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Living Memento Mori: My Journey through the Stations of the Cross
Emily DeArdo knows what it’s like to live with a keen awareness of her own mortality. She was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age eleven.
DeArdo draws on the medieval Christian practice of memento mori (remember you must die) and shares her personal story with unique and compelling insight into the meaning of Christian life and death. Using the Stations of the Cross to frame her explorations, DeArdo leads us to trust in God’s providence as we confront suffering and death, develop enduring spiritual strength, and courage along the way.
DeArdo draws on the medieval Christian practice of memento mori (remember you must die) and shares her personal story with unique and compelling insight into the meaning of Christian life and death. Using the Stations of the Cross to frame her explorations, DeArdo leads us to trust in God’s providence as we confront suffering and death, develop enduring spiritual strength, and courage along the way.
128 pages, Paperback
Published January 24, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 26, 2020
FINALLY! A book about suffering as an integral part of the Christian life that is relatable, authentic, and uplifting! The author's personal experience growing up with cystic fibrosis which eventually led to a lung transplant, hearing loss, and the death of many of her dreams gave her tremendous insight into the Christian life - insight that's completely counter to our society's aversion to pain and suffering. Her perspective is refreshingly honest about struggle while remaining positive.
Although both are healthy, I have a two children with disabilities so the experience of struggle and pain is familiar to our family - I could relate to so much of what the author describes about growing up "different" and the "little deaths" of dreams. On another level, however, she opened my eyes to what it is like to be the one who is different, which is an aspect of their lives that parents of kids with special needs miss, and also to what it is like to truly live with our own death in view.
I flew through the book in a single sitting, but it would be a great resource for a small group study or taken one chapter at a time, accompanied by some journaling to process each chapter (or, to be honest, both!). I enjoyed it so much that I have already purchased two copies to send to others I believe would benefit from the book - including one who is not Catholic - because the themes in the book are applicable to any Christian, not just those who are familiar with the Stations of the Cross.
Although both are healthy, I have a two children with disabilities so the experience of struggle and pain is familiar to our family - I could relate to so much of what the author describes about growing up "different" and the "little deaths" of dreams. On another level, however, she opened my eyes to what it is like to be the one who is different, which is an aspect of their lives that parents of kids with special needs miss, and also to what it is like to truly live with our own death in view.
I flew through the book in a single sitting, but it would be a great resource for a small group study or taken one chapter at a time, accompanied by some journaling to process each chapter (or, to be honest, both!). I enjoyed it so much that I have already purchased two copies to send to others I believe would benefit from the book - including one who is not Catholic - because the themes in the book are applicable to any Christian, not just those who are familiar with the Stations of the Cross.
May 4, 2020
It’s a sad fact that, for most of us, the Stations of the Cross are relegated to those Fridays between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday.
And why is that?
I’d say it’s habit.
Maybe it’s because we have so many devotions to choose from. There’s no shortage: the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Liturgy of the Hours, various and sundry consecrations, daily Mass, lectio divina, and the list goes on. And on. And on.
And because of the richness of the many devotions we have to select from, it’s handy to have a guideline, a time, a relevancy that pairs the devotion with the liturgical time of year.
Knowing that, I’d invite you to step outside your comfort zone and walk through the Stations using Living Memento Mori, by Emily DeArdo.
DeArdo has paired the Stations with memento mori, a Latin phrase that reminds us remember our death, one popularized by Daughter of St. Paul Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble over the last couple of years. In fact, Sr. Theresa Aletheia penned, in the foreword, that DeArdo “imparts valuable lessons she has learned while suffering with Jesus by her side.”
Which is exactly what made this not like any other Stations of the Cross devotional I’ve ever used, read, or seen. In fact, I was halfway through before it sunk in that each chapter represented one of the Stations. (I facepalmed pretty hard, because it should have been obvious—DeArdo clearly outlines that in the introduction. And yet, it wasn’t shoved into my face as I was reading. And that made it even more powerful somehow.
It reminded me of a whiskey my brother-in-law shared with us recently. We loved it. But we couldn’t say why. It just tasted right, in ways we didn’t have vocabulary or experience to articulate. When he visited us a few months later, we talked about this whiskey, and I remembered that he had mentioned some of the same things in an earlier discussion, talking about smoothness and how the barrels were stacked and other details.
But until we had the experience, the conversation about all these nuts and bolts about whiskey didn’t have any meaning to us.
Which brings me back to DeArdo’s intermixing of memento mori and the Stations of the Cross: After my first pass through the book, reading it slowly and reflectively (only a few chapters at a time, instead of whipping through it, as I am so often tempted to do with books I enjoy), I noticed many fine things. But, when it struck me that her insights weren’t just nice—they were directly related to the Stations and to Jesus’ suffering and to the impending death we all face—it was with that same sort of ah-ha that I experienced when I (re)learned about the details of that whiskey we loved.
The Stations are a devotion you may or may not be comfortable with. You may or may not be an old hand at praying them.
And maybe death is something you are a-OK with reflecting on.
I’d love to hear how you walk away from journeying through this book. I suspect it will be the difference between my enjoyment of fine whiskey for the tastes that I have no names for and my brother-in-law’s insightful and expert unpacking of the layers textures included.
That doesn’t mean you should avoid this book if, like me, you are a bit of a beginner when it comes to the Stations and, for that matter, memento mori.
Emily DeArdo has lived the Stations, to some extent. She has had death staring at her for much of her life.
And yet, she’s laughing, and living, and struggling—same as you and me.
What she’s compiled in this devotional is NOT the thin booklet you hold on Friday nights of Lent when you’re in the dark church kneeling and standing and smelling fried fish in the air. This is, instead, a true journey, with a friend by your side. This is heart-wrenching and eye-opening and truly, a book for a time such as this.
“The happiest moments of my life have happened on completely ordinary days,” DeArdo writes. “In fact, they were often days that, in other respects, weren’t that great.”
Peppered among the down-to-earth approachability of DeArdo’s writing is wisdom of the highlight-and-save variety. “In heaven, we will also have our battle scars,” she writes. “When Jesus was resurrected, the marks of all he’d endured were still there. That’s how the disciples knew they were seeing Jesus. Glory doesn’t erase everything that came before.”
A friend and I read this together, and in our conversations about it, we kept marveling over how normal DeArdo seems. (What is normal? A made-up term that we use to describe other people. I know this. And yet…) This isn’t someone holier than you or me, but someone from the same—or similar—trenches sharing the hard truth you need to read in a way that somehow encourages you.
I mean, who says “thanks” from someone who tells you “you’re going to die”? Me. After reading this book.
And why is that?
I’d say it’s habit.
Maybe it’s because we have so many devotions to choose from. There’s no shortage: the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Liturgy of the Hours, various and sundry consecrations, daily Mass, lectio divina, and the list goes on. And on. And on.
And because of the richness of the many devotions we have to select from, it’s handy to have a guideline, a time, a relevancy that pairs the devotion with the liturgical time of year.
Knowing that, I’d invite you to step outside your comfort zone and walk through the Stations using Living Memento Mori, by Emily DeArdo.
DeArdo has paired the Stations with memento mori, a Latin phrase that reminds us remember our death, one popularized by Daughter of St. Paul Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble over the last couple of years. In fact, Sr. Theresa Aletheia penned, in the foreword, that DeArdo “imparts valuable lessons she has learned while suffering with Jesus by her side.”
Which is exactly what made this not like any other Stations of the Cross devotional I’ve ever used, read, or seen. In fact, I was halfway through before it sunk in that each chapter represented one of the Stations. (I facepalmed pretty hard, because it should have been obvious—DeArdo clearly outlines that in the introduction. And yet, it wasn’t shoved into my face as I was reading. And that made it even more powerful somehow.
It reminded me of a whiskey my brother-in-law shared with us recently. We loved it. But we couldn’t say why. It just tasted right, in ways we didn’t have vocabulary or experience to articulate. When he visited us a few months later, we talked about this whiskey, and I remembered that he had mentioned some of the same things in an earlier discussion, talking about smoothness and how the barrels were stacked and other details.
But until we had the experience, the conversation about all these nuts and bolts about whiskey didn’t have any meaning to us.
Which brings me back to DeArdo’s intermixing of memento mori and the Stations of the Cross: After my first pass through the book, reading it slowly and reflectively (only a few chapters at a time, instead of whipping through it, as I am so often tempted to do with books I enjoy), I noticed many fine things. But, when it struck me that her insights weren’t just nice—they were directly related to the Stations and to Jesus’ suffering and to the impending death we all face—it was with that same sort of ah-ha that I experienced when I (re)learned about the details of that whiskey we loved.
The Stations are a devotion you may or may not be comfortable with. You may or may not be an old hand at praying them.
And maybe death is something you are a-OK with reflecting on.
I’d love to hear how you walk away from journeying through this book. I suspect it will be the difference between my enjoyment of fine whiskey for the tastes that I have no names for and my brother-in-law’s insightful and expert unpacking of the layers textures included.
That doesn’t mean you should avoid this book if, like me, you are a bit of a beginner when it comes to the Stations and, for that matter, memento mori.
Emily DeArdo has lived the Stations, to some extent. She has had death staring at her for much of her life.
And yet, she’s laughing, and living, and struggling—same as you and me.
What she’s compiled in this devotional is NOT the thin booklet you hold on Friday nights of Lent when you’re in the dark church kneeling and standing and smelling fried fish in the air. This is, instead, a true journey, with a friend by your side. This is heart-wrenching and eye-opening and truly, a book for a time such as this.
“The happiest moments of my life have happened on completely ordinary days,” DeArdo writes. “In fact, they were often days that, in other respects, weren’t that great.”
Peppered among the down-to-earth approachability of DeArdo’s writing is wisdom of the highlight-and-save variety. “In heaven, we will also have our battle scars,” she writes. “When Jesus was resurrected, the marks of all he’d endured were still there. That’s how the disciples knew they were seeing Jesus. Glory doesn’t erase everything that came before.”
A friend and I read this together, and in our conversations about it, we kept marveling over how normal DeArdo seems. (What is normal? A made-up term that we use to describe other people. I know this. And yet…) This isn’t someone holier than you or me, but someone from the same—or similar—trenches sharing the hard truth you need to read in a way that somehow encourages you.
I mean, who says “thanks” from someone who tells you “you’re going to die”? Me. After reading this book.
January 16, 2020
Reading Emily's story, coupled with the Stations of the Cross, gave me an entirely new perspective on the purpose of personal suffering. It is redemptive, not just for us, but for the whole world.
I love how Emily found personal applications for Christ's suffering as she sorted through the challenges in her own life after being diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at age 11. Her stories were both hopeful and heartrending, and her storytelling style extremely personal. She brings clear support from Scripture, religious writings, and even a few fun pop culture references! The questions after each chapter make this book a great devotional, personal study, or group read.
Living with death always in mind (memento mori) is not typically our first choice, but Emily shows why it is good (necessary, even) and how it can help deliver us through the most difficult and heartbreaking situations. She gave me new light in considering the crosses I carry, and how God will use ultimately use those for His glory and our redemption. All of our crosses are different, but Emily's words are relevant to us all. I'm incredibly thankful that she has shared her story.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Ave Maria Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
I love how Emily found personal applications for Christ's suffering as she sorted through the challenges in her own life after being diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at age 11. Her stories were both hopeful and heartrending, and her storytelling style extremely personal. She brings clear support from Scripture, religious writings, and even a few fun pop culture references! The questions after each chapter make this book a great devotional, personal study, or group read.
Living with death always in mind (memento mori) is not typically our first choice, but Emily shows why it is good (necessary, even) and how it can help deliver us through the most difficult and heartbreaking situations. She gave me new light in considering the crosses I carry, and how God will use ultimately use those for His glory and our redemption. All of our crosses are different, but Emily's words are relevant to us all. I'm incredibly thankful that she has shared her story.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Ave Maria Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
August 25, 2020
How do I even start to write a review for this....
We all know that the Christian life is full of suffering and that suffering leads to death... but that doesn't mean we are going to like suffering.
Just think for a moment about your own life. I can bet it isn't all sunshine and roses. That may be the life that you show through social media, especially Instagram, isn't the whole truth. The whole truth of our lives involves suffering. No one gets through this life without suffering. There is also the Cross.
One thing I like to remind myself when I am suffering or going through a hard time is that Jesus never promised us an easy life. Instead we were told to expect persecution and suffering. We were told we would need to follow in the footsteps of Our Lord... and that involves the Cross.
Emily does a really great job reflecting on the Stations of the Cross and tying her own story into them. Her life really has been lived remembering that death is coming and she shares that with us. She also includes meditations for the Stations of the Cross at the back of the book which are really lovely.
This review first appeared on the blog CatholicAmanda.com
We all know that the Christian life is full of suffering and that suffering leads to death... but that doesn't mean we are going to like suffering.
Just think for a moment about your own life. I can bet it isn't all sunshine and roses. That may be the life that you show through social media, especially Instagram, isn't the whole truth. The whole truth of our lives involves suffering. No one gets through this life without suffering. There is also the Cross.
One thing I like to remind myself when I am suffering or going through a hard time is that Jesus never promised us an easy life. Instead we were told to expect persecution and suffering. We were told we would need to follow in the footsteps of Our Lord... and that involves the Cross.
Emily does a really great job reflecting on the Stations of the Cross and tying her own story into them. Her life really has been lived remembering that death is coming and she shares that with us. She also includes meditations for the Stations of the Cross at the back of the book which are really lovely.
This review first appeared on the blog CatholicAmanda.com
January 27, 2020
Living Memento Mori: My Journey through the Stations of the Cross by [DeArdo, Emily M.]This is a touching book about the author's approach to death. Emily DeArdo was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at eleven. She decided to use memento mori (remember you must die), a medieval Christian practice to help others find meaning of life and death in Christ.
This would be a great book for a small group study or to use in one's own time of meditation.
I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This would be a great book for a small group study or to use in one's own time of meditation.
I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
March 1, 2020
A very comforting take on the topic of contemplating your own mortality (or that of your loved ones). Each of the 14 chapters corresponds to one of the Stations of the Cross. DeArdo begins each chapter with a short meditation on a particular Station, then discusses her own spiritual journey as well as the particular health challenges she faces as a cystic fibrosis patient and lung transplant recipient. Keep a notebook or journal handy as you read: every chapter concludes with several questions for journaling.
April 2, 2023
My best friend died of CF at age 20. This made me think of her and all that she went through. The author brings redemptive suffering and unites it to Jesus’ walk to Calvary and the stations of the cross. A wonderful Holy Week read.
April 3, 2024
When she was eleven years old, author Emily DeArdo was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, an incurable genetic disease with an average life expectancy of 30. In “Living Momento Mori,” DeArdo, now 37, reflects on living every day since then with a sense of “momento mori”—the knowledge that she will die—and recounts the struggles she has faced through a unique and innovative Stations of the Cross framework.
DeArdo’s lively voice animates the narrative, and the courage with which she has faced so many medical obstacles, including a double lung transplant, is inspiring. Her personal story alone would make this book worth reading in the same category as Paul Kalanithi’s “When Breath Becomes Air” or Julie Yip-Williams’ “The Unwinding of the Miracle,” but DeArdo layers in spiritual reflection and hard won practical advice on how to live with suffering that elevates “Living Momento Mori” to the level of essential life guide—whether that life includes a fatal illness or just the normal obstacles we all face every day.
“Living Momento Mori” transcends the religion and spirituality genre: It’s the story of an extraordinary woman facing extraordinary challenges, told in a fresh, funny and wholly original voice. A must read and perfect as a Lenten devotional.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ave Maria Press for providing me with an ARC of this title in return for my honest review.
DeArdo’s lively voice animates the narrative, and the courage with which she has faced so many medical obstacles, including a double lung transplant, is inspiring. Her personal story alone would make this book worth reading in the same category as Paul Kalanithi’s “When Breath Becomes Air” or Julie Yip-Williams’ “The Unwinding of the Miracle,” but DeArdo layers in spiritual reflection and hard won practical advice on how to live with suffering that elevates “Living Momento Mori” to the level of essential life guide—whether that life includes a fatal illness or just the normal obstacles we all face every day.
“Living Momento Mori” transcends the religion and spirituality genre: It’s the story of an extraordinary woman facing extraordinary challenges, told in a fresh, funny and wholly original voice. A must read and perfect as a Lenten devotional.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ave Maria Press for providing me with an ARC of this title in return for my honest review.
April 5, 2020
When I got this review copy in the mail from Ave Maria Press, I promptly threw it in the back seat of my car with the other “potential spiritual reads for Holy Hours.” Why? Because the Stations of the Cross are not my preferred devotion. I know that’s terrible to say, but it’s the truth. Too many Wednesdays and Fridays for years in Catholic school.
Fast forward to a friend and I buddy read the book Undone and were looking for what to read next that we both had. Since we both receive review copies from Ave, this one was on our shelves. We read it in four chunks, but honestly, I could have read it in one sitting. It’s that good and that short.
Emily reflects on each station and suffering from her own life. She’s been living with CF since she was 11. I loved this book and then in chapter 12, station 12, I realized just how brilliant she was. This is a book written about suffering from the perspective of a single woman that’s not about the single life. That’s so rare, I can’t even tell you about another book written by a single woman that’s not in someway her struggle with single life. If you know of one, please share.
After reading this I can’t wait for her next book (my friend talked with her on twitter in the midst of reading this and says one is coming), I’ve also decided we should be best friends. We’ll see if Emily is on board! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fast forward to a friend and I buddy read the book Undone and were looking for what to read next that we both had. Since we both receive review copies from Ave, this one was on our shelves. We read it in four chunks, but honestly, I could have read it in one sitting. It’s that good and that short.
Emily reflects on each station and suffering from her own life. She’s been living with CF since she was 11. I loved this book and then in chapter 12, station 12, I realized just how brilliant she was. This is a book written about suffering from the perspective of a single woman that’s not about the single life. That’s so rare, I can’t even tell you about another book written by a single woman that’s not in someway her struggle with single life. If you know of one, please share.
After reading this I can’t wait for her next book (my friend talked with her on twitter in the midst of reading this and says one is coming), I’ve also decided we should be best friends. We’ll see if Emily is on board! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 20, 2020
Living Memento Mori: My Journey Through the Stations of the Cross invites the reader to journey with Christ, as Emily has, by contemplating suffering through the Stations of the Cross. It sounds like a heavy book with a deep subject, and it is undeniably so. But it is much more.
It is a lesson in the power of vulnerability.
Emily shares her hardships of living with cystic fibrosis, and subsequently, a double lung transplant. She shares how this challenge and suffering informs her relationship with Jesus Christ, and what that means to her mortality. Her story is one of hope, not despair.
Emily invites us to walk the Via Dolorosa with Christ. We see in Emily a model for bearing our own crosses with gratitude and joy. In contemplating our deaths, we come to appreciate our lives. I recommend this book for anytime, but it's a perfect book for Lent.
It is a lesson in the power of vulnerability.
Emily shares her hardships of living with cystic fibrosis, and subsequently, a double lung transplant. She shares how this challenge and suffering informs her relationship with Jesus Christ, and what that means to her mortality. Her story is one of hope, not despair.
Emily invites us to walk the Via Dolorosa with Christ. We see in Emily a model for bearing our own crosses with gratitude and joy. In contemplating our deaths, we come to appreciate our lives. I recommend this book for anytime, but it's a perfect book for Lent.
September 16, 2020
Learning more about the practice of memento mori has been transformative for my faith life and managing my anxiety. This book played a big part in helping me understand. Memento mori is basically a Catholic practice that serves as a reminder of your death. As in, you will die. You will suffer in some way or another before you die. Just like Jesus did.
It sounds morbid, but it's actually a great comfort. DeArdo does a great job of explaining the practice of memento mori alongside the Way of the Cross, sharing how it's pertained to her own life as someone with cystic fibrosis, and asking pointed questions to help you reflect on your own death and develop your own practice of memento mori.
It sounds morbid, but it's actually a great comfort. DeArdo does a great job of explaining the practice of memento mori alongside the Way of the Cross, sharing how it's pertained to her own life as someone with cystic fibrosis, and asking pointed questions to help you reflect on your own death and develop your own practice of memento mori.
February 17, 2023
This book, above all, is very real and genuine. I don't know how many religious books that I've read where the end idea was just "pray more about it." This book is very far away from that mindset.
DeArdo's whole idea could be summed up in the idea of "Don't give up, give it up." She has had some legitimate pain and suffering in her life, but ultimately she has deemed her life good.
Remember your death, Memento Mori, yes. But also remember to LIVE. This book was great. Though short, it was a hard read. Every word was a punch of what I needed though, so I appreciate it.
DeArdo's whole idea could be summed up in the idea of "Don't give up, give it up." She has had some legitimate pain and suffering in her life, but ultimately she has deemed her life good.
Remember your death, Memento Mori, yes. But also remember to LIVE. This book was great. Though short, it was a hard read. Every word was a punch of what I needed though, so I appreciate it.
April 7, 2021
A great read during lent. The 3 concepts that really stood out to me:
- Bearing the cross of witness and being present.
- Being available to people in their time of need.
- A good death is one that is peaceful, prepared, and outwardly focused.
- Bearing the cross of witness and being present.
- Being available to people in their time of need.
- A good death is one that is peaceful, prepared, and outwardly focused.
October 19, 2024
I've read this book multiple times and get more and more out of it. It's perfect for lent, but also when you are currently going through any struggle or grief. Emily gives real, relatable experiences that reminds us that we are all one body and that Christ will never leave us.
March 18, 2020
WOW. Excellent, poignant, personal reflections on the Stations of the Cross! Loved this and will definitely revisit in future Lenten seasons!
April 14, 2020
Nice short devotional that's perfect for lent. I would definitely recommend it
April 3, 2022
Beautiful book about uniting our suffering to that of Jesus. Read this throughout the Lenten season, and it was a wonderful addition to my prayer life. ❤️
February 14, 2023
What a beautiful, beautiful book! Emily DeArdo shares her story with beauty and grace, encouraging readers to live--and die--rooted in Christ.
February 23, 2024
I’ve been interested in memento mori for a while now. As a convert it is a new concept. I appreciated her view of memento mori.
April 30, 2025
So helpful for explaining suffering with Christ
July 28, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and what it offers as fruits of contemplation. I would recommend it is a great any time of the year, but I cannot help thinking this a great reading and tool for someone during the season of Lent.
Emily DeArdo through her experience is able to give readers a up close understanding of a thought no one wants to talk about; death. For so many this topic is avoided at all cost, what Emily does is bring it to the table as something one should not be afraid of conversing about.
Emily DeArdo’s writing style is one where you feel she is talking to face to face. With that being said her writing is one that doesn’t bombard you, but instead instills a sense of ‘huh never really looked at it that way’ or ‘thank you for helping me finally speak on this’.
I do enjoy that there are questions at the end of each chapter and in the appendix information on the Way of the Cross or Examination of Conscience. I do have a few recommendations when it comes to this book.
First, I believe this is a great book to read with others. Maybe a chapter a week or a month and come together and discuss that particular chapter. With her questions at the end of each chapter I think it can be a good book to do such.
Second, there are many who can read books in a matter of hours, but I have noticed that I do not grasp or contemplate a book if I read it too fast. I recommend using this book when you are praying the Way of the Cross. Maybe one chapter for each day you pray the Way of the Cross. Or read one chapter during Adoration. This book has a treasure chest of contemplation that one could be helped with spending time with the Lord.
I am very certain many would enjoy this book. I cannot wait to read it again during Lent.
Emily DeArdo through her experience is able to give readers a up close understanding of a thought no one wants to talk about; death. For so many this topic is avoided at all cost, what Emily does is bring it to the table as something one should not be afraid of conversing about.
Emily DeArdo’s writing style is one where you feel she is talking to face to face. With that being said her writing is one that doesn’t bombard you, but instead instills a sense of ‘huh never really looked at it that way’ or ‘thank you for helping me finally speak on this’.
I do enjoy that there are questions at the end of each chapter and in the appendix information on the Way of the Cross or Examination of Conscience. I do have a few recommendations when it comes to this book.
First, I believe this is a great book to read with others. Maybe a chapter a week or a month and come together and discuss that particular chapter. With her questions at the end of each chapter I think it can be a good book to do such.
Second, there are many who can read books in a matter of hours, but I have noticed that I do not grasp or contemplate a book if I read it too fast. I recommend using this book when you are praying the Way of the Cross. Maybe one chapter for each day you pray the Way of the Cross. Or read one chapter during Adoration. This book has a treasure chest of contemplation that one could be helped with spending time with the Lord.
I am very certain many would enjoy this book. I cannot wait to read it again during Lent.
January 2, 2024
UPDATE (1/2024):
In the wake of Emily's passing, I read this in one sitting today. I stand by what I wrote in 2020 - this little volume is a testament to a life well lived in the shadow of death. Thank you for your witness and your understanding of redemptive suffering, Emily - and thank you for sharing it with the world.
Original review - 1/2020:
**I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review**
I had the pleasure of meeting Emily in 2015, and ever since I have greedily devoured her writing. Her humor and zest for life are evident in her candid, honest blog And in the essays she writes for take up and read. Not surprisingly, I was greatly looking forward to this book!
With Living Memento Mori, Emily does not disappoint. She shares her unique journey of being a double lung transplant survivor, and parallels her health journey to that of Jesus making His way to Calvary. Emily does a great job of illustrating the value of suffering, and of reminding us we're not alone in our struggles. Exploring these themes while being ever conscious of how our time on Earth is fleeting, Emily gives us a roadmap - reminding us that Jesus has already walked this path before. Further, it's up to us to take up our cross and follow him as we prepare for the conclusion of our earthly lives and the commencement of eternal life in heaven with him.
Living Memento Mori would make a great Lenten read. I can also see it being a helpful book to ponder not only with the simple, daily struggles of life, but particularly after a difficult diagnosis, during times of transition in life, or a life crisis.
In the wake of Emily's passing, I read this in one sitting today. I stand by what I wrote in 2020 - this little volume is a testament to a life well lived in the shadow of death. Thank you for your witness and your understanding of redemptive suffering, Emily - and thank you for sharing it with the world.
Original review - 1/2020:
**I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review**
I had the pleasure of meeting Emily in 2015, and ever since I have greedily devoured her writing. Her humor and zest for life are evident in her candid, honest blog And in the essays she writes for take up and read. Not surprisingly, I was greatly looking forward to this book!
With Living Memento Mori, Emily does not disappoint. She shares her unique journey of being a double lung transplant survivor, and parallels her health journey to that of Jesus making His way to Calvary. Emily does a great job of illustrating the value of suffering, and of reminding us we're not alone in our struggles. Exploring these themes while being ever conscious of how our time on Earth is fleeting, Emily gives us a roadmap - reminding us that Jesus has already walked this path before. Further, it's up to us to take up our cross and follow him as we prepare for the conclusion of our earthly lives and the commencement of eternal life in heaven with him.
Living Memento Mori would make a great Lenten read. I can also see it being a helpful book to ponder not only with the simple, daily struggles of life, but particularly after a difficult diagnosis, during times of transition in life, or a life crisis.
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