Our Lady Undoer of Knots (also called Mary, Untier of Knots) is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary that symbolizes her helping people overcome problems, struggles, and situations that seem impossible to resolve.
The devotion is based on a statement by St. Irenaeus (2nd century), who compared Eve and Mary:
"The knot of Eve's disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary."
What do the knots represent?
The "knots" symbolize things such as:
- Family problems
- Marriage difficulties
- Worry and anxiety
- Addiction
- Sin and spiritual struggles
- Broken relationships
- Difficult life decisions
Origin of the Devotion
The devotion is connected to a famous painting created around 1700 in Augsburg, Germany. The painting shows Mary untying knots in a ribbon while angels assist her.
Pope Francis and the Devotion
As a young Jesuit priest in Germany, Pope Francis encountered this devotion and later helped spread it throughout Argentina and the wider Church.
