Memento Mori- Classroom Lesson with Video, Art, Quotes, & Scripture

The phrase Memento Mori, “remember your death,” helps us keep in mind that this life is only temporary and that we were made for Heaven. I talk with my students about these three elements of Memento Mori:

• For the future: Remember that one day you will die and your life on earth will end
• For the Present: Live each day aiming for Heaven with hope, joy, and peace
• For the Past: Remember you have died with Christ through your Baptism- Die to sin and rise to new life

I've used these Memento Mori Printables in my classroom for years, but this year deepened my study with my 8th graders. In our unit on the Four Last Things, we used this slideshow about Memento Mori. It includes a video, collection of art for Visio Divina, and a set of quotes from Saints & Scripture for discussion.

We did this lesson in my classroom in November, the Month of All Souls, but it also would be a great reflection for junior/senior high during Lent!

Click here to open the Memento Mori slides:

If you'd like a reflection sheet to help your students record their thoughts, click here:

Paired with the Memento Mori study, you also could use this study of the Bone Church, St. Mary of the Conception of the Friars Minor Capuchin in Rome:

Remember you are dust and to dust you will return. 
May your Lent be a prayerful retreat leading up to Easter!