August 27

The Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Historically)

Mary - Enclosed Garden

Master from the Upper Rhine (1410-1420) Author of the Paradise Garden

Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin

1. The Annunciation 2. The Visitation 3. The Birth of Our Lord 4. Adoration of the Magi 5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple 6. The Resurrection of Our Lord 7. The Assumption and the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in heaven

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FLOWER of THE DAY

A GARDEN

"Magnificat Fountain"

Mary Garden

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

The "Magnificat" fountain of the central Prayer Court at the Mary Garden has written on stone-engravings:

"My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit find JOY in God my Savior." Luke 1:48

"The very Garden itself represents characteristics of women: a garden in welcoming; it offers a place of welcome and refreshment; it provides quiet for prayer and reflection; it expresses nurture and care for creation" -(dedication brochure) "Her maternal quality, which sensitively and lovingly nurtures and supports human life, is a gift given by God to all women: to wives and mothers, and to religious sisters and single women, as well." (Archbishop Montalvo at dedication Mass for the garden)

The beautiful flowers and plants in the garden symbolize Mary's JOYFUL mysteries : Ave Maria, Rose of Sharon, Mary's Star, Golden Jerusalem, Mary's Pins and the Assumption Lily.

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Pray the Franciscan Crown (Or Seraphic Rosary)

How to Pray The Franciscan Crown - Seven Joys of Mary

1. Using beads for the Franciscan Crown (seven decades), announce the First Mystery and pray the Our Father on the single bead just before the medallion.

2. Pray one Hail Mary for each of the ten beads. (It seems most fitting to proceed around the beads in a clockwise direction.)

3. On the single bead between the decades, announce the next Mystery and then pray the Our Father. Continue as in Step 2 for the remaining Mysteries.

4. After the last Mystery, pray one Hail Mary each on the fourth and third beads from the Cross to complete 72 years of Mary’s Joy.

5. Pray the Our Father and the Glory to the Father (Gloria Patri) for the intention of the Holy Father on the 2nd bead from the Cross. 6. Pray a Hail Mary on the single bead closest to the Cross.

72 Hail Mary's combined, the number of year Our Lady is said to have lived on earth.

Listen to the carol "Joys Seven" sung by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge. This carol goes back to the fourteenth century, under the title, "Joyis Fyve", and recounts seven things about Jesus that gave Mary joy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCXsNmeXNFc

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"Keep the joy of loving God in your heart and share this joy with all you meet especially your family. Be holy – let us pray." - -- Mother Teresa

Ave Maria!