among papists, an act by which the pope declares a person beatified, or blessed after death.

This is the first step towards canonization, and differs from it; because in the former, the pope does not act as a judge, determining the state of the beatified, but only gives a privilege to certain persons to honour him by a particular religious worship, without incurring the penalty of superstitious worship; whereas in canonization, the pope speaks like a judge, and determines upon the state of the canonized.

No person can be beatified till fifty years after death. All certificates or attestations of virtues and miracles are examined before the congregation of rites: The examination continues for several years, after which his holiness decrees the beatification. The corpse and relics of the future saint are thenceforth exposed to the veneration of every body; his images are crowned with rays, and a particular office is set apart for him.