Mary Undoer of Knots

How this devotion started?
To show us the mission granted to the Virgin Mary by Her Son, an unknown artist painted Mary Undoer of Knots with great grace. Since 1700, his painting has been venerated in the Church of St. Peter in Perlack, Germany.

It was originally inspired by a meditation of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyon, martyred in 202, based on the parallel made by Saint Paul between Adam and Christ.

Saint Irenaeus made a comparison between Eve and Mary, saying:

"Eve, by her disobedience, tied the knot of disgrace for the human race; whereas Mary, by her obedience, undid it."

But what are these knots?
They are the problems and struggles we face for which we do not see any solution. They are knots of discord in your family, lack of understanding between parents and children, disrespect, violence, the knots of deep hurts between husband and wife, the absence of peace and joy at home. They are also the knots of anguish and despair of separated couples, the dissolution of the family, the knots of a drug addict son or daughter, sick or separated from home or God, knots of alcoholism, fear, the practice of abortion, depression, unemployment, loneliness. The knots of our life! How they suffocate the soul, beat us down and betray the heart’s joy and separate us from God.

Look at the picture of Mary Undoer of Knots.
In this angelic court, two angels stand out. One of them holds on to a ribbon, the ribbon of our life, which is full of knots big and small, loose and tight. The good hearted angel looks to our Queen and holding onto the ribbon of our life, presents to Mary, the Undoer of Knots and says, “We trust you, Mother; You can help us. Undo, then, the knots of this life!” Then, Mary takes our life into Her compassionate hands and with her long fingers of mercy goes on to undo each knot, one after the other. Look at Her. Feel the attention, love and tenderness with which She does this, hearing our plea, the supplication of a beloved child! See what happens? This ribbon becomes free of any type of knot, reflecting all the mercy and freeing power of the holy hands of Mary Undoer of Knots. Another angel comes over, then, and taking the ribbon of our life, freed of all knots, looks at us and seems to say, “See what She did. Look at what Mary, through her intercession can do again. Trust Her, place your problems and afflictions in Her hands!”

The power of praying the Novena to Mary Undoer of Knots is the unlimited hope which through our faith we put in our Mother’s hands. This Novena is known around the world and it can change your life. Why a Novena? Why nine days? Mary stayed during nine days surrounded by the apostles in the cenacle, praying for the presence of the Holy Spirit. In this persevering type prayer, She taught us the constancy of faith, so that we do not get discouraged when direct a petition to God. The Mother of God prayed and gave courage to the apostles to pray for the duration of nine days, in order to receive the most important and precious treasure for human life, The Holy Spirit.

O Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for us.