Book Reviews and More: Memento Mori An Advent Companion on the Last Things

Tuesday, 28 December 2021

Memento Mori An Advent Companion on the Last Things - Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP

Memento Mori:

An Advent Companion on the Last Things
Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP
Pauline Books and Media
ISBN 9780819850447

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 Advent Companion on the Last things is the latest in a series of books by Sr. 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!

A few of my favorite art pieces: