Memento Mori

This is a photo illustration depicting memento mori, a reminder of one's death. The Lenten devotional was designed by Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble to help others meditate on the moments of their lives and ultimately remember Christians hope in the Resurrection -- made possible through Christ's victory over sin and death. (CNS illustration/Lisa Johnston, St. Louis Review)

Practice of memento mori -- considering one's death -- revived for Lent: ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- We have one life. What are we doing with it? Are we remembering our death? To some it sounds strange, but that's what a Daughter of St. Paul is doing through her revival of an ancient practice called Memento Mori--remember one's inevitable death.  Everyone's.  Your own.



Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble's new book, "Remember Your Death: Memento Mori," was released by the daughters of St. Paul in January.  It's now in its second printing.  That's why medieval monks kept human skulls on their desks.  It was and is a constant reminder that you are going to meet your maker soon.



There was a poster making the round on Facebook recently, that said on the top: "Go ahead.  You only live once."



On the bottom, it said: "Wrong.  You live every day.  You only die once."