The Franciscan Crown
Seven Joys of Mary...
The Franciscan Crown, also known as the Seraphic Rosary or Rosary of the Seven Joys, is a seven-decade rosary originating in the 15th century that focuses on joyous events in the life of the Virgin Mary.
In 1422, a young man named James entered a Franciscan community. Before joining the Order, he had visited a local statue of Mary and placed a crown of fresh flowers on it every day. For unknown reasons, he was unable to practice this devotion after joining the Franciscans, and he eventually made the decision to leave the Order. The Blessed Mother appeared to him in a vision and said, “Remain here, and do not grieve because you can no longer weave a wreath of flowers for me. I will teach you how you can daily weave a crown of roses that will not wither and will be more pleasing to me and more meritorious for yourself.”
The Seven Joys
The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Nativity of Jesus
The Adoration of the Magi
Finding Jesus in the Temple
The Resurrection
The Assumption and Coronation of Mary
This beautiful devotion consists of:
7 decades (sets of 10 Hail Marys), one for each of Mary’s joys
2 additional Hail Marys to complete the number 72, traditionally believed to be Mary’s lifespan
A concluding prayer for the intentions of the Pope
How to pray the Franciscan Crown
Begin with the Sign of the Cross
Make the Sign of the Cross while holding the crucifix of your rosary.
Pray the Opening Prayer
“O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”
Announce the First Joy – “The First Joy of Mary: The Annunciation.”
Pray the Our Father on the first bead after the crucifix or medal
Pray 10 Hail Marys
Pray one Glory Be at the end of the decade
Repeat for the remaining six Joys
Pray two additional Hail Marys
After completing the seven decades, pray two more Hail Marys to complete the 72 years of Mary’s life.
Conclude with a prayer for the intentions of Pope Leo
Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be
Final Prayer
“O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that by meditating upon these mysteries in the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.”
End with the sign of the cross.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.