Beati

/beɪˈɑːti/ noun

Definition

In the Catholic Church, plural of 'beatus'; men who are blessed or beatified, on the path toward sainthood.

Etymology

Latin masculine plural of 'beatus' (blessed, from 'beare' meaning 'to make happy'), used in ecclesiastical contexts to refer to groups of blessed individuals.

Kelly Says

The Church maintains both 'beata' (blessed women) and 'beati' (blessed men) as gendered categories—these formal distinctions show how institutional language preserves grammatical gender even when everyday English has largely abandoned it.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Latin masculine plural form of 'beatus' (blessed). Ecclesiastical convention uses masculine plurals to include women, exemplifying historical grammatical subordination of women under masculine categories.

Inclusive Usage

When citing blessed or beatified persons of mixed gender, use 'beatified persons' or, if retaining Latin, specify 'beati et beatae' to linguistically include women.

Inclusive Alternatives

["beatified persons","blessed community","blessed ones"]

Empowerment Note

The masculine plural 'beati' historically subsumed women saints' identities; modern citation practices should restore visibility to female saints as distinct contributors to religious tradition.

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