Story of the Franciscan Crown Franciscan Scripture Reading The story of the of the Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin dates back Franciscan reading exhibits qualities of Beads with Faith to the early 15th century. A pious Franciscan spirituality; actions, spontanei- Ad Jesum per Mariam young man named James had been ty, love, praise, beauty, and delight in cre- accustomed to adorning a beautiful ation. This form of reading involves the statue of Mary with a crown of flow- mental process of entering personally into ers, which he had picked and woven the text. himself. He later entered the Francis- Read chapter 53 of Isaiah. The message in can Order, but either because of a lack the chapter prompts a reflection of the of time or permission, he was no sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross. longer able to continue this devotion. The Franciscan method invites you to Distraught because of this, he decided take actions that would prompt obedi- to abandon the religious life and re- ence and compassion for humankind. You would also gain an appreciation for turn to the world. loving your fellow man. In connecting Our Lady then appeared to him and with the sacrifice of Cavalry, imagine as convinced him not to leave the order. best you can the experience of dying on She told him that he should not be the cross. Using a cross with the crucified downcast because he was no longer Savior, hold it in your hands, gazing at the permitted to adorn her statue, for she details of the Lord’s crucified body. Imag- would teach him a way to give her ine his pain and suffering. honor which was much more pleasing You might look through today’s newspa- and meritorious. Instead of a crown of per and identify places in the world where flowers, which quickly wither, he was people are suffering and make a conscious to weave a crown of prayers, and these effort to relieve that suffering. You may prayers could be offered at any mo- choose to write a poem expressing your ment. She then taught him the Rosary feelings or paint a picture. Such a scene of the Seven Joys, adding that these has been captured countless times on prayers would not only form a more canvas. acceptable crown, but they would also The Franciscan method of action, love, spontaneity, How to Pray yield innumerable graces for himself love, praise, and delight in creation while reading scrip- ture, is a personal connection with God causing the and others. reader to saturate the entire experience with prayer, ask- This simple but beautiful devotion of The Franciscan Crown ing God to make you an instrument of peace in the praying the Crown of the Seven Joys lives of those who are suffering. of the Blessed Virgin soon spread over the entire Franciscan Order and was (The Seraphic Crown) officially established in 1422.

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[email protected] Prayers of the Franciscan Crown The Franciscan Crown Rosary is a Rosary consisting of seven decades with each decade

describing a particular joy from the life of the The Our Father: Our Father Blessed Virgin Mary. The Seven Joys are: who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy To Start: Begin with the sign of the cross . name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. 1) The Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory Be forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into tempta- 2) The Visitation tion, but deliver us from evil. Amen. 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory Be 6) The Appearance of Christ to Mary after the Resurrection The : Hail Mary, full of grace! The Lord is with thee; blessed 3) The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory Be are thou among women, and 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory Be blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Je- 7) The Assumption and Coronation of sus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Mary as Queen of Heaven 4) The Adoration of the Magi pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory Be 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory Be Glory be to the Father: 5) The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Tem-

Glory be to the Father, and to ple conclude with 2 additional Hail the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As Marys (in honour of the tradition of 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory the 72 years of Mary's life), it was in the beginning, is now, and be ever shall be, world without end. followed by 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Amen. Mary, and 1 Glory be