เสาร์ ก.ย. 17, 2005 12:29 am
The Franciscan Crown Rosary (The Seven Joys Of Mary) dates back to approximately the year 1422. According to tradition, a very pious young man who had been admitted to the Franciscan Order in that year was saddened and had decided to return to the world. Before his entry into the Order, it was his custom to adorn a statue of the Blessed Virgin with a wreath of beautiful fresh flowers daily. Once in the Order, he was unable to continue this act of piety and devotion to Mary.
Our Lady appeared to him and prevented him from taking such a step as he had planned. "Do not be sad and cast down, my son," she said, "because you are no longer able to place the wreath of flowers on my statue. I shall teach you to change this pious practice into one that will be far more pleasing to me, and meritorious to your soul. In place of the flowers that soon wilt and cannot always be found, you can weave for me a crown from the flowers of your prayers that will always remain fresh and can always be had." When Our Lady had disappeared, the overjoyed Novice at once began to recite the prayers in honor of her "Seven Joys", as she had directed.
While he was deeply engrossed in this devotion, the Novice Master happened to pass by and saw an angel weaving a marvelous wreath of roses. After every tenth rose, he inserted a golden lilly. When the wreath was finished, the angel placed it on the head of the praying Novice. The Novice Master demanded the Novice to tell him the meaning of this vision. The joyful Novice complied. The good priest was so impressed that he immediately made it known to his brethren. Thus, the practice of reciting the Franciscan Crown of Our Lady's Joys soon spread as a favotite devotion to the Franciscan Order.