fill with sublime emotion; tickle pink (exhilarate is obsolete in this usage); "The children were thrilled at the prospect of going to the movies"; "He was inebriated by his phenomenal success"
declare (a dead person) to be blessed; the first step of achieving sainthood; "On Sunday, the martyr will be beatified by the Vatican" make blessedly happy
To ascertain and declare, by a public process and decree, that a deceased person is one of "the blessed,"
When the Catholic church beatifies someone who is dead, it declares officially that they were a holy person, usually as the first step towards making them a saint. In May, Pope John Paul is to beatify Gianna Beretta. + beatification be·ati·fi·ca·tion Thousands attended the beatification of Juan Diego. if the Roman Catholic church beatifies someone who has died, it says officially that they are a holy or special person (béatifier, from beatificare, from beatus; BEATIFIC)
To pronounce or regard as happy, or supremely blessed, or as conferring happiness
To ascertain and declare, by a public process and decree, that a deceased person is one of "the blessed," and is to be reverenced as such, though not canonized