| Franciscan Crown Rosary |
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| This devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary was originated in 1422. When a young man had a reverent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and always adorned her statue with a wreath of flowers. The young man was admitted to the Order of Friars Minor. But now not being able to gather and continue this practice in the novitiate, he decided to leave and went to Mary's altar to beg her protection. Our Lady 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 Marys 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." |
| As a result, the custom of reciting this crown of seven Our Fathers and 72 Hail Marys, in honor of the 72 years which our Lady lived on earth, became widespread. The Franciscan Crown consist of seven decades of Hail Mary's each proceeded by an Our Father and followed by a Glory Be. Begin with the sign of the cross. 1. Announce the First Mystery and Say the Our Father on the fifth bead from the Cross. 2. Say one Hail Mary for each of the ten beads. 3. Say the Glory Be and Announce the Second Mystery and then say the Our Father. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the 3rd through the 7th Mysteries. 4. Say Two Hail Mary's too complete 72 years of Mary's Joy on the fourth and third beads from the Cross. 5. Say one Hail Mary for the intentions of the Pope. 6 .The Crown is concluded by praying one Our Father the intentions of the Pope. |
| Rosary of the Seven Joys |
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| Modern Mysteries Annunciation Luke 1:31-32 Visitation Luke 1:42, 45 Nativity and Adoration by the Magi Luke 2:6-7 Presentation in the Temple and Purification of Mary Luke 2:22 Finding in the Temple Luke 2:46-47 Resurrection Matthew 28:5-6 Assumption of Mary and Coronation Judith 13:18 and Revelation 12:1 Traditional Mysteries Annunciation Luke 1:31-32 Visitation Luke 1:42, 45 Nativity Luke 2:6-7 Adoration by the Magi Matthew 2:1-6 Finding in the Temple Luke 2:46-47 Resurrection Matthew 28:5-6 Assumption of Mary and Coronation Judith 13:18 and Revelation 12:1 |