Franciscan Crown RosaryFranciscans pray a special seven-decade rosary called the Franciscan Crown, and this devotion has a very interesting history.

According to Fr. Luke Wadding, OFM (1588-1657), the author of Annales Minorum (1625-1654), an important early history of the Franciscan Order, the Crown Rosary dates back to the early fifteenth century, when a young man entered the Friars Minor. This young man had a very strong devotion to the Virgin Mary, and before he joined the friars, he was accustomed to placing crowns of flowers on her statue. As a novice, he wasn’t able to continue this practice, and he became so discouraged that he thought of leaving religious life. The Blessed Mother appeared to him and reassured him; she told him that instead of weaving crowns of flowers for her statue, he could meditate upon her seven joys and crown her with these prayers.

This seven-decade Crown Rosary became a popular devotion in the Franciscan Order. Pope Leo X formally approved it in 1517, and Franciscans and others continue to crown Mary by meditating on her seven joys.

The structure of the rosary is very simple; we offer two versions below.

Simple Version

  • Begin by making the sign of the cross and praying the Glory Be.
  • Then, pray each decade. Start by announcing the joyful mystery (see below), followed by an Our Father and ten Hail Marys, and ending with a Glory Be.
    The seven joyful mysteries for the seven decades are:
    1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-36)
    2. The Visitation (Luke 1:39-56)
    3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-7)
    4. The Adoration of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-11)
    5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-49)
    6. The Risen Jesus appears to His mother (Mark 16:1-8; Matthew 28:1-10)
    7. The Assumption of Mary and her crowning as Queen of Heaven (Revelation 12:1-6)
  • After the seventh decade, pray two additional Hail Marys (for a total of 72, the number of years that Mary lived, according to tradition).
  • Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and a Glory Be for the intentions of the Pope.
  • Pray the Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen).
  • Make the sign of the cross.

Traditional Version used by the Poor Clares

  • Beginning
    • O God, come to my assistance
           Response: O Lord, make haste to help me
    • Glory Be…
    • Praise and thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity forever for all the graces bestowed on Mary!
  • First joyful mystery: the Annunciation
    • I bless and thank the Most Holy Trinity for Mary most holy, in memory of that joy she had when she conceived Jesus Christ her Son, for being His Mother, and for the benefits conferred on the human race.
    • Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be
    • Praise and thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity forever for all the graces bestowed on Mary!
  • Second joyful mystery: the Visitation
    • I bless and thank the Most Holy Trinity for Mary most holy, in memory of that joy she had when visiting her cousin, Saint Elizabeth, who knew by revelation of the Holy Spirit, the Incarnation of the Divine Word.
    • Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be
    • Praise and thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity forever for all the graces bestowed on Mary!
  • Third joyful mystery: the Nativity
    • I bless and thank the Most Holy Trinity for Mary most holy, in memory of that joy she had when she brought forther our Divine Savior.
    • Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be
    • Praise and thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity forever for all the graces bestowed on Mary!
  • Fourth joyful mystery: the Adoration of the Magi
    • I bless and thank the Most Holy Trinity for Mary most holy, in memory of that joy she had when in the stable of Bethlehem, she saw the pious Kings adoring the Infant Savior.
    • Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be
    • Praise and thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity forever for all the graces bestowed on Mary!
  • Fifth joyful mystery: the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem
    • I bless and thanks the Most Holy Trinity for Mary most holy, in memory of that joy she had when after three days, she found her Divine Son in the temple disputing with the doctors.
    • Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be
    • Praise and thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity forever for all the graces bestowed on Mary!
  • Sixth joyful mystery: The Risen Jesus appears to His Mother
    • I bless and thank the Most Holy Trinity for Mary most holy, in memory of that joy she had when she was visited and saluted by her Son Jesus, after His precious Death and Resurrection.
    • Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be
    • Praise and thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity forever for all the graces bestowed on Mary!
  • Seventh joyful mystery: The Assumption of Mary and her crowning as Queen of Heaven
    • I bless and thank the Most Holy Trinity for Mary most holy, in memory of that joy she had when amidst the angels of Paradise, she was assumed into Heaven as Daughter of the Eternal Father, Mother of the Divine Word, most pure Spouse of the Holy Spirit, Queen of Heaven and earth.
    • Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be
    • Praise and thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity forever for all the graces bestowed on Mary!
  • Conclusion
    • Pray two additional Hail Marys, for a total of 72 Hail Marys
      This number represents the number of years that the Blessed Mother lived, according to tradition.
    • Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and a Glory Be for the intentions of the Pope
    • Verses and responses:
      • Thou art all fair, O Mary!
        Response: Thou art all fair, O Mary!
      •  And the original stain is not in thee!
        Response: And the original stain is not in thee!
      • Thou the glory of Jerusalem!
        Response: Thou the joy of Israel!
      • Thou the honor of our people!
        Response: Thou the advocate of sinners!
      • O Mary!
        Response:  O Mary!
      • Virgin most prudent!
        Response: Mother most merciful!
      • Pray for us!
        Response: Intercede for us with Jesus Christ the Lord!
      • In thy conception, O Virgin, thou was immaculate.
        Response:  Pray for us to the Father, whose Son thou didst bring forth.
    • Final prayer:
      O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, didst prepare a worthy habitation for Thy Son, we beseech Thee, that as by the foresight of His Death, Thou didst exempt her from all stain, so we, purified by her intercession, may come to Thee. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
    • May the Divine Assistance always remain with us.
      Amen.