The Franciscan Crown Rosary

The Franciscan Crown Rosary

The Franciscan Crown Rosary is a Rosary consisting of seven decades with each decade describing a particular joy from the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Make the sign of the Cross

THE SEVEN JOYS OF MARY

First joy of Mary: The Annunciation (Our Father and Ten Hail Marys)

Mystery: The Annunciation “behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word.” Luke 1:26-33  R: May I become your humble servant, Lord.

Second joy of' Mary: The Visitation (Our Father and Ten Hail Marys)

Mystery: The Visitation “Rising up, Mary went into the hill country and saluted her cousin Elizabeth.” Luke 1:39-47  R: Grant us true love of neighbor, Lord.

Third Joy of Mary: The Nativity (Our Father and Ten Hail Marys)

Mystery: The Nativity “She brought fourth her first born son...and laid him in a manger.” Luke 2:4-7  R: Give us true poverty of spirit, Lord.          

Fourth joy of Mary: Adoration of the Magi (Our Father and Ten Hail Marys)

Mystery: Adoration of the Magi “Following the star the Magi found Jesus, adored him and presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matt 2:9-11  R: Help me obey all just laws.

Fifth Joy of Mary: Finding Jesus in the Temple (Our Father and Ten Hail Marys)

Mystery: Finding Jesus in the Temple “Not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem seeking him.” Luke 2:41-51 R: May I never lose you through serious sin, Lord.

Sixth joy of Mary: The Resurrection (Our Father and Ten Hail Marys)

Mystery: The Resurrection “The Lord is not here...He is risen.” Luke 24:1-6 R: May we share your glory, Lord.

Seventh Joy of Mary: The Crowning of Our Lady (Our Father and Ten Hail Marys)

Mystery: The Crowning of Our Lady “a woman clothed with the Sun... upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” Rev 12:1 -6  R: Mary, may we share your crown of eternal life.

Say Two Hail Mary's to complete 72 years of Mary's life on earth..

Say an Our Father and a Hail Mary for the intentions of the Holy Father.

According to Franciscan tradition the Seven Joys of Our Lady are recited throughout the year. However, in recent years, some substitute the Seven Sorrows of Mary during penitential seasons.  See the Seven sorrows and the Promises of Our Lady..

History of the Franciscan Crown

In the year 1422, a certain young man who had a reverent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and always adorned her statue with a wreath of flowers, was admitted to the Order of Friars Minor.  Not being able to gather flowers and continue this practice in the novitiate, he decided to return to the world, but before leaving, he went to Mary's altar to beg her protection.

Our Lady then appeared to him and said: "Do not be sad and cast down because you are no longer permitted to place wreaths of flowers on my statue. I will teach you to change this pious practice into one that will be far more pleasing to me and far more meritorious for your soul. In place of the flowers that soon wither and cannot always be found, you can weave for me a crown from the flowers of your prayers that will always remain fresh and are always available.

Recite one Our Father and ten Hail Mary's while recalling the seven joys I experienced. If you recite these prayers as I have directed, rest assured, dear son, you will weave for me a most beautiful and acceptable crown and will merit for yourself innumerable graces."

The novice began at once to pray as directed. Meanwhile, the novice master entered and saw an angel weaving a wreath of roses and after every tenth rose he inserted a golden lily. When the wreath was finished, he placed it on the youth's head.

The master then commanded the youth to tell him what he had been doing; and the novice explained he had been saying the rosary as the Blessed Mother had instructed him to do.  As a result the custom of reciting this Crown of seven Our Fathers and 72 Hail Mary's, in honor at the 72 years which our Lady lived on earth became wide spread.

Photo Credit Waiting for the Word