The Franciscan Crown, or Seraphic Rosary, is the Franciscan Order's own form of the Rosary, in use since the fifteenth century. Instead of five decades on a set of mysteries, it has seven decades on the Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin: the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Finding in the Temple, the appearance of the risen Christ to his Mother, and her Assumption and Coronation. The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy recognises such 'crowns' and chaplets as legitimate variants of the Rosary that have grown up within religious families.

What you need

• A Franciscan Crown (seven decades) or an ordinary rosary, going round it a second time for the last two decades
• About twenty-five minutes

When to pray it

Any day; especially on Marian feasts, in May and October, and on 4 October, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Make the Sign of the Cross and announce the first joy

   Make the Sign of the Cross▾. The Crown has no introductory prayers; go directly to the first decade. Announce the joy: "The first joy of Our Lady: the Annunciation."

2. 2

   Step 2: The First Joy: the Annunciation

   Scripture: Luke 1:26-38. The angel greets Mary, "Rejoice, full of grace," and she consents to become the Mother of God. Pray one Our Father▾, ten Hail Marys▾ and the Glory Be▾.

3. 3

   Step 3: The Second Joy: the Visitation

   Scripture: Luke 1:39-56. Elizabeth cries out, "Blessed are you among women," and Mary sings the Magnificat: "My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour." Pray one Our Father▾, ten Hail Marys▾ and the Glory Be▾.

4. 4

   Step 4: The Third Joy: the Nativity

   Scripture: Luke 2:1-20. Mary gives birth to Jesus at Bethlehem and the angels proclaim tidings of great joy to the shepherds. Pray one Our Father▾, ten Hail Marys▾ and the Glory Be▾.

5. 5

   Step 5: The Fourth Joy: the Adoration of the Magi

   Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12. The Magi find the child with Mary his mother, fall down in worship and offer gold, frankincense and myrrh. Pray one Our Father▾, ten Hail Marys▾ and the Glory Be▾.

6. 6

   Step 6: The Fifth Joy: the Finding in the Temple

   Scripture: Luke 2:41-52. After three days Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the Temple, and he returns with them to Nazareth and is obedient to them. Pray one Our Father▾, ten Hail Marys▾ and the Glory Be▾.

7. 7

   Step 7: The Sixth Joy: the Resurrection and the risen Christ's appearance to his Mother

   Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10. Christ rises on the third day; Franciscan tradition contemplates his first appearance to his Mother, though the Gospels do not record it. Pray one Our Father▾, ten Hail Marys▾ and the Glory Be▾.

8. 8

   Step 8: The Seventh Joy: the Assumption and Coronation of Mary

   Scripture: Revelation 12:1. Mary is taken body and soul into heaven and crowned Queen of heaven and earth by her Son. Pray one Our Father▾, ten Hail Marys▾ and the Glory Be▾.

9. 9

   Step 9: Pray two more Hail Marys to complete seventy-two

   After the seventh decade pray two additional Hail Marys▾, bringing the total to seventy-two, in honour of the years Mary is traditionally said to have lived on earth.

10. 10

    Step 10: Close with an Our Father and Hail Mary for the Pope

    Pray one Our Father▾ and one Hail Mary▾ for the intentions of the Holy Father. You may add the Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina▾). Make the Sign of the Cross▾.

Tips

• The Crown has no opening beads or Creed: it begins straight away with the first joy.
• Announce each joy and pause for a moment before the Our Father, as you would in the Dominican Rosary.
• Franciscans traditionally end with an Our Father and a Hail Mary for the intentions of the Holy Father.

Related devotions

• The Holy Rosary

Related saints

• Saint Francis of Assisi
• Saint Clare of Assisi