Remember Your Death
The season of Lent. The word lent comes from the Old English lencten, meaning springtime. In Germanic languages, a derivation of this word is still used to refer to springtime. Other languages use much clearer terms such as “The Forty Days” and “The Time of Fasting.”
Lent is characterized by two major theological movements and three Lenten disciplines. The first and foremost movement is toward baptism. The catechumens, known as the elect after the Rite of Election, celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, are preparing for the sacraments of initiation. Their movement is toward the baptismal waters. Those who are already baptized participate in the second movement, toward reconciliation, as they prepare themselves to celebrate the Easter mysteries worthily. The three great Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving assist us in our journey toward baptism or reconciliation.
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
At Masses on Ash Wednesday, the Penitential Act which ordinarily follows the Greeting is omitted, and the Distribution of Ashes after the Homily takes its place. As our foreheads are signed with the ashes made from burnt palms, the liturgical season of Lent begins by inviting us to consider the brevity of our lives, the fact that our lives are marked by time.
A crypt beneath a church in Rome, Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins, commissioned in 1626, contains the remains of 4,000 friars buried between 1500 and 1870, during which time the Church permitted burial in and under churches. The underground crypt is divided into five chapels, lit only by dim natural light seeping in through the cracks, and small fluorescent lamps. The crypt walls are decorated with the remains in elaborate fashion, making this crypt a chilling work of art. Some of the skeletons remain intact and are draped with Franciscan habits; but for the most part, individual bones are used to create elaborate ornamental designs. This originated at a time when the faithful exercised a rich and creative cult for their dead. Often, great spiritual masters meditated and preached with a skull in hand. Upon exiting the crypt (in three languages) a plaque reads:
What you are now, we once were — what we are now, you too shall be.
This is a memento mori - a reminder of death. Memento mori paintings were especially popular throughout the Renaissance and Baroque period, serving as a reminder to the faithful that God has set a limit to this present life, so as to open up an entry into eternity, and that we are not to consume ourselves or become attached to the many luxuries of life. Often, lavish displays of symbols depicting worldly wealth and power were illustrated. A skull, an hourglass, decaying fruit, or decomposing flowers were often included, marking the passing of time. Symbols of a privileged education and training in the arts were common, as well as the papal tiara, miter, and fine vestments, conveying with certainty that we are all mortal, even popes and kings. This is not meant to be morbid or leave us haunted and uncomfortable, but rather fuel us to take seriously the time and opportunities given throughout our Lenten journey, and indeed, throughout our lives. As Christians, we remember our death in order to remember our Life: Jesus Christ!
Fr. Terry