Devotion
The Franciscan Crown (Rosary of the Seven Joys of Mary)
Marian devotion · 25 min
A seven-decade rosary of the Franciscan family that crowns Our Lady with the seven joys of her life, from the Annunciation to her Assumption, as a garland of flowers was once laid on her image.
Background
A devotion proper to the Franciscan Order, traced to the year 1422 and to a young friar who had been accustomed, before entering religion, to place a crown of fresh flowers on a statue of Our Lady. It is a private devotion of a religious family, freely taken up by the laity, and is not part of the Church's liturgy.
How to practice
Pray seven decades, each of one Our Father and ten Hail Marys, meditating in turn on the seven joys of Mary: (1) the Annunciation; (2) the Visitation; (3) the birth of Christ; (4) the adoration of the Magi; (5) the finding of Jesus in the Temple; (6) the Resurrection of the Lord; (7) the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into heaven. After the seventh decade add two Hail Marys, bringing the total to seventy-two in memory of the years Mary is traditionally said to have lived on earth, and close with an Our Father and a Hail Mary for the intentions of the Holy Father.
Duration
About 25 minutes
Content subtype
marian