Bl. Beatrice of Nazareth

Beatrice was a Cistercian nun in Brabant, in present-day Belgium, from a wealthy family. At seven she went to live with the Beguines, communities of laywomen who lived a life of prayer without taking formal vows. She later joined the Cistercian nuns and became the first prioress of a new convent called Nazareth, near Lier. She died in 1269.

Beatrice is honoured as Blessed by the Cistercians by long-standing local tradition. She has never been formally beatified.

Beatification allows public veneration, usually in a particular region or religious family. Canonization extends it to the whole Church.