Mary
Our Lady the Undoer of Knots
History
The devotion of Our Lady the Undoer of Knots, also referred to as the Untier of Knots, stems from the 1700s, when artist Johann Melchior Georg Schmittdner painted the portrayal of Mary in heaven, crushing the knotted head of the serpent Satan. As angels surround her, Mary unties a variety of knots from a long symbolic marriage strong. The painting can be venerated to this day in the Church of St. Peter in Augsburg, Germany.
This monumental painting of Mary was inspired by Saint Irenaeus’ analogy between Eve and Mary. Saint Irenaeus said:
What is the devotion to Our Lady the Undoer of Knots?
The devotion to Our Lady the Undoer of Knots is a popular form of devotion to the Virgin Mary in the Roman Catholic Church. It is rooted in a painting of the same name, which depicts Mary untangling a knot of ribbons that symbolize the problems and difficulties in people’s lives. The devotion centers on the belief that Mary can intervene and help to solve these problems through her powerful intercession.
The painting of Our Lady the Undoer of Knots is believed to have originated in Germany in the 18th century. It depicts Mary holding the baby Jesus and standing before a ribbon or string with knots in it. The knots are said to represent the difficulties, struggles, and problems that people face in their lives, such as broken relationships, financial troubles, or health issues. Mary is depicted as untangling the knots, symbolizing her ability to help solve these problems through her intercession.
The devotion to Our Lady the Undoer of Knots is based on the belief that Mary is a powerful intercessor who can help people with their problems. The faithful believe that by entrusting their difficulties to Mary, they can receive her help and guidance in finding solutions. They also believe that by praying to Mary, they can gain a deeper understanding of the problems they are facing and be more likely to find a way to overcome them.
Many Catholics choose to honor Our Lady the Undoer of Knots through prayer, including the rosary and the Hail Mary. The rosary, a form of meditative prayer, is often used to honor Mary and to ask for her intercession. The Hail Mary, which is a prayer asking for Mary’s intercession, is also commonly used.
The devotion to Our Lady the Undoer of Knots is also reflected in art and architecture. Many churches and chapels have statues or paintings of Mary as the Undoer of Knots, and there are also medals and other devotional items bearing her image. Some churches have a special altar or shrine dedicated to Mary under this title.
The feast day of Our Lady the Undoer of Knots is not celebrated on a specific date in the liturgical calendar, but rather is celebrated as local or diocesan traditions. On this day, Catholics will often attend special Masses, light candles, and pray the rosary in honor of Mary. It’s also a day where people go to pilgrimage to visit places that are associated with Mary, like St. Peter’s in Argentina where the painting is located, which is considered to be a special place of grace.
Devotion to Our Lady the Undoer of Knots is often associated with the sacrament of marriage. The image of Mary undoing the knots represents her help in resolving conflicts, improving communication and forgiveness in the relationships. Many couples entrust their marriage to Mary and ask for her intercession to strengthen their union.
In conclusion, the devotion to Our Lady the Undoer of Knots centers on her role as a powerful intercessor who can help people with the difficulties and struggles they face in their lives, symbolized in the knots. It is based on the belief that by entrusting their difficulties to Mary, they can receive her help and guidance in finding solutions. Through prayer and other devotions, the faithful seek Mary’s help and guidance in living their lives as followers of Jesus, with an emphasis on the Sacrament of marriage. This devotion is expressed through personal and communal practices, as well as through art, architecture and local or diocesan traditions.
Popular Our Lady the Undoer of Knots Medal and Our Lady the Undoer of Knots Rosary
Medals and Pendants
“Eve, by her disobedience, tied the knot of disgrace for the human race; whereas Mary, by her obedience, undid it”
The painting was commissioned in commemoration of a tribulation within the benefactors family. The donor’s grandfather was on the verge of divorce from his wife, when he sought the assistance of a local Jesuit priest, Father Jakob Rem. Together, Father Rem and the couple prayed the following request to the Blessed Mother: “In this religious act, I raise the bonds of matrimony, to unite all knots and smoothen them.” Immediately following their request, the marriage troubles were alleviated and the couple remained faithfully united for the remainder of their lives.
The Novena of Our Lady Undoer of Knots dates back over 300 years, but has gained popularity in recent years as a result of Pope Francis’ special devotion. While a student in Germany in the 1980’s Pope Francis was moved by the devotion, and helped introduce the Novena to Latin America and the world.
Reflection
Mary helps us untangle the sin in our lives each day. As she unties us from the sin we have fallen into, she also protects us from the empty promises of the evil one. Once we are freed from our knots of sin and evil, we can be true ambassadors of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, who rescues those who are lonely and struggling with the daily temptations of sin.
Are there relationships knotted up in sin in your life? Think of your relationships with neighbors, parents, children, and most importantly with Christ Jesus. How can Mary help you undo the knots in your life?
When is the Feast Day of Our Lady the Undoer of Knots
The Feast Day of Our Lady the Undoer of Knots, also known as Our Lady of the Snarls, is celebrated on the third Sunday of October every year. This day was established to honor the devotion to Our Lady the Undoer of Knots and her intercession in untangling the difficulties in our lives.
Our Lady the Undoer of Knots is invoked for her powerful intercession and protection for those who seek her help. The devotion to Our Lady the Undoer of Knots is particularly strong in Catholic communities around the world and it is a symbol of love and devotion to Mary and Jesus.
The Feast Day of Our Lady the Undoer of Knots is celebrated with mass, processions, and the recitation of the Rosary. Many people will also light candles and offer prayers to Our Lady the Undoer of Knots. It is a time for Catholics to come together and reflect on the messages of the Virgin Mary and to ask for her intercession in their own lives.
This Feast Day is also an opportunity for Catholics to honor the Virgin Mary and to seek her protection and guidance. The messages of Our Lady the Undoer of Knots encourages the faithful to lead a life of prayer and devotion and to trust in her powerful intercession for untangling the difficulties in our lives.
Whether you’re able to attend mass on this day or not, the Feast Day of Our Lady the Undoer of Knots is an opportunity to honor the Virgin Mary and to reflect on her role in your life. It is a reminder of her constant presence and her love for all her children.
Prayers to Our Lady the Undoer of Knots
Our Lady the Undoer of Knots is a title given to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, in reference to her role in untying and resolving the difficulties and problems in the lives of her children. This devotion is rooted in the belief that Mary is a loving mother who intercedes for her children and helps them to overcome their struggles and challenges.
Prayer for the Untying of Knots
Our Lady the Undoer of Knots,
Mother of mercy and helper in difficulties,
We turn to you in our time of need,
And beg for your intercession.
Through the power of your love and compassion,
Help us to untie the knots in our lives.
May your motherly love surround us and guide us to find solutions to our problems.
We entrust ourselves to you and ask for your guidance and protection.
May your intercession bring blessings and peace to our lives.
We love you and thank you for your continued presence in our lives.
Amen.
Prayer for Inner Peace and Strength
Our Lady the Undoer of Knots,
Mother of peace and source of strength,
We turn to you in our time of need,
And beg for your intercession.
Through the power of your love and compassion,
Grant us inner peace and strength to face
Prayer for of Intercession to Mary Undoer of Knots
Dearest Holy Mother, Most Holy Mary, you undo the knots that suffocate your children. Extend your merciful hands to me. I entrust to You today this knot [mention your request here] and all the negative consequences that it provokes in my life.
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.
Pope Francis’ Devotion to Mary Undoer of Knots
Pope Francis has a deep devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and specifically to the image of Mary known as “Mary, Undoer of Knots.” This devotion is based on an ancient painting of Mary that was restored in the late 17th century by a German monk named Father Johann Schmieder. The painting depicts Mary holding a ribbon with knots in it, and she is said to be “untying” the knots that represent the problems and difficulties in the lives of those who pray to her for help.
Pope Francis has spoken about his devotion to Mary, Undoer of Knots on many occasions. He has said that the image of Mary “help us to entrust the knots of our life to her, the knots of our hearts, the knots of our societies, the knots of our families, the knots of our communities, so that she may undo them and make them a sign of unity, of reconciliation and of peace.” He has also said that Mary “is the one who helps us to untie the knots of our life” and has encouraged Catholics to turn to her when they are facing difficult situations.
The devotion to Mary, Undoer of Knots has grown in popularity in recent years, thanks in part to Pope Francis’ support. Many people now pray to Mary for help in untying the knots in their lives, whether they be personal problems, issues in their relationships, or struggles in the wider world. The devotion is often associated with the recitation of the Rosary, and many people find comfort and peace in the words of the prayers and in the image of Mary as a gentle and loving mother.
Pope Francis has also encouraged the spreading of the devotion to Mary, Undoer of Knots throughout the world, with many parishes and communities have adopted it as their own. The devotion has also been spread through various forms of media such as books, videos, and websites.
In conclusion, Pope Francis’ devotion to Mary Undoer of Knots is deep-rooted and it is a devotion that he encourages all Catholics to adopt. This devotion is based on the painting of Mary, Undoer of Knots that represents the problems and difficulties in the lives of those who pray to her for help. Pope Francis encourages Catholics to turn to Mary when they are facing difficult situations and has helped to spread the devotion throughout the world.
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