suturegeisha
Courtier
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2004
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- Fort Mill
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From the Catholic Forums:gaggleofcrazypeople said:
"(Latin: beatus, blessed; facere, to make) The declaration by the pope as head of the Church that one of its members deserves for saintly life as confessor or heroic death as martyr, to be entitled Blessed, that is, regarded as dwelling in the happiness of heaven. The declaration is preceded by a double process, the first consisting of an examination into the life, virtues, writings, and reputation for holiness, or martyrdom, of the Servant of God in question, conducted ordinarily by the bishop of the place in which he or she died or lived a long time. In the case of a martyr no miracles are required in this first process, but they are required for others. The second process, known as the Apostolic process, is instituted by the Holy See in case the first inquiry shows that there is a likelihood of proving that the Servant of God practised virtue to an heroic degree, or died by the heroic death of martyrdom. To go further and obtain canonization, miracles are required for both martyrs and confessors."
In other words, beatification is the last step before being made a Saint. To become a Saint, which is to be cannonized, one must perform a miracle.
-Kara-
. My teacher had to practically beat that into my head [along with the Apostle's prayer] when I was in catechism.
