The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Beatification \Be*at`i*fi*ca"tion\
   (b[-e]*[a^]t`[i^]*f[i^]*k[=a]"sh[u^]n), n. [Cf. F.
   b['e]atification.]
   The act of beatifying, or the state of being beatified; esp.,
   in the R. C. Church, the act or process of ascertaining and
   declaring that a deceased person is one of "the blessed," or
   has attained the second degree of sanctity, -- usually a
   stage in the process of canonization. "The beatification of
   his spirit." --Jer. Taylor.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

beatification
    n 1: a state of supreme happiness [syn: blessedness,
         beatitude, beatification]
    2: the action of rendering supremely blessed and extremely happy
    3: (Roman Catholic Church) an act of the Pope who declares that
       a deceased person lived a holy life and is worthy of public
       veneration; a first step toward canonization