Beatification

Beatification, an inferior degree of canonisation introduced in the 12th century, is a solemn act in the Catholic Church, by which the pope, after scrutinising the virtues and miracles of a deceased person, pronounces him to be among the blessed. After this his cultus is authorised, not universally as in canonisation, but in some district or order of the church. Beatification is generally a step towards Canonisation (q.v.).