| Novena Starts: | February 1 |
| Feastday: | February 10 |
Patron saint of a holy and happy death, conversion of life, and the souls in purgatory
Memento Mori Novena: Meditations on Death
Memento mori, remember that you must die. This novena gathers the Church’s ancient meditations on death, from the ashes of Ash Wednesday to the Rule of St. Benedict and the prayer for a happy death. Offer it for your own conversion and a holy death, for the souls in purgatory, and for the favor you most need.
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Day 1
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Lord God, Creator of all things, who didst form man from the dust of the earth and didst breathe into him the breath of life, I come before Thee mindful that I am dust, and unto dust I shall return.
Thou alone knowest the number of my days and the hour of my death. Grant that I may keep that hour always before my eyes, not with fear, but with sorrow for my sins, with trust in Thy mercy, and with longing for Thee.
I offer this novena for my own soul, that I may amend my life while there is still time and die in Thy grace, and for the holy souls in purgatory, especially those dear to me and those who have no one to pray for them. Have mercy on them, O Lord, and bring them swiftly into the light of Thy face.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, and of all the saints, I humbly ask also this favor
(mention request here…)
if it be for Thy glory and the good of souls. Amen.
Day 1: Remember That Thou Art Dust
“Remember, O man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return.” (Genesis 3:19)
These are the words God spoke to Adam after the Fall, and the words the Church speaks over us as she marks our foreheads with ashes. All that we are in this body came from the earth and will return to it. Our strength, our beauty, our plans and our possessions will pass away. Only the soul remains, and what we have done for God.
O Lord, who didst form me from the dust, humble my pride and teach me to know what I am. Let the thought of the grave cure me of vanity, and turn me back to Thee with my whole heart while there is still time.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
V. Remember, O man, that thou art dust.
R. And unto dust thou shalt return.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast appointed unto all men once to die, and after this the judgment, grant that, keeping our last end always before our eyes, we may turn from sin, live in Thy grace, and come at the hour of death into the joy of Thy kingdom. Have mercy also on the souls of the faithful departed, and grant them the forgiveness of all their sins, that they may enjoy with Thee eternal rest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, pray for us!
Memento mori.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Answered Prayers from the Community
“1-Neck issue, pinched nerve affecting throat... difficulty swallowing issue reduced significantly 2-minor aneurysm upper aorta- issue gone 3- Mother's anxiety depression significantly reduced”
Day 2
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Lord God, Creator of all things, who didst form man from the dust of the earth and didst breathe into him the breath of life, I come before Thee mindful that I am dust, and unto dust I shall return.
Thou alone knowest the number of my days and the hour of my death. Grant that I may keep that hour always before my eyes, not with fear, but with sorrow for my sins, with trust in Thy mercy, and with longing for Thee.
I offer this novena for my own soul, that I may amend my life while there is still time and die in Thy grace, and for the holy souls in purgatory, especially those dear to me and those who have no one to pray for them. Have mercy on them, O Lord, and bring them swiftly into the light of Thy face.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, and of all the saints, I humbly ask also this favor
(mention request here…)
if it be for Thy glory and the good of souls. Amen.
Day 2: The Shortness of Life
“Man born of a woman, living for a short time, is filled with many miseries. Who cometh forth like a flower, and is destroyed, and fleeth as a shadow.” (Job 14:1-2)
“What is your life? It is a vapour which appeareth for a little while, and afterwards shall vanish away.” (James 4:14)
Our years pass like a dream. Childhood, youth, and age follow one another quickly, and none of us knows how many days remain. The time we have been given is the only time in which we can love God and merit eternal life.
O Lord, make me know my end, and what is the number of my days. Teach me to use well the little time that is left to me, and to waste none of it in idleness and sin.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
V. Remember, O man, that thou art dust.
R. And unto dust thou shalt return.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast appointed unto all men once to die, and after this the judgment, grant that, keeping our last end always before our eyes, we may turn from sin, live in Thy grace, and come at the hour of death into the joy of Thy kingdom. Have mercy also on the souls of the faithful departed, and grant them the forgiveness of all their sins, that they may enjoy with Thee eternal rest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, pray for us!
Memento mori.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Answered Prayers from the Community
“1-Neck issue, pinched nerve affecting throat... difficulty swallowing issue reduced significantly 2-minor aneurysm upper aorta- issue gone 3- Mother's anxiety depression significantly reduced”
Day 3
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Lord God, Creator of all things, who didst form man from the dust of the earth and didst breathe into him the breath of life, I come before Thee mindful that I am dust, and unto dust I shall return.
Thou alone knowest the number of my days and the hour of my death. Grant that I may keep that hour always before my eyes, not with fear, but with sorrow for my sins, with trust in Thy mercy, and with longing for Thee.
I offer this novena for my own soul, that I may amend my life while there is still time and die in Thy grace, and for the holy souls in purgatory, especially those dear to me and those who have no one to pray for them. Have mercy on them, O Lord, and bring them swiftly into the light of Thy face.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, and of all the saints, I humbly ask also this favor
(mention request here…)
if it be for Thy glory and the good of souls. Amen.
Day 3: The Vanity of Earthly Things
“Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)
“Thou fool, this night do they require thy soul of thee: and whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20)
The rich man in the Gospel built greater barns and promised himself many years of ease, but that very night his soul was required of him. At death we leave behind everything this world can give. We carry with us only the grace of God, or the lack of it.
O Lord, loosen my heart from the goods of this passing world. Let me lay up treasure in heaven, where neither rust nor moth consumes, and be rich in Thy sight.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
V. Remember, O man, that thou art dust.
R. And unto dust thou shalt return.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast appointed unto all men once to die, and after this the judgment, grant that, keeping our last end always before our eyes, we may turn from sin, live in Thy grace, and come at the hour of death into the joy of Thy kingdom. Have mercy also on the souls of the faithful departed, and grant them the forgiveness of all their sins, that they may enjoy with Thee eternal rest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, pray for us!
Memento mori.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Answered Prayers from the Community
“1-Neck issue, pinched nerve affecting throat... difficulty swallowing issue reduced significantly 2-minor aneurysm upper aorta- issue gone 3- Mother's anxiety depression significantly reduced”
Day 4
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Lord God, Creator of all things, who didst form man from the dust of the earth and didst breathe into him the breath of life, I come before Thee mindful that I am dust, and unto dust I shall return.
Thou alone knowest the number of my days and the hour of my death. Grant that I may keep that hour always before my eyes, not with fear, but with sorrow for my sins, with trust in Thy mercy, and with longing for Thee.
I offer this novena for my own soul, that I may amend my life while there is still time and die in Thy grace, and for the holy souls in purgatory, especially those dear to me and those who have no one to pray for them. Have mercy on them, O Lord, and bring them swiftly into the light of Thy face.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, and of all the saints, I humbly ask also this favor
(mention request here…)
if it be for Thy glory and the good of souls. Amen.
Day 4: To Keep Death Daily Before One’s Eyes
“To keep death daily before one’s eyes.” (Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 4)
“Happy is he who always keeps the hour of his death before his eyes, and daily prepares himself to die.” (The Imitation of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 23)
St. Benedict counted the remembrance of death among the tools of the spiritual life. The monk who thinks each day on his death is freed from distraction and lives each day as if it were his last. So the saints kept a skull upon their desks and made a daily examination of conscience, that death might never find them unprepared.
O Lord, grant me the grace to remember my death each day, to examine my conscience each night, and to live each hour as I would wish to have lived when I stand before Thee.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
V. Remember, O man, that thou art dust.
R. And unto dust thou shalt return.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast appointed unto all men once to die, and after this the judgment, grant that, keeping our last end always before our eyes, we may turn from sin, live in Thy grace, and come at the hour of death into the joy of Thy kingdom. Have mercy also on the souls of the faithful departed, and grant them the forgiveness of all their sins, that they may enjoy with Thee eternal rest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, pray for us!
Memento mori.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Answered Prayers from the Community
“1-Neck issue, pinched nerve affecting throat... difficulty swallowing issue reduced significantly 2-minor aneurysm upper aorta- issue gone 3- Mother's anxiety depression significantly reduced”
Day 5
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Lord God, Creator of all things, who didst form man from the dust of the earth and didst breathe into him the breath of life, I come before Thee mindful that I am dust, and unto dust I shall return.
Thou alone knowest the number of my days and the hour of my death. Grant that I may keep that hour always before my eyes, not with fear, but with sorrow for my sins, with trust in Thy mercy, and with longing for Thee.
I offer this novena for my own soul, that I may amend my life while there is still time and die in Thy grace, and for the holy souls in purgatory, especially those dear to me and those who have no one to pray for them. Have mercy on them, O Lord, and bring them swiftly into the light of Thy face.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, and of all the saints, I humbly ask also this favor
(mention request here…)
if it be for Thy glory and the good of souls. Amen.
Day 5: Watchfulness
“Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:13)
“In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin.” (Ecclesiasticus 7:40)
Death comes like a thief in the night. The wise virgins kept their lamps filled with oil and were ready when the bridegroom came; the foolish were shut out. St. Benedict urges us to hasten, while there is still time, while we are in this body, to do now what will profit us for eternity.
O Lord, do not let death find me asleep. Keep me in the state of grace, make me faithful to confession and Holy Communion, and let me never put off until tomorrow the conversion Thou askest of me today.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
V. Remember, O man, that thou art dust.
R. And unto dust thou shalt return.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast appointed unto all men once to die, and after this the judgment, grant that, keeping our last end always before our eyes, we may turn from sin, live in Thy grace, and come at the hour of death into the joy of Thy kingdom. Have mercy also on the souls of the faithful departed, and grant them the forgiveness of all their sins, that they may enjoy with Thee eternal rest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, pray for us!
Memento mori.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Answered Prayers from the Community
“1-Neck issue, pinched nerve affecting throat... difficulty swallowing issue reduced significantly 2-minor aneurysm upper aorta- issue gone 3- Mother's anxiety depression significantly reduced”
Day 6
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Lord God, Creator of all things, who didst form man from the dust of the earth and didst breathe into him the breath of life, I come before Thee mindful that I am dust, and unto dust I shall return.
Thou alone knowest the number of my days and the hour of my death. Grant that I may keep that hour always before my eyes, not with fear, but with sorrow for my sins, with trust in Thy mercy, and with longing for Thee.
I offer this novena for my own soul, that I may amend my life while there is still time and die in Thy grace, and for the holy souls in purgatory, especially those dear to me and those who have no one to pray for them. Have mercy on them, O Lord, and bring them swiftly into the light of Thy face.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, and of all the saints, I humbly ask also this favor
(mention request here…)
if it be for Thy glory and the good of souls. Amen.
Day 6: The Judgment
“It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)
The Church teaches us to meditate on the Four Last Things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. At the moment of death each soul will stand before Christ and give an account of its whole life. Then nothing will matter but whether we have loved God and our neighbor.
O Jesus, my Judge and my Redeemer, have mercy on me now, while it is still the time of mercy. Grant me true sorrow for my sins, a firm purpose of amendment, and the grace to make reparation, that when I come before Thee I may hear Thy voice saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
V. Remember, O man, that thou art dust.
R. And unto dust thou shalt return.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast appointed unto all men once to die, and after this the judgment, grant that, keeping our last end always before our eyes, we may turn from sin, live in Thy grace, and come at the hour of death into the joy of Thy kingdom. Have mercy also on the souls of the faithful departed, and grant them the forgiveness of all their sins, that they may enjoy with Thee eternal rest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, pray for us!
Memento mori.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Answered Prayers from the Community
“1-Neck issue, pinched nerve affecting throat... difficulty swallowing issue reduced significantly 2-minor aneurysm upper aorta- issue gone 3- Mother's anxiety depression significantly reduced”
Day 7
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Lord God, Creator of all things, who didst form man from the dust of the earth and didst breathe into him the breath of life, I come before Thee mindful that I am dust, and unto dust I shall return.
Thou alone knowest the number of my days and the hour of my death. Grant that I may keep that hour always before my eyes, not with fear, but with sorrow for my sins, with trust in Thy mercy, and with longing for Thee.
I offer this novena for my own soul, that I may amend my life while there is still time and die in Thy grace, and for the holy souls in purgatory, especially those dear to me and those who have no one to pray for them. Have mercy on them, O Lord, and bring them swiftly into the light of Thy face.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, and of all the saints, I humbly ask also this favor
(mention request here…)
if it be for Thy glory and the good of souls. Amen.
Day 7: For the Holy Souls in Purgatory
“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” (2 Maccabees 12:46)
“But the souls of the just are in the hand of God.” (Wisdom 3:1)
Those who die in God’s grace but are not yet wholly purified must be cleansed before they enter the joy of heaven. They can no longer help themselves, but our prayers, sacrifices, and Masses can help them. One day we too may need the prayers of those who come after us.
O merciful Lord, look with pity on the holy souls in purgatory, especially my own family and friends, those who have been forgotten, and those who are nearest to their release. By the Precious Blood of Thy Son, loose them from their sins and bring them into Thy presence.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
V. Remember, O man, that thou art dust.
R. And unto dust thou shalt return.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast appointed unto all men once to die, and after this the judgment, grant that, keeping our last end always before our eyes, we may turn from sin, live in Thy grace, and come at the hour of death into the joy of Thy kingdom. Have mercy also on the souls of the faithful departed, and grant them the forgiveness of all their sins, that they may enjoy with Thee eternal rest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, pray for us!
Memento mori.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Answered Prayers from the Community
“1-Neck issue, pinched nerve affecting throat... difficulty swallowing issue reduced significantly 2-minor aneurysm upper aorta- issue gone 3- Mother's anxiety depression significantly reduced”
Day 8
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Lord God, Creator of all things, who didst form man from the dust of the earth and didst breathe into him the breath of life, I come before Thee mindful that I am dust, and unto dust I shall return.
Thou alone knowest the number of my days and the hour of my death. Grant that I may keep that hour always before my eyes, not with fear, but with sorrow for my sins, with trust in Thy mercy, and with longing for Thee.
I offer this novena for my own soul, that I may amend my life while there is still time and die in Thy grace, and for the holy souls in purgatory, especially those dear to me and those who have no one to pray for them. Have mercy on them, O Lord, and bring them swiftly into the light of Thy face.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, and of all the saints, I humbly ask also this favor
(mention request here…)
if it be for Thy glory and the good of souls. Amen.
Day 8: For a Happy Death
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.”
“Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no living man can escape. Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will.” (St. Francis of Assisi)
St. Joseph died in the arms of Jesus and Mary, and so he is the patron of a happy death. The greatest grace we can ask is to die in the friendship of God, strengthened by the sacraments of the Church, with Jesus and Mary at our side.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
V. Remember, O man, that thou art dust.
R. And unto dust thou shalt return.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast appointed unto all men once to die, and after this the judgment, grant that, keeping our last end always before our eyes, we may turn from sin, live in Thy grace, and come at the hour of death into the joy of Thy kingdom. Have mercy also on the souls of the faithful departed, and grant them the forgiveness of all their sins, that they may enjoy with Thee eternal rest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, pray for us!
Memento mori.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Answered Prayers from the Community
“1-Neck issue, pinched nerve affecting throat... difficulty swallowing issue reduced significantly 2-minor aneurysm upper aorta- issue gone 3- Mother's anxiety depression significantly reduced”
Day 9
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Lord God, Creator of all things, who didst form man from the dust of the earth and didst breathe into him the breath of life, I come before Thee mindful that I am dust, and unto dust I shall return.
Thou alone knowest the number of my days and the hour of my death. Grant that I may keep that hour always before my eyes, not with fear, but with sorrow for my sins, with trust in Thy mercy, and with longing for Thee.
I offer this novena for my own soul, that I may amend my life while there is still time and die in Thy grace, and for the holy souls in purgatory, especially those dear to me and those who have no one to pray for them. Have mercy on them, O Lord, and bring them swiftly into the light of Thy face.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, and of all the saints, I humbly ask also this favor
(mention request here…)
if it be for Thy glory and the good of souls. Amen.
Day 9: Death Is Swallowed Up in Victory
“I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live.” (John 11:25)
“O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)
For the Christian, death is not the end. Christ has passed through death and risen, and He has opened to us the gates of eternal life. The dust to which we return will one day rise again in glory. With St. Paul we may say, “For to me, to live is Christ: and to die is gain.”
O risen Lord, who hast conquered death, fill me with hope. Let me not fear the hour of my death, but await it as the hour of my going home to Thee, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit Thou livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
V. Remember, O man, that thou art dust.
R. And unto dust thou shalt return.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast appointed unto all men once to die, and after this the judgment, grant that, keeping our last end always before our eyes, we may turn from sin, live in Thy grace, and come at the hour of death into the joy of Thy kingdom. Have mercy also on the souls of the faithful departed, and grant them the forgiveness of all their sins, that they may enjoy with Thee eternal rest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, pray for us!
Memento mori.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Answered Prayers from the Community
“1-Neck issue, pinched nerve affecting throat... difficulty swallowing issue reduced significantly 2-minor aneurysm upper aorta- issue gone 3- Mother's anxiety depression significantly reduced”
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