Memento Mori Daily Examen

In his rule, Saint Benedict urged his monks to "keep death before one's eyes". Benedict urged remembrance of death so his monks would keep their eyes on Jesus and be prepared for their death and judgement. But what spiritual practices can help us to prepare for death and judgement? The examen, encouraged for centuries in the church, has many benefits. Saints Ignatius of Loyola promoted the use of examen as a way to live in continual conversion by reviewing each day in light of God's mercy. In the examen one can offer God praise and gratitude, identify areas and ask for grace for the future. The examen is also a perfect way to incorporate meditation on the last things, because it already implicitly evaluates the day in view of the afterlife. The version of the examen found here explicitly incorporates a step by which one can review the day in the context of death, judgement, and the afterlife.

"Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths" - Psalm 25:4

"At least once daily, cast your mind ahead to the moment of death so that you consider the events of each day in this light." - Saint Josemaria Escriva

How to Make the Memento Mori Daily Examen

Step One: Become Aware of God's Presence

Close your eyes and become present to God dwelling within you through your baptism. Imagine yourself as a child under God's omniscient, compassionate gaze. Try to visualize yourself stepping out your self-centeredness in order to see reality through the loving eyes of God. This step is crucial beginning to the examen as God's perspective on our lives is the only important one.

Step Two: Ask for the Holy Spirit's Guidance

Offer a short prayer asking the Holy Spirit to help you to see the day in the light of God's grace..

Step Three: Review the Day

Ask the questions, "how has God loved me today?" and "How have I loved God and my neighbor today?" sometimes an obvious moment in the day will jump out - positive or negative - and you can sit with it. However, this step is not like an examination of conscience before confession. Focusing on the negative may come more naturally, but try to note both the positive and the negative events of the day and bring them before God in sorrow and thanksgiving.

Step Four: Remember your Death and Judgement

Consider the day in view of the last moments of your life. Envision your deathbed scene and subsequent judgement before Jesus. Reflect on whatever arose in the previous step in the context of eternal life. Consider the question, "If I were to die tomorrow, would I be ready to meet Jesus?" In this step, be sure to thank God for everything in the day that prepared you for heaven. Finish by asking God for the graces you need to better prepare for your death and judgment, the timing of which remains unknown.

Step Five: Look Toward Tomorrow

End by looking forward to the next day. In this step, thank God for the gift of another day of life, should it be God's will. Think of the specific events of the following day, especially those for which you need particular graces. Visualize yourself trusting and acting in God's grace as you live both the trying and joyful moments of the next day. This step, if done faithfully, will lead to concrete behavioral and emotional changes in your life.

Note : At first, the examen may take about ten minutes, but once you get used to the practice it can be done in less time. Do not get caught up in doing the steps precisely; there are many different ways to do the examen. All that matters is that you get into the rhythm and spirit of the practice and see it bearing fruit.

"Let us prepare ourselves for a good death, for eternity. Let us not lose our time in lukewarmness, in negligence, in our habitual infidelities" - Saint John Vianney s."