The Franciscan Crown has variously been called the Franciscan Rosary, the Seraphic Rosary or the Rosary of the Seven Joys of Our Lady. The Franciscan historian, Father Luke Wadding (1588-1657) dates the origin of the Franciscan Crown to the year 1422.
In 1442 an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary took place in Assisi, to a Franciscan novice named James. As a child, he had the custom of offering daily the Virgin Mary a crown of roses. When he entered the Friars Minor, he became distressed that he would no longer be able to offer this gift.
to pray every day seven decades of Hail Marys, meditating between each decade on one of the seven joys that she had experienced in her life. Friar James began this devotion, but one day the Director of Novices saw him praying and an angel with him who was weaving a crown of roses, placing a lily of gold between each of the ten roses. When the novice had finished praying, the angel placed the crown upon him. The Director asked Friar James what this vision meant. After hearing the explanation, he told the other friars and soon this devotion spread throughout the Franciscan family.
and finally, either or both the Assumption of Mary and the Coronation of the Virgin.
The practice originated among the Franciscans in 15th-century Italy. The themes resemble the 12th-century Gaudes, Latin praises that ask Mary to rejoice because God has favored her in various ways.
Include your personal petitions here.
Pray for us, St. Clare That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
O Seraphic St. Clare, first disciple of the Poor Man of Assisi, who last abandoned all riches and honors for a life of sacrifice and highest poverty, obtain from God for us the grace we may ask of always submitting to the Divine Will and of living confidently in the providence of our Heavenly Father.
O Seraphic St. Clare, who has not forgotten the poor and afflicted, but has become a mother to them, sacrificing for them your riches and working for them innumerable miracles; obtain from God for us the grace we implore, Christian charity towards others in all their spiritual and temporal needs.
Blessed St. Clare, whose very name means light, illumine the darkness of our minds and hearts so that we may see what God wishes us to do, and perform it with a willing and joyful heart. Before your birth, a Heavenly voice foretold that you would be a light illuminating the world. Be a light to us in the sorrows and anxieties of this earthly life, and lead us into the eternal light of our home in heaven. Amen.
Seraphic St. Clare, whose virginal heart was great enough to love the whole world, take our petitions into your pure hands and present them to God. Pray for us that we may one day enter joyously before the throne of God. Let the light of your perfect purity consume the shadows of sin and corruption that darken the world. Intercede by your innocence for our youth. Safeguard the peace of our homes and the unity of our family. Plead with your chaste love for all in peril. Amen.
Generous St. Clare, who left wealth and pleasure and all earthly goods to become the first spiritual daughter of St. Francis and to serve God in the cloister, help us to commit our lives to God without limit or measure, so that He may live in us and shine forth from us to all those whose lives touch ours. You who loved souls so much as to make your life a continual sacrifice for them, obtain for us the graces we now implore and win for us the strength to praise God in suffering as well as in joy. Amen.
Valiant St. Clare, who fearlessly stood alone against the barbarous Saracens, trusting in the Blessed Sacrament as your only protection, enkindle in us a tender love for Jesus Christ; help us lead Eucharistic lives. You who saved your city of Assisi from plunder and ruin, protect our city and archdiocese, plead for our loved country and the suffering world. A voice from the Sacred Heart rewarded your trust with a promise: “I will always take care of you.” Glorious St. Clare, from your high place in heaven, take care of us now in our earthly needs and guide us by your light to heaven. Amen.
Gracious St. Clare, who fulfilled your womanhood by a life of love in prayer and penance, help us to fulfill our destiny that we may one day greet you in heaven. You who were consoled at your death by a vision of Christ and His Mother, obtain for us the grace that we may die under the special protection of God and enter into the light and bliss you now enjoy. Have pity on us who struggle, on us who mourn, and win for us the favors of God, so that after this life, we may come home to Him who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Let Paduans say—these are of you.
You created every spiritual and corporeal being.
– We thank you for yourself.
by the blood of his suffering and death.
– We thank you for redemption.
Lord, your Son will come again.
– We thank you for the second coming.
– That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
– you are glorified in your servant, St. Anthony.
His glory is the crowning of your gifts.
In his life on earth you give us an example.
In our communion with him you give us his friendship.
you give us strength and protection.
We praise and thank you, Lord.
Through Jesus Christ, your Son.
In our prayer to St. Anthony we turn to him for the following petitions.
in your saints, O Lord.
– May we be united with you by imitating them.
– Hear our prayer, as we honor you in your servant, St. Anthony.
Through St. Anthony you have manifested your love and kindness towards all.
– Show this continuing love and kindness to your friends and benefactors, and to those who join with us in these prayers.
Lord Jesus, you always had a special affection for the disadvantaged.
– Console and comfort the sick, the poor and the sinner, the dying and the forgotten.
Let us pray as Jesus taught us.
to live and preach the Gospel of Christ.
Help us to live the Gospel life as he did.
a sincere love of God and neighbor.
and faithful to our baptismal promises.
live according to your plan.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures!
The well-known and well-loved, Peace Prayer cannot be placed among the authentic writings of St. Francis of Assisi but it embodies his spirit and teachings.
Walking by the San Damiano church that was abandoned and almost in ruins, Francis was led by the Spirit to pray before the crucifix. The image of Christ spoke to him, “Francis, go rebuild My house; as you see, it is all being destroyed.” He literally followed this command by buying stones and mortar to rebuild the church and came to realize his mission to rebuild his inner life and that of the Church worldwide.
St. Francis enjoyed a close relationship with God’s Creation.
Yours are the praises, the glory, and the honour and all blessing.
who is the day, and through whom You give us light.
and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs.