Story of the Franciscan Crown
The story of the Rosary of the Seven
Joys of the Blessed Virgin dates back
to the early 15th century. A pious
young man named James had been
accustomed to adorning a beautiful
statue of Mary with a crown of flow-
ers, which he had picked and woven
himself. He later entered the Francis-
can Order, but either because of a lack
of time or permission, he was no
longer able to continue this devotion.
Distraught because of this, he decided
to abandon the religious life and re-
turn to the world.
Our Lady then appeared to him and
convinced him not to leave the order.
She told him that he should not be
downcast because he was no longer
permitted to adorn her statue, for she
would teach him a way to give her
honor which was much more pleasing
and meritorious. Instead of a crown of
flowers, which quickly wither, he was
to weave a crown of prayers, and these
prayers could be offered at any mo-
ment. She then taught him the Rosary
of the Seven Joys, adding that these
prayers would not only form a more
acceptable crown, but they would also
yield innumerable graces for himself
and others.
This simple but beautiful devotion of
praying the Crown of the Seven Joys
of the Blessed Virgin soon spread over
the entire Franciscan Order and was
officially established in 1422.
Franciscan Scripture Reading
Franciscan reading exhibits qualities of Beads with Faith
Franciscan spirituality; actions, spontanei-
Ad Jesum per Mariam
ty, love, praise, beauty, and delight in cre-
ation. This form of reading involves the
mental process of entering personally into
the text.
Read chapter 53 of Isaiah. The message in
the chapter prompts a reflection of the
sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross.
The Franciscan method invites you to
take actions that would prompt obedi-
ence and compassion for humankind.
You would also gain an appreciation for
loving your fellow man. In connecting
with the sacrifice of Cavalry, imagine as
best you can the experience of dying on
the cross. Using a cross with the crucified
Savior, hold it in your hands, gazing at the
details of the Lord’s crucified body. Imag-
ine his pain and suffering.
You might look through today’s newspa-
per and identify places in the world where
people are suffering and make a conscious
effort to relieve that suffering. You may
choose to write a poem expressing your
feelings or paint a picture. Such a scene
has been captured countless times on
canvas.
The Franciscan method of action, love, spontaneity, How to Pray
love, praise, and delight in creation while reading scrip-
ture, is a personal connection with God causing the
The Franciscan Crown
reader to saturate the entire experience with prayer, ask-
ing God to make you an instrument of peace in the
lives of those who are suffering.
(The Seraphic Crown)
07714252827
mo@beadswithfaith.com
 Prayers of the Franciscan Crown
The Our Father: Our Father
who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy
name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will
be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive those who trespass against
us; and lead us not into tempta-
tion, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
The Hail Mary: Hail Mary, full of
grace! The Lord is with thee; blessed
are thou among women, and
blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Je-
sus. Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now and at the
hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father:
Glory be to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As
it was in the beginning, is now, and
ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
The Franciscan Crown Rosary is a Rosary
consisting of seven decades with each decade
describing a particular joy from the life of the
Blessed Virgin Mary. The Seven Joys are:
To Start: B egin w ith the sign of the
cross .
1) The Annunciation
1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory Be
2) The Visitation
1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory Be 6) The Appearance of Christ to Mary
after the Resurrection
3) The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1
Glory Be
1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory Be
7) The Assumption and Coronation of
Mary as Queen of Heaven
4) The Adoration of the Magi
1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory Be 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1
Glory Be
5) The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Tem-
ple
conclude with 2 additional Hail
Marys (in honour of the tradition of
1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory
be the 72 years of Mary's life),
followed by 1 Our Father, 1 Hail
Mary, and 1 Glory be