The story goes that in ancient Roman traditions, a servant would be required to stand behind a victorious general as he paraded through the town streets. And while the general is glorified by the cheering crowds, the servant would whisper in His ear: “Respice post te! Hominem te esse memento! Memento mori!” =  “Look behind you! Remember that you are but a man! Remember that you are mortal”.

The Concept of “memento mori” was frequently used in Christian Art, especially after the onset of the black plague in medieval Europe. Striking iconographic symbols were the hourglass, the skull, the Grim Reaper with his scythe, and a decayed corpse pictured as a skeleton.

Not because the central theme of Christianity has shifted from triumph over death, to the triumph of death but for the necessity of repentance... these symbols were means to compel viewers to meditate on death that was frequent out there…. to rethink their mode of living, and re-dedicate themselves to this necessary preparation to meet God.

But, while the Christian Context of “ memento mori” served a moralizing purpose as a reminder of the ephemeral aspect of human life, and necessity of higher significance of afterlife; our modern world seems to be totally absorbed  in a foolish philosophy, that of a Neo- pagan” carpe diem”, or “seize the day”.

All around, people are submerged by eating, drinking, sinking with nothing but earthly concerns and pleasures….They think, that way, they are running from the unavoidable truth: DEATH.

But, is death our destiny???

The Catholic answer is clear: “Of all visible creatures, only man is ‘able to know and love his creator.’ He alone is called to share, by knowledge and love, in God’s own life. It was for this end that he was created, and this is the fundamental reason for his dignity” (CCC 356).

Dr. Kreeft re-states it beautifully: “Man’s dignity rests on his destiny. He is not just from the dust and for the dust, but from God and for God.”

Felix culpa (Latin for 'happy fall’), they say... From Adam's sin and the painful cross we came to know the glory of Jesus Christ. So, similarly, as believers: let us rejoice behind the “ Happy fact of “ memento mori”, being mortals…. and let us be a wonderful vehicle of God's glory from earth to eternity; because Death is no more than a womb, turning of us over from this lifetime to God’s eternity.