Our Lady Undoer of Knots: A True Story of Healing and Hope

The devotion to Our Lady Undoer of Knots has quietly become one of the most beloved Marian devotions in the Catholic Church. She is the gentle intercessor who untangles the spiritual, emotional, and relational knots in our lives—offering healing where there was pain, and clarity where there was confusion.

This powerful devotion, rooted in history and rich in symbolism, began not with an apparition, but with a marriage nearly lost—and a ribbon placed in Mary’s hands.

The Origin of Our Lady Undoer of Knots: A Ribbon and a Prayer

The painting of Our Lady Undoer of Knots — a symbol of Mary’s intercession to untangle the most difficult problems in our lives.

The story of Our Lady Undoer of Knots begins in 17th-century Germany. In 1612, a nobleman named Wolfgang Langenmantel faced a serious crisis in his marriage. Desperate to save it, he turned to Father Jakob Rem, a Jesuit priest, for spiritual counsel.

Over four prayer meetings in Ingolstadt, the two men pleaded for divine intervention. At their final meeting, Father Rem took a long, white ribbon—used in the couple’s wedding ceremony to symbolize unity—and stood before a painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The ribbon was tangled and knotted, just like Wolfgang’s marriage.

In an act both symbolic and deeply spiritual, Father Rem lifted the ribbon heavenward and began to untie each knot while praying for healing. As he worked through the ribbon with care, he asked Our Lady Undoer of Knots to intercede and smooth over the discord between husband and wife.

Miraculously, the couple reconciled. The once-twisted ribbon, now smooth and whole, became a sign of Mary’s gentle intervention. That simple but powerful moment sparked a devotion that would one day reach across centuries and continents.

The Painting of Our Lady Undoer of Knots in Augsburg

Years later, to commemorate this miracle, Hieronymus Ambrosius Langenmantel, Wolfgang’s grandson, commissioned a painting now famously known as Our Lady Undoer of Knots (Maria Knotenlöserin). Created by Johann Georg Melchior Schmidtner around 1700, the image now hangs in the Church of St. Peter am Perlach in Augsburg, Germany.

The painting shows the Blessed Virgin calmly untying the knots in a long white ribbon, assisted by angels. Below her, a defeated serpent lies underfoot—a reference to Genesis 3:15. Above her, the Holy Spirit hovers in the form of a dove.

The image visually captures the essence of the devotion: Mary, through her grace and maternal intercession, gently unravels the complications and spiritual blockages in our lives.

Why Devotion to Our Lady Undoer of Knots Resonates Today

The title Our Lady Undoer of Knots is deeply theological. It is inspired by the words of St. Irenaeus of Lyon, a 2nd-century Church Father, who wrote: “The knot of Eve’s disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary.” (Adversus Haereses, Book III, Chapter 22)

Mary’s “yes” to God untied the knot of sin that Eve had tied. Today, this same spiritual principle applies: through Mary’s intercession, the knots in our lives—sins, addictions, family divisions, anxieties—can be gently undone.

The devotion speaks to our modern condition. In a time filled with stress, brokenness, and confusion, Our Lady Undoer of Knots brings comfort, order, and hope.

How to Begin the Devotion to Our Lady Undoer of Knots

Many Catholics around the world now turn to Our Lady Undoer of Knots through novenas, rosaries, and personal prayer.

Here’s how to begin:

1. Pray the Novena to Our Lady Undoer of Knots – A 9-day prayer asking for her help with specific “knots” in your life.
2. Name Your Knots – Be honest and specific. Whether it’s a relationship issue, sin, financial burden, or emotional pain, entrust it to her.
3. Accompany Your Prayer with the Rosary – The Rosary enhances the grace and focus of the novena.
4. Practice Daily Surrender – Let go and allow Mary to work through her Son, Jesus Christ.

Many who have prayed this devotion testify to real healing, peace, and restored relationships.

A Prayer to Our Lady Undoer of Knots

One of the most widely used prayers in this devotion includes the plea:

“In your hands, there is no knot that cannot be undone.”

It is a reminder that no situation is too difficult for the Blessed Mother to take to her Son. Her maternal hands are steady, patient, and filled with grace.

Conclusion: Entrust Your Knots to Mary

The devotion to Our Lady Undoer of Knots is not about superstition—it is about trust. It is about giving Mary your twisted, tangled situations and asking her to gently smooth them out with the love of a mother and the power of a Queen.

Whether you are struggling with emotional burdens, broken family ties, persistent sin, or spiritual dryness, this devotion is for you.

Let us pray:

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for us. Take every knot that weighs on our hearts, and undo it—for the glory of God and the peace of our souls.