1. Announce the First Mystery and Say the Our Father on the fifth bead from the Cross.
2. Say one Hail Mary for each of the ten beads.
3. Announce the Second Mystery and then say the Our Father. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the 3rd through the 7th Mysteries.
4. Say Two Hail Mary's two complete 72 years of Mary's Joy on the fourth and third beads from the Cross.
5. Say Our Father and Glory Be for the intention of the Holy Father on the 2nd bead from the Cross.
6. Say Hail Mary on the bead closest to the Cross

History

In the year 1422, a certain young man who had a reverent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and always adorned her statue with a wreath of flowers, was admitted to the Order of Friars Minor.

Not being able to gather flowers and continue this practice in the novitiate, he decided to return to the world, but before leaving, he went to Mary's altar to beg her protection.

Our Lady then appeared to him and said: "Do not be sad and cast down because you are no longer permitted to place wreaths of flowers on my statue. I will teach you to change this pious practice into one that will be far more pleasing to me and far more meritorious for your soul. In place of the flowers that soon wither and cannot always be found, you can weave for me a crown from the flowers of your prayers that will always remain fresh and are always available.

Recite one Our Father and ten Hail Marys while recalling the seven joys I experienced. If you recite these prayers as I have directed, rest assured, dear son, you will weave for me a most beautiful and acceptable crown and will merit for yourself innumerable graces."

The novice began at once to pray as directed. Meanwhile, the novice master entered and saw an angel weaving a wreath of roses and after every tenth rose he inserted a golden lily. When the wreath was finished, he placed it on the youth's head.

The master then commanded the youth to tell him what he had been doing; and the novice explained he had been saying the rosary as the Blessed Virgin had instructed him to do.

As a result, the custom of reciting this crown of seven Our Fathers and 72 Hail Marys, in honor of the 72 years which our Lady lived on earth, became widespread.

[translation from the Latin works of Franciscan historian, Fr. Luke Wadding (1588-1657)]

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. (For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, now and for ever.) Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Mysteries with Scripture Meditation