Author Topic: A Startling Memento Mori (Read 1135 times)

Vladimir · « **on:** October 23, 2011, 10:54:27 PM »

This place was featured on Yahoo today:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capela_dos_Ossos

Even just a Wikpedia on the Capela dos Ossos is extremely moving. Please take a moment to read and ponder on the brevity of life.

s2srea · « **Reply #1 on:** October 26, 2011, 07:57:05 AM »

This was really good Vlad! Sort of reminds me of Death and the Journey into Hell.

Elizabeth · « **Reply #2 on:** October 26, 2011, 08:37:34 AM »

Astounding! Thank you; I would never have known about this incredible chapel otherwise.

A magnificent work of sacred art and architecture.

Catholic Samurai · « **Reply #3 on:** October 26, 2011, 09:34:29 AM »

Quote from: Vladimir

This place was featured on Yahoo today:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capela_dos_Ossos

I think I'll build one of these in the forest on my property one day.

Matthew · « **Reply #4 on:** October 26, 2011, 01:28:39 PM »

Quote from: Catholic Samurai

Quote from: Vladimir
This place was featured on Yahoo today:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capela_dos_Ossos

I think I'll build one of these in the forest on my property one day.

Sounds like a fine idea, except...

Where are you going to get the bones to do that?

Not talking about the money ("bones") either -- the actual CORPSES.

Vladimir · « **Reply #5 on:** October 26, 2011, 03:10:45 PM »

The poem there just makes one shudder:

Quote

Aonde vais, caminhante, acelerado?
Pára...não prossigas mais avante;
Negócio, não tens mais importante,
Do que este, à tua vista apresentado.

Recorda quantos desta vida têm passado,
Reflecte em que terás fim semelhante,
Que para meditar causa é bastante
Terem todos mais nisto parado.

Pondera, que influido d'essa sorte,
Entre negociações do mundo tantas,
Tão pouco consideras na morte;

Porém, se os olhos aqui levantas,
Pára...porque em negócio deste porte,
Quanto mais tu parares, mais adiantas.

por Padre António da Ascenção

In English:

Where are you going in such a hurry traveler?
Stop … do not proceed;
You have no greater concern,
Than this one: that on which you focus your sight.

Recall how many have passed from this world,
Reflect on your similar end,
There is good reason to reflect
If only all did the same.

Ponder, you so influenced by fate,
Among all the many concerns of the world,
So little do you reflect on death;

If by chance you glance at this place,
Stop … for the sake of your journey,
The more you pause, the further on your journey you will be.

by Fr. António da Ascenção (translation by Rev. Carlos A. Martins, CC)

It makes you want to enter a monastery or become an anchorite.

Emerentiana · « **Reply #6 on:** October 26, 2011, 07:23:27 PM »

These "chapels of bones" exist all over Europe.
Here is the Chapel of "Sister Death" (a term St Francis of Assissi used)
It is located below the Church of the Immaculate Conception across from the American Embassy in Rome. I have been there several times on my visits to Rome.
There is a plaque at the entrance to this small chapel. It states that the bomes used there belonged to princes, kings, and paupers. The message there is: We are all the same after death. No one can tell who's bones belong to who.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=immaculate+conception+church+in+rome&view=detail&id=23946E1F5D6E36A7553D6622948EC5001D079986&first=0

Here is a picture of Baby Rosa whos body is intact in the Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo Sicily. Ive seen these catacombs and her body! Shes amazing!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosalia_Lombardo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capuchin_catacombs_of_Palermo

Catholic Samurai · « **Reply #7 on:** October 27, 2011, 10:32:41 AM »

Quote from: Matthew

Quote from: Catholic Samurai
Quote from: Vladimir
This place was featured on Yahoo today:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capela_dos_Ossos

I think I'll build one of these in the forest on my property one day.

Sounds like a fine idea, except...

Where are you going to get the bones to do that?

Not talking about the money ("bones") either -- the actual CORPSES.

Last I checked there's no shortage of them. Why the concern?

I'm sure the Great Monarch will have quite a few to dispose of.

What I would really like to build is a shrine of stone to Our Lady in a grove and have the ground surrounding it littered with smashed and partially buried statues of pagan gods, occultists, and anti-christian philosophers, partly covered with weeds.