by Renae Bauer
Winter 2021 newsletter
The Franciscan Crown Rosary is a seven-decade rosary dedicated to either the Seven Joys or Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For Lent, we pray the Seven Sorrows, listed below. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, followed by the Apostles Creed, an Our Father, and 3 Hail Marys. As you begin each decade (10 beads) of the rosary, pray a Sorrow in the sequence below. For more on praying the rosary, visit https://www.catholiccompany.com/content/how-to-pray-the-rosary.
Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35) -- As Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus in the temple, Simeon predicts that the child’s greatness will cause Mary great suffering.
Reflection: God knew Mary’s suffering and God knows ours. Ask God to help us bear our pain.- Flight into Egypt (Matt. 2:13-15) -- On an angel’s counsel, Mary, Joseph and infant Jesus flee Judea for safety in Egypt. King Herod of Judea ordered the murder of all male children age 2 or younger, an order aimed at the Messiah.
Reflection: Do we always have the best interest of others at heart? Let God guide us in fruitfulness, using our words, actions and prayers to draw all to God. 
Child Jesus lost in the temple for three days (Luke 2:41-50) -- After celebrating Passover in Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph began their journey home. Jesus did not. He stayed in the temple with other teachers. When his parents realized Jesus was not with them, they returned to Jerusalem and, three days later, found Jesus.
Reflection: Jesus shows us that obedience to God takes precedence over everything. What should we set aside so that God’s will flows through us?- Mary meets Jesus as he carries the cross (Luke 23:27-29) -- Mary and many women cry for Jesus as he carries the cross through Jerusalem.
Reflection: How can we join our suffering to the suffering of others? How can we lift up others, perhaps not relieving their suffering but letting them know they do not walk alone? 
Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:25-30) -- Mary witnesses the crucifixion and death of Jesus.
Reflection: So few disciples stayed with Jesus until His death. Did fear, disappointment, or disillusionment drive them away? What keeps us distant from God? How can we overcome it?- Mary receives Jesus’ body -- The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross and placed in the arms of Mary. For this Sorrow, pray Psalm 130, which begins, “Out of the depths I call to you, Lord; Lord, hear my cry! May your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.”
Reflection: The death of a loved one can shatter the heart. When death visits can we sit with the pain as Mary did? Can we thank God for the gift of that person? Can we ask God to welcome that person home? 
Mary watches the burial of Jesus (Luke 23:50-56) -- The body of Jesus is laid in the tomb. Mary and others await the Resurrection.
Reflection: Death is a goodbye; resurrection is a hello. The two are intertwined. What requires us to say goodbye so we may know the goodness of God’s hello?
reflections by Renae Bauer; LumoProject.com images used with permission