FRANCISCAN CROWN (or Seraphic Rosary)

A Rosary consisting of seven decades in commemoration of the seven joys of the Blessed Virgin (the Annunciation, Visitation, Birth of our Lord, Adoration of the Magi, Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple, the Resurrection of Our Lord, and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin and her Coronation in heaven), in use among the members of the three orders of St. Francis.

The Franciscan Crown dates back to the year 1422. Wadding tells us that a young novice who had that year been received into the Franciscan Order had, previous to his reception, been accustomed to adorn a statue of the Blessed Virgin with a wreath of fresh and beautiful flowers as a mark of his piety and devotion. Not being able to continue this practice in the novitiate, he decided to return to the world. The Blessed Virgin appeared to him and prevented him from carrying out his purpose. She then instructed him how, by reciting daily a rosary of seven decades in honour of her seven joys, he might weave a crown that would be more pleasing to her than the material wreath of flowers he had been wont to place on her statue. From that time the practice of reciting the crown of the seven joys became general in the order.

The manner of reciting the Franciscan Rosary is as follows: The Apostles’ Creed, the Our Father, and three Hail Marys having been said as usual, the mystery to be meditated upon is introduced after the word Jesus of the first Hail Mary of each decade, thus: “Jesus, whom thou didst joyfully conceive”, “Jesus, whom thou didst joyfully carry to Elizabeth”, and so on for the remaining five decades, which are given in most manuals of Franciscan devotion. At the end of the seventh decade two Hail Marys are added to complete the number of years (72) that the Blessed Virgin is said to have lived on earth.

There are other ways of reciting the Crown but the one given seems to be in more general use. The plenary Indulgence attached to the recitation of the Franciscan Crown, and applicable to the dead, may be gained as often* as the crown is recited.

It is not required that the beads be blessed, or in fact that beads be used at all, since the Indulgence is not attached to the material rosary, but to the recitation of the prayers as such. In 1905 Pope Pius X, in response to the petition of the Procurator General of the Friars Minor, enriched the Franciscan Crown with several new Indulgences that may be gained by all the faithful. Those who assist at a public recitation of the Franciscan Crown participate in all the Indulgences attached to the Seraphic Rosary that are gained by the members of the Franciscan Order. It is required, however, that beads be used and that they be blessed by a priest having the proper faculties. A translation of the pontifical Brief is given in “St. Anthony’s Almanac” for 1909.

*According to Norms for Indulgences, promulgated by the Apostolic Penitentiary in 1988, #21.1, “A plenary indulgence may be gained only once on any day.” As far as we are aware, this has not been altered and there is only one exception: #21.2, A member of the faithful may. however, gain a plenary indulgence at the hour of death, even after having gained one already on the same day.” (From TAU-Daily)

From Franciscan Media:

FRANCISCAN CROWN (The Rosary of the Seven Joys of Mary)

Here is a short explanation of the history of the Franciscan Crown and the prayers. Franciscans pray a seven-decade Rosary known as the Franciscan Crown. It dates back the 15th century when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in Assisi to a Franciscan friar named James. As a child, James offered Mary a crown of roses every day as a sign of his love and devotion to her. When he joined the Franciscans, James was distressed that he could no longer make this offering of flowers to Our Lady. But Mary appeared to James, and she instructed him to weave for her a crown of prayers instead by reciting a Rosary of seven decades, each one meditating on one of the seven joyful events in her life (the annunciation, the visitation, the birth of Jesus, the adoration of the magi, the finding of the child Jesus in the temple, the appearance of Jesus to Mary after the Resurrection, and the assumption and coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven).

THE FRANCISCAN CROWN It consists of seven decades, after which two Hail Marys are added (bringing the number up to 72, the traditional years of Our Lady’s life) and a Pater, Ave and Gloria for the Holy Father. In the name of the Father…

1. The first joy of the Blessed Virgin Mary: THE ANNUNCIATION Immaculate Virgin Mary, greeted by the angel, by your humble “yes”, keep us in continuous union with Jesus. Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be…

2. The second joy of the Virgin Mary: THE VISITATION TO HER COUSIN, ST. ELIZABETH Virgin Mary who went to visit St. Elizabeth, to sanctify John the Baptist, make those who bring Jesus to people assiduous in mercy. Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be…

3. The third joy of the Virgin Mary: THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST O Virgin Mary, in your poverty beside the manger help us to obtain the riches of Franciscan poverty, through which we receive Jesus and we can say: “My God and my All”. Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be…

4. The fourth joy of the Virgin Mary: THE ADORATION OF THE MAGI O Virgin Mary, who showed Jesus to the three Magi, always increase our faith so that we will be able to pass it on to those we meet. Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be…

5. The fifth joy of the Virgin Mary: THE FINDING OF THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE O Virgin Mary, so happy to have found your Son, pray for us to keep faithfully the grace of never losing Jesus and to help everyone to find Him. Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be…

6. The sixth joy of the Virgin Mary: THE RISEN SAVIOUR APPEARS TO HIS MOTHER ON EASTER MORNING O Virgin Mary , comforted by the risen Jesus, grant that we may have the desire of the Spirit that comforts us with the knowledge that Jesus lives in us and in other people. Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be…

7. The seventh joy of the Virgin Mary: THE ASSUMPTION AND CORONATION OF MARY AS QUEEN OF HEAVEN O Virgin Mary, elevated into glory, draw us to you through faithful knowledge of your Divine Son and through desire of the Kingdom of God. Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be…

After the last mystery, 2 hail Marys are recited (according to tradition Mary lived for 72 years, therefore by reciting 72 Hail Marys, all the years of her life are honoured). For the Pope’s intentions: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be…

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