Franciscan Crown / Rosary of the Seven Joys / Seraphic Rosary

This rosary originated in the Order of St. Francis in 1422. A young man who planned to join the Franciscan order was told that he must cease his practice of placing a crown on a statue of the Blessed Virgin. Mother Mary visited the man and suggested that he crown her instead with this rosary of seven decades in honour of her seven joys.

The chaplet includes 72 prayer beads for the seventy-two years of Mary’s life on earth. The final Our Father and Hail Mary prayers are said for the intentions of our Holy Father, the Pope.

Prayers:

On each small prayer bead, pray the Hail Mary. On each large divider bead, pray the Our Father.

Begin on the large bead below the centre medal. For each set of one divider and ten prayer beads, pray one Our Father and Ten Hail Marys, while meditating on the following mysteries:

First Mystery: The Immaculate Virgin Mary joyfully conceived Jesus by the Holy Ghost

Second Mystery: The Immaculate Virgin Mary joyfully carried Jesus when she visited Elizabeth

Third Mystery: The Immaculate Virgin Mary joyfully brought Jesus into the world

Fourth Mystery: The Immaculate Virgin Mary joyfully exhibited Jesus to the adoration of the Magi

Fifth Mystery: The Immaculate Virgin Mary joyfully found Jesus in the Temple

Sixth Mystery: The Immaculate Virgin Mary joyfully beheld Jesus after His resurrection

Seventh Mystery: The Immaculate Virgin Mary was joyfully received by Jesus into heaven, and crowned Queen of heaven and earth

Concluding prayers:

On the prayer beads below the centre, pray two Hail Marys, one Our Father, and one final Hail Mary.