Remember Your Death: Memento Mori Journal

by Theresa Aletheia Noble

Need help managing the chaos of this world and living for heaven? The ancient practice of remembering death can invigorate your spiritual life! When Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP, began keeping a ceramic skull on her desk and tweeting about it, she had no idea she'd be starting a movement. Her daily tweets about memento mori-- Latin for remember your death--contained quotes and insights that have inspired others to remember death daily. Many have found that this ancient practice provides an important perspective on their lives in view of Jesus' call to repentance, conversion, and the hope of resurrection.

272 pages, Hardcover

Published November 2, 2018

About the author

Sr. Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP is a former atheist who, thanks to the grace of God, has returned to the faith she was raised in and now tries to help others bring their loved ones back to the faith. A few years after returning to the Church, she heard God calling her, so she left her job in Silicon Valley to join the Daughters of St. Paul. She now lives in Miami, where she prays, evangelizes, bakes bread, and blogs.

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have previously reviewed ‘Remember Your Death Memento Mori: A Lenten Devotional’ and now it is time to review the companion volume, the ‘Remember Your Death: Memento Mori Journal’. This book is designed so that it can be used in several ways. It can be used as a workbook during lent with the Lenten Devotional. It can be uses for keeping a record of your daily Examen. Or just as a spiritual journal. The sections of this book are:

Introduction
How to Use This Journal
247 Journal Pages
Memento Mori Prayers
Short Memento Mori Aspirations
Prayer for a Holy Death
Hail Mary
Te Deum
Prayer to Jesus Life
Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving
Anima Christie
Ancient Prayer to the Virgin Mary
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
Prayer to Saint Joseph for a Happy Death
Prayer to the God of Truth
Prayer to Our Mother of Mercy
Prayer to Jesus, Fountain of Living Water
Prayer for a Good Death
Eternal Rest Prayer for the Deceased
Prayer for the Faithful Departed
In Paradisum
Prayer for Departed Relatives and friends
Prayer for God’s Mercy
Prayer for the Dying
Acknowledgements

The 247 Journal pages each have quote at the top of the page. Some are by the author, some contributed but unattributed, many from the bible and the saints, popes and even one from Dietrich Bonhoeffer. few are taken from literature, for example William Shakespeare, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Oscar Wilde, and Blaise Pascal.

The introduction reminds us that “Remembering one’s death is an absolutely essential aspect of the Christian life, not only because it helps us to live well, but also because it helps us to remember what Christ has done for us. Jesus trampled death!” The section on how to use this journal outlines four ways it can be used other than just as a journal. How to use it to journal with intention or a plan.

This is a beautifully crafted hard cover journal. And when you combine the quality of the construction with the ways to use it, and the quotes to inspire thoughtful reflection it becomes even more of a treasure. I am sure anyone blessed with a copy of this journal who uses it will be blessed.

My only wish is that an eBook edition would be released for those of us prefer an electronic library and who keep electronic journals. I feel I will be transcribing the quotes from the book to my eJournal as lent proceeds this year. But even with that personal wish, I cannot think of a single reason not to recommend this volume. Especially if you will use it in conjunction with the Lenten Devotional.

An excellent toot for helping you to grow in your faith. It will help you remember your death; and live better now while doing so.

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2019 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Riley Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Journaling helps with stress and jog the memory.

I used this as a journaling prompt from Sister Theresa's Remember Your Death: Lenten Devotional. I will continue to use this journal as I reflect on my own death and the death of others. Thank you for this useful and transformative tool.

May God bless you and your loved ones, and may we be friends in heaven together.