Beatifications

Refers to the penultimate stage in the formal process that leads to the canonization of a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. At this stage, the pope grants the title 'Blessed' to a Roman Catholic of exemplary faith and life who is considered worthy of public veneration after his or her death. After this stage, such a person can be locally honored. If there is evidence of two miracles then the canonization can proceed, leading to the person becoming a universally recognized saint.