Memento Mori: An Advent Companion on the Last Things

by Sr. Theresa Aletheia Noble

Memento Mori: An Advent Companion on the Last Things is the latest in a series of books by Theresa Noble, that explores the traditional Christian practice of meditation on death in the light of Christ. This daily Scripture-based Advent companion, enhanced by full-color classic and contemporary art, invites you to ponder the reality that Advent means nothing without recognizing that Jesus came to save us from death, humanity's most intimidating enemy and impossible adversary.

Genres: Religion, Devotional, Christmas

176 pages, Paperback

Published October 31, 2021

Reviews

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

This is the fourth volume from Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP that I have read. And I have read each of the other three more than once. I was very blessed by having read this book, and though I much prefer eBooks this is a stunning volume. And I will hang onto it and reuses it over the next few Advents. Or until an eBook version is released. This volume was funded in part through a Kickstarter campaign.

This book is an oversized trade paperback. With flat cover. Each week begins with a reflection for the week. And then there is a reflection for each day. The daily reflections are 4 pages and are comprised of:

Full Page Artwork
Title (Third Tuesday of Advent)
Readings (the bible readings for that days mass,
Sundays have all three Cycles A B C.)
A Biblical Quote or Two.
Reflection on that days readings.
Examen
Journaling and Prayer Prompts

The chapters in the book are:

Memento Mori, the Last Things, and Advent
How to Use This Companion

First Week of Advent: Death
First Sunday of Advent
First Monday of Advent
First Tuesday of Advent
First Wednesday of Advent
First Thursday of Advent
First Friday of Advent
First Saturday of Advent

Second Week of Advent: Judgement
Second Sunday of Advent
Second Monday of Advent
Second Tuesday of Advent
Second Wednesday of Advent
Second Thursday of Advent
Second Friday of Advent
Second Saturday of Advent

Third Week of Advent: Hell
Third Sunday of Advent
Third Monday of Advent
Third Tuesday of Advent
Third Wednesday of Advent
Third Thursday of Advent
Third Friday of Advent
Third Saturday of Advent

Fourth Week of Advent: Heaven
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 17
December 18
December 19
December 20
December 21
December 22
December 23
December 24
Christmas December 25

Appendix: The Memento Mori Daily Examen
How to Make the Memento Mori Daily Examen
Art Acknowledgements

The artwork is stunning and the art contributors are:

Erica Tighn
Valerie Delgado
Diego Diaz
Yohanes Dony
Mary Dudek
Tricia Hope Dugat
Anna Griebe
Cory and Marie Heimann
Hope Helmer
Joe Kim
James Langley
Chris Lewis
Daniela Madriz
Christy Mandin
Sr. Laura Rosemarie McGowan
Ryan McQuade
Cory Mendenhall
Harmony Miller
Tisa Muico
David Nobel
Jay Parnell
Michella Arnold Paine
Gabriella Schadt
Jeremy Stout
Arienda Tankou
Kreg Yingst
Elizabeth Zelasko

Each artist has between 1 and 4 contributions to the work and each artist profile includes a twitter handle or website, title of work, description of work, and bio. The description on the back of the book states:

“During Advent we prayerfully consider how Jesus was born to save us from death through his incarnation, death, and resurrection. Remembering this in light of your own death can change your life.

Memento Mori of “remember your death” is a phrase long associated with the practice of remembering the unpredictable and inevitable end of one’s life. Memento Mori An Advant Companion on the Last things is the latest in a series of books bySr. Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP, that explores the traditional Christian practice of meditation on death in light of Christ. This book will help you consider that four Last Things: death, judgement, heal, and heaven in the context of Advent, through:

- Daily Advent Reflections based on the liturgical readings
- Daily readings from the tradition, including the Church Fathers and many of the Saints
- The Memento Mori Examen or review of the day
- Classic art as well as memento more-inspired art from over twenty artists”

Sister Theresa has written another wonderful volume. And the artwork helps us enter deeper into the meditations and reflections. The book can be used once, or for many years in a row. It is an excellent resource and I highly recommend it!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful Advent devotional and some of the most outstanding artwork.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous advent book! I read and discussed this daily with my friend, Jamie. I loved the art work and the thoughtful passages and religious texts that were used.

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prayers on the last things. For those who wish to focus beyond the shine and man made shimmer of the Advent season, this Advent companion is a welcome guide to think about why Advent is so meaningful - its reminder of our own mortality. This global season of loss and death through the ongoing pandemic has jarred us in different ways - thank you Sr Noble for sharing these reflections that may help someone seeking meaning in Christ's birth, which is celebrated at this time of year.

[Aaron Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second Advent with this Memento Mori Advent Companion. The practice of Memento Mori has changed my life in such a way that I've noticed becoming more aware of my death and of God's presence in my life. This Advent companion helped guide me to meditate not just on the last things, but on the present hope of the coming of Christ at Christmas, at the end of the age, and in my daily life.

[Sarah O’Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great Lenten devotional. It tells you what the readings are for the day, includes the gospel reading as part of the text and has lovely reflections written by the author and a daily reflection written by a saint. It also contains beautiful artwork and each artist is given credit by their work and an explanation of the work is included in the back of the book.

[Bice · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very different Advent read for me but very gratifying. The physical book is very colorful and well presented. The artwork is very good although to be frank some were a little off putting. Of course that opinion is personal to me. I definitely will read next Advent.
I like the Lenten one by this author also and would highly recommend both.

[Riley Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful meditations I finished during Advent 2022! I also recorded all the prayers and reflections in my memento mori journal so I can read and look back on them.

Memento mori! Remember your own death and the poor souls in purgatory. I highly recommend this book!

[Jaime K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to reflect on Advent readings and the birth of Christ while keeping in mind life means death.

[Christen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Sr. Teresa's imaginative reflections have a knack for getting to the heart of wounds that God wants to heal in a person.

[cece · Rating 5 out of 5]

What grace the Memento Mori practice has been to my life. The remarkable artwork and the beautiful passages are enough to keep you coming back daily.