FRANCISCAN CROWN ROSARY (7 DECADES)

Below are scriptural reflections and prayers that I wrote that can be used when reciting the Franciscan Crown Rosary:

THE FIRST JOY – THE ANNUNCIATION

THE ANGEL GABRIEL APPEARS TO MARY ANNOUNCING GOOD NEWS   -  God filled the emptiness and the lowliness of Mary with the fullness of his grace, and his Word: his Son, who began to exist in Mary’s womb, when she freely consented to be His mother!   Help us, Mary, so that our “Yeses” to God’s invitations to do his Will bear fruit as yours did!  WE REFLECT ON THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GIFT OF WISDOM -  Wisdom is the ability to make judgments as God makes them.  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for this valuable tool for use in our daily lives.

THE SECOND JOY – THE VISITATION

MARY JOURNEYS TO VISIT HER COUSIN ELIZABETH – The presence of Jesus within her moved Mary to continue to be of loving service to others, in an even more profound way. She went to be with her cousin, who was also with child: John, who would become the Baptist. Help us, Mary, to live lives of giving and service to others – having Jesus within us, in much the same way that he was within you. WE REFLECT ON THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING -  Understanding is the ability to make sense of what God has to tell us about himself, and about us.  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for this valuable tool for use in our daily lives.

THE THIRD JOY – THE NATIVITY

JESUS IS BORN IN A STABLE, AND ADORED BY THE MAGI - The very Son of God, was also born Son of Man for us, and for our salvation. He is worthy of our praise and adoration, even from the first moment of His birth. Thank you Jesus, for consenting to leave your place in heaven to come and live among us. WE REFLECT ON THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GIFT OF COUNSEL -  Counsel  is the ability to know what to do when we find ourselves in a difficult situation.  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for this valuable tool for use in our daily lives.

 

THE FOURTH JOY – THE PRESENTATION

JESUS IS PRESENTED IN THE TEMPLE BY JOSEPH AND MARY, AND IS RECEIVED WITH GREAT TENDERNESS BY SIMEON -  Jesus was true God and true man.  He was born into a Jewish family.  And he was raised as a Jew – following all of the dictates therein – beginning with his ritual Presentation in the Temple forty days after his birth.  Help us, Jesus, to fulfill the duties of our faith, joyfully. WE REFLECT ON THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE - Knowledge is the ability to know about God on his own level, as far as we are capable as human beings.  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for this valuable tool for use in our daily lives.

THE FIFTH JOY –THE FINDING

MARY AND JOSEPH FIND JESUS INSTRUCTING THE ELDERS IN THE TEMPLE  -  This is the only real break in the silence of the hidden early years of Jesus life. What we see is a focused pre-teenager, who, even at that point in his life, was driven to do his Father’s Will: his Father in heaven. Help us, Jesus, to stay as single-minded and pure-hearted as you were your whole life long. WE REFLECT ON THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GIFT OF PIETY  -  The is the ability to have respect for the things that pertain to worship, religion and the spiritual life.  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for this valuable tool for use in our daily lives.

THE SIXTH JOY –THE RESURRECTION

THREE DAYS AFTER HIS EXECUTION, JESUS IS RAISED TO NEW LIFE BY GOD HIS FATHER  -  Jesus came to this earth not for himself, but for us!  His entire life was an outpouring of God’s love for us – to the very last moment and breath that he drew. Then his Father brought his human existence to a totally new level – he restored it to life, and added a dimension heretofore unimagined – an exalted and glorified dimension – revealing by this  the destruction of sin and death for us all! This is what our entire faith is based on! This is what Easter is all about. We respond by singing: ALLELUIA! WE REFLECT ON THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GIFT OF FORTITUDE  -  Fortitude is the ability to have courage when we need it to carry out God’s Will. There is nothing that God cannot do. He can bring good out of even the seeming evil things that happen all around us.  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for this valuable tool for use in our daily lives.

 

THE SEVENTH JOY – THE ASSUMPTION

THE DORMITION OF MARY - HER FALLING ASLEEP FOR THE LAST TIME - COMMENCES HER FULL PARTICIPATION - BODY AND SOUL - IN THE REDEMPTION OF HER SON  -  The assuming of Mary, body and soul into heaven, is logical through the eyes of faith. It only makes sense that Mary, who always did possess the fullness of her Son’s Redemption – even before His birth – should also share in the fullness of his Redemption immediately after her earthly life ended. Where Jesus and Mary have gone, we too are invited to follow. Help us, Jesus; help us Mary to never do, or omit, anything that would compromise our attainment of fullness of risen life with you both – and all the saints – forever! WE REFLECT ON THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GIFT OF FEAR OF THE LORD - Fear of the lord, is the ability to never take for granted our salvation. Until our last breath we must pray: “Lord Jesus, have mercy on us sinners!” Thank you, Holy Spirit, for this valuable tool for use in our daily lives.

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.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

 V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.