Episode 1458: The Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mother

The Franciscan Crown Rosary, also known as the Franciscan Rosary or the Seraphic Rosary, the seven joys are:Show more

1. The Annunciation: This joy commemorates the angel Gabriel's visit to Mary, announcing that she would conceive and bear the Son of God.
Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." 29 Who having heard, was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said to her, "Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. 31 Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. 32 He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. 33 And of his kingdom there shall be no end." 34 And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be done, because I know not man?" 35 And the angel answering, said to her, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren. 37 Because no word shall be impossible with God." 38 And Mary said: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word." And the angel departed from her.
2. The Visitation: Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth, who was also miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist, is celebrated as the second joy.
Luke 1:39-56
39 And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Judah. 40 And she entered into the house of Zachary and saluted Elizabeth. 41 And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. 42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said: "Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed art thou that hast believed because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord." 46 And Mary said: "My soul doth magnify the Lord. 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him. 51 He hath showed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54 He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy. 55 As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever. 56 And Mary abode with her about three months and she returned to her own house."
3. The Nativity of Jesus: The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is a moment of great joy and significance for Christians.
Luke 2:1-20
1 And it came to pass that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. 2 This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be enrolled, everyone into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David. 5 To be enrolled with Mary, his espoused wife, who was with child. 6 And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds watching and keeping the night watches over their flock. 9 And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them and the brightness of God shone round about them: and they feared with a great fear. 10 And the angel said to them: "Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all the people. 11 For this day is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: 14 "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will." 15 And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: "Let us go over to Bethlehem and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath showed to us." 16 And they came with haste: and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. 17 And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. 18 And all that heard wondered: and at those things that were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
4. The Adoration of the Magi: The visit of the Wise Men who came to worship the newborn Jesus is another joyful event.\
Matthew 2:1-12
1 When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of King Herod, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, 2 saying, "Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and are come to adore him." 3 And King Herod hearing this was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. 5 But they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet: 6 And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel." 7 Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them. 8 And sending them into Bethlehem, said: "Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come to adore him." 9 Who having heard the king went their way. And behold the star which they had seen in the East, went before them until it came and stood over where the child was. 10 And seeing the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple: This event focuses on Mary and Joseph finding Jesus in the Temple after he had been missing for three days.
Luke 2:41-52
41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the Pasch, 42 And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, 43 And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. 44 And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. 45 And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. 48 And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: "Son, why hast thou done so to us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." 49 And he said to them: "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my father's business?" 50 And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. 52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and grace with God and men.
6. The Resurrection of Jesus: Mary experienced profound joy when she witnessed the resurrection of her Son, Jesus, on Easter Sunday.
Matthew 28:1-10
1 And in the end of the sabbath, when it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre. 2 And behold there was a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and coming rolled back the stone and sat upon it. 3 And his countenance was as lightning and his raiment as snow. 4 And for fear of him, the guards were struck with terror and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answering, said to the women: "Fear not you, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here. For he is risen, as he said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was laid. 7 And going quickly, tell ye his disciples that he is risen: and behold he will go before you into Galilee. There you shall see him. Lo, I have foretold it to you."
8 And they went out quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, running to tell his disciples. 9 And behold Jesus met them, saying: "All hail." But they came up and took hold of his feet and adored him. 10 Then Jesus said to them: "Fear not. Go, tell my brethren that they go into Galilee. There they shall see me."
7. The Assumption of Mary: This joy celebrates the belief that Mary was taken body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life.
Revelation 12:1: "A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head."

In the Franciscan Crown Rosary, each of these seven joys is typically meditated upon while praying the Hail Marys and is represented by a corresponding bead. This devotion is especially popular among Franciscans and those who have a particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.