Crown Rosary

Franciscan Crown Rosary

"Let the brothers and sisters keep the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and of Our Lord Jesus Christ, ever before their eyes. Let them do this according to the exhortation of St. Francis who held Holy Mary, Lady and Queen, in highest veneration, since she is the virgin made church. Let them also remember that the immaculate Virgin Mary, whose example they are to follow, called herself the handmaid of the Lord."

TOR RULE, CHAPTER VI, #17

ORIGIN OF THE FRANCISCAN CROWN

Do not fear, Mary, for you have favor with God. Behold, you will conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Jesus. Luke 1:30-31

From the very beginning, Christians continued the Jewish tradition of praying and singing the 150 psalms as part of their sacred routine of daily prayer.

By the Middle Ages, however, a largely illiterate population could neither appreciate the historical events to which the psalms referred, nor could they memorize and recite the psalms in Latin.

Therefore, in the early 13th century a scriptural meditation was thoughtfully adapted for those who desired to participate in the sanctification of daily life through a cycle of prayer meant to complement the Divine Office chanted by the more educated monks and nuns. What became known as the rosary was the recitation of the Aves and Paters (the Our Father and Hail Mary) that were counted off on a ring of beads numbering 150. The mysteries of the New Testament were meditated upon within this "mirror" of the 150 Old Testament psalms. Hence, Salvation History itself permeated this simple method of prayer. The repetition allowed for a rhythmic breathing, leading the participant to an inner realm of peace and calm. The rosary eventually became a favored personal devotion among many people, including the learned laity and religious. The name rosary was derived from the rose, a flower having a great depth of symbolism. One of the spiritual titles given to the Virgin Mary, Mystical Rose, referred to her womb as the developing flower of Christ the Savior. Moreover, the patient unfolding of the five concentric petals of the rose was likened to our own patient mastery of the five senses, the integration of all the creative and life-communicating energies of a human person. Yet the blossoming of the spiritual life could only be achieved and maintained by the defensive "thorn" of daily perseverance. Through the centuries the Dominican Order has been very influential in the promotion of the rosary as we know it today. Other religious communities also developed and practiced their own particular form of this prayer. The Franciscan rosary, or as it is properly called, The Franciscan Crown, dates to the early part of the 15th century. At that time a young man who found spiritual joy in weaving a crown of wild flowers for a beautiful statue of Mary decided to enter the Franciscan Order. After entering the community, however, he was saddened when he no longer found the time to gather flowers for his personal devotion. One evening, while feeling tempted to abandon his vocation, he received a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Virgin Mother encouraged the young novice to persevere by reminding him of the joyfulness of the Franciscan spirit. She also instructed him to meditate daily on seven joyful events from her own life as a new form of the rosary. Instead of a crown of flowers, the novice would now weave a crown of prayers. Before long, many other Franciscans began to pray the Crown and soon it spread to the entire Order, becoming officially established in 1422. In addition to developing this Marian devotion, the Franciscans are credited with adding the final words to the Hail Mary, Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. In 1263, Saint Bonaventure, Minister General of the Order, encouraged liturgical devotion honoring the mystery of the Visitation. Saint Bonaventure also popularized the daily triple recitation of the Angelus which it is believed Saint Francis initiated after visiting the Holy Land. Francis was deeply impressed by the Muslim practice of stopping to pray several times a day, and desired to Christianize this pious custom. A Franciscan pope, Sixtus IV (1471-1485), introduced the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the feast of Saint Joseph as husband of Mary. He also issued the first papal pronouncement encouraging the rosary as in invaluable instrument of personal and societal conversion.

Taken from The Franciscan Crown
a beautiful booklet available in most Catholic Book stores
Courtesy of The Franciscan Friars of Marytown

How to say the Crown Rosary

A Journey of Faith: The Seven Joys of Mary

By Father Thomas Bourque, T.O.R.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Province, USA - Loretto, PA.

1.    The Franciscan Crown consists of seven decades of Hail Mary's, each   preceded by an Our Father and followed by a Glory Be.  

2.    The Crown recalls the seven joys of Mary and how she responded to the   grace of God in her life.

3.    It begins with the sign of the cross which is then followed by seven decades, each consisting of one Our Father, ten Hail Mary's and one Glory Be.

4.    At the end of the seven decades, there are two additional Hail Mary's, bringing the total of Hail Mary's to 72 years.

5.    The Crown is concluded by praying one Our Father and one Hail Mary for the intentions of the Pope.

The reflection studies each of the joys of Mary by beginning with one's openness to SCRIPTURE.

As the joys of the Franciscan Crown are pondered, one is invited to listen to the Word of God and to be open to the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For each joy, a gift of the Holy Spirit has been given for study and reflection.

These seven gifts challenge each individual to live a graced-filled and moral life. They allow one to reflect on the grace and strength Mary had in responding to her call and relationship with God.

The reflection offers questions for meditation and ends with a prayer taken from the prayer of the Church.

Meditations & Reflections

FIRST JOY - THE ANNUNCIATION - THE GIFT OF FORTITUDE

THE FIRST JOY                                          Isaiah 7:10-14
THE ANNUNCIATION                               Luke 1:26-36

Reflection:

At baptism we are called by name to give flesh to Christian values and beliefs. In responding to the gift of baptism, how have we dealt with becoming a disciple of the Lord? What is our relationship to God, Church and others? How do we respond to the invitation to build up the Body of Christ?

Why can living according to Christian values be a lonely and frightening thing? Name people and events in your life which have helped you live out your faith commitment?

PRAYER:

God our Father, your WORD became flesh and was born of the Virgin Mary. May we become more like Jesus Christ, whom we acknowledge as our redeemer , God and man. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

SECOND JOY - THE VISITATION - THE GIFT OF COUNSEL

THE SECOND JOY                                    Luke 1: 39-56
THE VISITATION

Reflection:

Mary's response to God was the powerful prayer of the Magnificat, the joyous acknowledgement of God's goodness within her. What is our response to God?

What are three positive qualities with which the Lord has blessed you? Whom do you turn to for counsel and friendship in your life?

PRAYER:

Eternal Father, you inspired the Virgin Mary, mother of your Son, to visit Elizabeth and assist her in her need. Keep us open to the working of your Spirit, and with Mary may we praise you forever. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. (2)

THIRD JOY - THE NATIVITY - THE GIFT OF FEAR OF THE LORD

THE THIRD JOY                                      Luke 2:-1-20
THE NATIVITY and                               Matthew 2:1-12
ADORATION OF THE MAGI

Reflection:

In reflecting upon the role of Mary as a woman of faith, we learn that she accepted the will of the Father and all that went with that responsibility.

How do you respond to the will of God in your life?

Imagine the emotional turmoil Mary experienced at the time of Jesus' birth. She turned to God for strength. Where do you turn during those periods of emotional turmoil in your life?

PRAYER:
God of love, Father of all, the darkness that covered the earth has given way to the bright dawn of your Word made flesh. Make us a people of this light. Make us faithful to your Word that we may bring your life to the waiting world. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. (3)

FOURTH JOY - THE PRESENTATION - THE GIFT OF WISDOM

THE FOURTH JOY                                    Luke 22:22-35
THE PRESENTATION

Reflection:

As Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to the elders of the Temple, they once again displayed their love and faithfulness towards God.

As you were presented by your parents to the Lord in the Sacrament of Baptism, your parents also displayed their love and faithfulness towards God. How do you express your love and faithfulness towards God?

How do you share wisdom with others?

PRAYER:

All powerful Father, Christ your Son became man for us and was presented in the temple. May he free our hearts from sin and bring us into your presence. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen. (4)

FIFTH JOY - THE FINDING IN THE TEMPLE - GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING

THE FIFTH JOY                                          Luke 2:41-52
THE FINDING IN THE TEMPLE                       

Reflection:

This event was probably a frustrating and stressful experience for both Mary and Joseph. The happiness of finding Jesus was lost when Mary and Joseph could not comprehend his explanation.

When do you most often lose sight of Christ within your life? How do you seek to understand the wisdom of God and the will of God?

What are the five qualities you appreciate about your parents and their love for you?

PRAYER:

Father, help us to live as the holy family, united in respect and love. Bring us to the joy and peace of your eternal home. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. (5)

SIXTH JOY - THE RESURRECTION - THE GIFT OF PIETY AND LOVE

THE SIXTH JOY                                        Luke 24:1-11
THE RESURRECTION                               Mark 16:1-8

Reflection:

The ordeal of seeing her only Son die a criminal's death was undoubtedly a traumatic experience for Mary. She drew strength from the Father's love and realized that Jesus would conquer death through the power of God.

From where do you draw your strength? Does the gift of the resurrection truly give you a reason to hope and a reason to live?

PRAYER:

God our Father, by raising Christ your Son you conquered the power of death and opened for us the way to eternal life. Let our celebration today raise us up and renew our lives by the Spirit that is within us. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. (6)

SEVENTH JOY - THE ASSUMPTION - THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE

THE SEVENTH JOY                                John 11:17-27
THE ASSUMPTION                              Revelation 21:1-6

Reflection:

As Mary experienced the call from God, we also need a deepening conviction and eagerness to hear God's call in our lives and respond to the call. It is important to trust God enough to allow ourselves to respond freely and generously as Mary did.

Are you as eager to hear God's call as Mary was? How are the fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, serenity) growing and affecting your relationship with God and others?

PRAYER:

Father, you have given us the mother of your Son to be our Queen and Mother. With the support of her prayers may we come to share the glory of your children in the kingdom of heaven. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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