Meet the Marys: Our Lady Undoer of Knots

 

I first heard about this Marian devotion when a friend of mine was struggling with a problem and asked me to pray this particular novena. Halfway through I realized I was praying this for myself as much as for them! The most popular image of this Mary is a painting by Johann Georg Melchior Schmidtner where she is seen untying knots in a long ribbon, and was inspired by the work of St. Irenaeus of Lyons where he presents a parallel between Eve and Mary, describing how "the knot of Eve's disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary. For what the virgin Eve had bound fast through unbelief, this did the virgin Mary set free through faith." Her feast day is celebrated on September 28th, but you can pray for her intersession any time.

Mother of fair love, I look to you.

Take into your hands the ribbon of my life,

and see the snarl of knots that keeps me bound

to sin, anxiety, and hopelessness.

I beg you, Mother, by your powerful intercession

and long fingers of love and grace,

undo the knots in my heart and in my life.

Free me to love as Christ loves.

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for us.


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