Beatification facts for kids

Pope John Paul II beatified more people than many popes before him combined.

Beatification is a special step in the Catholic Church where a person who has died is recognized as being in Heaven. It also means the Church believes this person can help people who pray to them. When someone is beatified, they are given the title "Blessed." This is the third of four main steps in the process of becoming a saint.

What is Beatification?

Beatification comes from the Latin word beatus, which means "blessed." It's a way for the Catholic Church to honor people who lived very holy lives. It shows that the Church believes these individuals are now in Heaven.

The Path to Sainthood

Becoming a saint in the Catholic Church is a long process. Beatification is a very important step along this path. Here are the main stages:

• Servant of God: This is the first step. It happens when a bishop starts an investigation into a person's life after they die. They look for signs of holiness.
• Venerable: If the investigation shows the person lived a life of heroic virtue, they are called "Venerable." This means they were very good and faithful.
• Blessed (Beatification): For someone to be beatified, a miracle usually needs to happen through their prayers after they have died. This miracle must be carefully checked by doctors and Church officials.
• Saint (Canonization): To become a full saint, another miracle is usually needed after beatification. Once this second miracle is confirmed, the person can be canonized.

Why Beatification Matters

Beatification is important for several reasons:

• It honors people who lived lives that inspire others.
• It gives people a "Blessed" person to pray to for help.
• It helps the Church decide who should be recognized as a saint.
• It celebrates faith and good deeds.

Famous Examples of Beatification

Many well-known people have been beatified. For example, Pope John Paul II beatified more people than many popes before him put together. He himself was beatified in 2011, just six years after his death. Another example is Pope Pius IX, who was beatified in the year 2000. These events are big celebrations for Catholics around the world.

Images for kids

• 

  Pope Pius IX (1792–1878), who was beatified on September 3, 2000, by Pope John Paul II

• 

  Pope John Paul II beatified more people than all his predecessors had during the previous 400 years, and was himself beatified six years after his death, on Divine Mercy Sunday 2011.

See also

In Spanish: Beatificación para niños