Conceptual Metaphor
SACREDNESS IS ELEVATION / HAPPINESS IS BLESSEDNESS
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative, non-religious sense, what might 'beatification' imply?