History:
The use of this rosary was begun in the Order of St. Francis in 1422.
It is said that a certain novice, before joining the Order,
was accustomed to place a crown on a statue of the Blessed Virgin.
When he was not allowed to continue this practice he resolved to leave the Order.
Then Mary appeared to him and dissuaded him,
telling him he could offer a much more pleasing crown
by reciting a rosary of 7 decades in honor of her Seven Joys.
This is the most highly indulgenced of all the types of rosaries.
The rosary:
The Franciscan Rosary of the Seven Joys of the Seven Joys is composed of
seven decades of 1 Our Father and 10 Hail Marys each.
At the end 2 Hail Marys are added, and it is concluded with the Our Father and Hail Mary.
The last Our Father and Hsil Mary are said for the intention of the Pope
in order to gain the indulgence.
The 72 Hail Marys commemorate the 72 years the Blessed Virgin Mary
is supposed to have lived on earth.
The seven decades need not be recited at once,
the single decades can be seperated as long as they are all said in the same day.
It is not necessary to meditate on the mysteries of this rosary.
It suffices to say the decades in honor of the respective mystery.
The Myseries:
First Mystery: The Immaculate Virgin Mary conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit.
Second Mystery: The Immaculate Virgin Mary joyfully carried Jesus when she visited Eliabeth.
Third Mystery: The Immaculate Virgin Mary joyfully brougth Jesus into the world.
Fourth Mystery: The Immaculate Virgin Mary joyfully exhibited Jesus to the adoration of the Magi.
Fifth Mystery: The Immaculate Virgin Mary joyfully found Jesus in the Temple.
Sixth Mystery: The Immaculate Virgin Mary joyfully beheld Jesus after his resurrection.
Seventh Mystery: The Immaculate Virgin Mary was joyfully received by Jesus into heaven,
and crowned Queen of heaven and earth.
