Paschaltide is a fitting time to ponder the seven Joys of our Heavenly Mother, the Resurrection being the greatest. Dom Gueranger writes, "The thought of these forty days, during which Mary still possesses her Divine Son on this earth, reminds us of those other forty of Bethlehem, when we paid our affectionate homage to the young Virgin Mother, who fed her divine Babe at her Breast; we heard the Angels singing their Gloria, we saw the Shepherds and the Magi; all was exquisite sweetness... What changes have happened since that dear time!...The Lamb, the gentle little Lamb, has become the Lion of the tribe of Juda; and Mary, the Mother of the Babe of Bethlehem, is equally the Mother of the glorious Conqueror. With what delight does He not show the glories of His victories to His Mother! His work is done, and now He is the beautiful crowned King of Ages... He honours her during these His last Forty Days on earth, with every possible mark of affection. He satisfies her maternal love by frequently visiting her. How admirable must not these interviews be between such a Son and Mother!... O Mary! by these hours of joy, which repaid thee for those long bitter ones of thy Jesus' Passion, pray to Him for us..."
One devotion that honors the joys of our Lady is the Franciscan Crown, also known as the Seraphic Rosary. It is a seven decade Rosary that focuses on the seven joys of Mary and originated in the 1400s when a Franciscan novice was given the practice by our Lady in order to honor her. While the novice prayed the Franciscan Crown, the novice master noticed an Angel weave a garland of roses, inserting a white lily at the end of each tenth Ave. When the novice finished the prayer, the Angel crowned him with the garland. The practice of praying the Franciscan Crown spread from this point.
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In order to pray this devotion to Mary, begin with the Apostles Creed, one Pater, and three Aves. Then continue praying through the joys of our Lady, including one Pater and ten Aves for each of her seven joys: the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Finding of Jesus, the Resurrection, the Assumption, and the Coronation. To finish the devotion, pray an additional two Aves.
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Sequence for the Seven Joys of Mary
Rejoice, O spotless Mother! in that thou conceivedst of the Holy Ghost, and broughtest forth thy Child, as the star emits its ray. Grant, that we may ever be fruitful in works of salvation. Take these barren hearts of ours, and, by thy merciful prayers, make them fertile.
Rejoice, O beautiful Lily! at the adoration and gifts paid, by the Magi, to thy new-born Babe. O happy Mother! pray, that we may ever imitate them, and give to God what their gifts signified.
Rejoice, O Mother! at the praises spoken by Simeon, when, at thy presenting Jesus in the Temple, he took the Child in his arms. Grant, we beseech thee, that we may serve thy Son with purity and earnestness of heart.
Rejoice, and, with all thy soul’s power, be glad at thy Son’s rising from the grasp of Death. Mercifully obtain for us, that we may rise from our sins, and have our hearts set free from the pressure of its many vices.
Rejoice, in that thou hadst the happiness to see thy Son ascend into heaven, where he is seated on his Father’s throne. Grant, that, at the end of the world, we may, without fear, welcome his return.
Rejoice, O Virgin of virgins! who, after thy life’s course was run, wast raised up, by thy sweet Jesus, above the stars. Grand, that we miserable creatures may be raised from our sins, and, after this miserable life, be led to our true country. Amen.
Alleluia! God bless!
+JMJ+
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