Our Lady, Undoer of Knots

Since 1700, an unknown artist’s painting of Our Lady 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 and martyred in 202) based on the parallel made by Saint Paul between Adam and Christ. Saint Irenaeus, in turn, 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”. Pope Francis is well known in Argentina and Brazil for promoting devotion to Our Lady Undoer of Knots which has been a source of healing and grace for countless families. This devotion can be traced back to his time as a student in Germany when he came across the early 18th-century painting showing Mary calmly undoing the knots in a long rope

‘But what are these knots? They are the problems and struggles we face for which we do not see any solution. 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, the practice of abortion, depression, unemployment, fear, solitude, depression...…Ah, the knots of our life! How they suffocate the soul, beat us down and betray the heart’s joy and separate us from God.’

The devotion to Mary Undoer of Knots is not new but is becoming more and more known in many different countries, and the Novena has been printed in 19 languages, as well as in Braille. In the last 4 years, the Sanctuary of Mary Undoer of Knots in Perlack, Germany has welcomed more than 600,000 pilgrims from all over the world. So today, give your knots to Mary, your sadness, your turmoil, your depression, your anguish, and trust that she will untie them for you.

Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in the lives of his children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life. In your hands there is no knot that cannot be undone. Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with Your Son and My Liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today this knot. [Mention your request here]

I beg you to undo it for the glory of God, once for all. You are my hope.
O my Lady, you are the only consolation God gives me, the fortification of my feeble strength, the enrichment of my destitution, and, with Christ, the freedom from my chains. Hear my plea. Keep me, guide me, protect me, o safe refuge! Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me. Amen.