Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

Icon of Mary Undoer of Knots by Johann George Melchior Schmidtner.
Baroque icon of Maria Knotenlöserin (Mary Undoer of Knots) by Johann George Melchior Schmidtner (c. 1700, oil on poplar), in the Church of St. Peter am Perlach, Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany. Public domain

 The Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots (also known as the Novena to Mary, Untier of Knots, or the Novena to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots) was inspired by a German baroque icon (pictured here). The icon features the Blessed Virgin Mary, surrounded by the heavenly host and under a dove representing the Holy Spirit, undoing knots while crushing the head of the serpent under her heel.

The Ancient Roots of the Novena

Both the icon and the devotion to Mary, Undoer of Knots, trace their roots to a passage from a famous work, Against Heresies, by a second-century bishopSaint Irenaeus of Lyons. In discussing Mary's role as the Second Eve, Saint Irenaeus writes that "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."

Conquering Sin Through Mary's Intercession

In popular devotion, this image was extended to the Blessed Virgin's intercession for us in Heaven. The knot is a good representation of the results of sin in our spiritual life: As we engage habitually in sin, it becomes harder and harder to return to virtue, just as a knot that is pulled tighter and tighter becomes harder to untie. God's grace, however, offered to us through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, can undo any knot and conquer any sin.

How to Pray the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

The instructions for praying each day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots, can be found below. Please note that there is a first part, composed of three steps, followed by a separate meditation for each day of the novena; after the day's meditation, there is a second part of the novena, composed of three steps. 

01
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First Part of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

  1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
  2. Make an Act of Contrition. You can use any form; simply ask God to pardon your sins and make a firm purpose of amendment not to commit them again.
  3. Pray the first three decades of the rosary, with the appropriate mysteries for the day: JoyfulSorrowfulGlorious.
02
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Second Day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

On the second day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots, we ask the Blessed Virgin to intercede with Christ for us, that we may abandon our sinful life and take up the virtues that help us to grow in the image and likeness of God.

Meditation for the Second Day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

Mary, Beloved Mother, channel of all grace, I return to You today my heart, recognizing that I am a sinner in need of your help. Many times I lose the graces you grant me because of my sins of egoism, pride, rancor and my lack of generosity and humility. I turn to You today, Mary, Undoer of knots, for You to ask your Son Jesus to grant me a pure, divested, humble and trusting heart. I will live today practicing these virtues and offering you this as a sign of my love for You. I entrust into Your hands this knot [mention your request here] which keeps me from reflecting the glory of God.

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

Second Part of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

  1. Pray the last two decades of the rosary, with the appropriate mysteries for the day: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious.
  2. Pray the Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots.
  3. End with the Sign of the Cross.
03
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Third Day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

On the third day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots, we acknowledge that the knots in our life are often self-made, even when they appear to be caused by others. Our actions provoke others, who provoke us, which leads us to anger and resentment against those we have provoked. The very description of the circumstances sounds like the tying of a knot!

First Part of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

  1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
  2. Make an Act of Contrition. You can use any form; simply ask God to pardon your sins and make a firm purpose of amendment not to commit them again.
  3. Pray the first three decades of the rosary, with the appropriate mysteries for the day:  Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious.

Meditation for the Third Day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

Meditating Mother, Queen of heaven, in whose hands the treasures of the King are found, turn your merciful eyes upon me today. I entrust into your holy hands this knot in my life [mention your request here] and all the rancor and resentment it has caused in me. I ask Your forgiveness, God the Father, for my sin. Help me now to forgive all the persons who consciously or unconsciously provoked this knot. Give me, also, the grace to forgive me for having provoked this knot. Only in this way can You undo it. Before You, dearest Mother, and in the name of Your Son Jesus, my Savior, who has suffered so many offenses, having been granted forgiveness, I now forgive these persons [mention their names here] and myself, forever. Thank you, Mary, Undoer of Knots for undoing the knot of rancor in my heart and the knot which I now present to you. Amen.

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

Second Part of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

  1. Pray the last two decades of the rosary, with the appropriate mysteries for the day: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious.
  2. Pray the Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots.
  3. End with the Sign of the Cross.
04
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Fourth Day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

On the fourth day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots, we pray for the strength to overcome our spiritual paralysis, which prevents us from working through the knots in our spiritual life.

First Part of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

  1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
  2. Make an Act of Contrition. You can use any form; simply ask God to pardon your sins and make a firm purpose of amendment not to commit them again.
  3. Pray the first three decades of the rosary, with the appropriate mysteries for the day:  Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious.

Meditation for the Fourth Day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

Dearest Holy Mother, you are generous with all who seek you, have mercy on me. I entrust into your hands this knot which robs the peace of my heart, paralyzes my soul and keeps me from going to my Lord and serving Him with my life. Undo this knot in my love [mention your request here], O Mother, and ask Jesus to heal my paralytic faith, which gets downhearted with the stones on the road. Along with you, dearest Mother, may I see these stones as friends. Not murmuring against them anymore but giving endless thanks for them, may I smile trustingly in your power.

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

Second Part of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

  1. Pray the last two decades of the rosary, with the appropriate mysteries for the day: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious.
  2. Pray the Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots.
  3. End with the Sign of the Cross.
05
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Fifth Day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

On the fifth day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots, we ask Mary to intercede for us, that Christ may send His Holy Spirit upon us. Just as the Blessed Virgin and the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, changing their lives forever, we hope to abandon all of our vices and embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

First Part of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

  1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
  2. Make an Act of Contrition. You can use any form; simply ask God to pardon your sins and make a firm purpose of amendment not to commit them again.
  3. Pray the first three decades of the rosary, with the appropriate mysteries for the day:  Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious.

Meditation for the Fifth Day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

Mother, Undoer of Knots, generous and compassionate, I come to You today to once again entrust this knot [mention your request here] in my life to you and to ask the divine wisdom to undo, under the light of the Holy Spirit, this snarl of problems. No one ever saw you angry; to the contrary, your words were so charged with sweetness that the Holy Spirit was manifested on your lips. Take away from me the bitterness, anger, and hatred which this knot has caused me. Give me, O dearest Mother, some of the sweetness and wisdom that is all silently reflected in your heart. And just as you were present at Pentecost, ask Jesus to send me a new presence of the Holy Spirit at this moment in my life. Holy Spirit, come upon me!

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

Second Part of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

  1. Pray the last two decades of the rosary, with the appropriate mysteries for the day: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious.
  2. Pray the Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots.
  3. End with the Sign of the Cross.
06
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Sixth Day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

On the sixth day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots, we acknowledge that God will answer our prayers in His time, not ours; and we ask Mary to intercede for us that we may have the patience to wait. At the same time, we acknowledge that we have our part to play, as well, in receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Confession, so that when our prayers are answered, we may have the grace to receive the answer with gratitude and thanksgiving.

First Part of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

  1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
  2. Make an Act of Contrition. You can use any form; simply ask God to pardon your sins and make a firm purpose of amendment not to commit them again.
  3. Pray the first three decades of the rosary, with the appropriate mysteries for the day:  Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious.

Meditation for the Sixth Day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

Queen of Mercy, I entrust to you this knot in my life [mention your request here] and I ask you to give me a heart that is patient until you undo it. Teach me to persevere in the living word of Jesus, in the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Confession; stay with me and prepare my heart to celebrate with the angels the grace that will be granted to me. Amen! Alleluia!

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

Second Part of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

  1. Pray the last two decades of the rosary, with the appropriate mysteries for the day: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious.
  2. Pray the Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots.
  3. End with the Sign of the Cross.
07
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Seventh Day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

On the seventh day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots, the meditation recalls the icon of Mary Undoer of Knots, in which the Blessed Virgin, the Second Eve, crushes the head of the serpent beneath her heel. Freed from the power of demons, we reaffirm our allegiance to Christ.

First Part of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

  1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
  2. Make an Act of Contrition. You can use any form; simply ask God to pardon your sins and make a firm purpose of amendment not to commit them again.
  3. Pray the first three decades of the rosary, with the appropriate mysteries for the day:  Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious.

Meditation for the Seventh Day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

Mother Most Pure, I come to You today to beg you to undo this knot in my life [mention your request here] and free me from the snares of evil. God has granted you great power over all the demons. I renounce all of them today, every connection I have had with them, and I proclaim Jesus as my one and only Lord and Savior. Mary, Undoer of Knots, crush the Evil One's head and destroy the traps he has set for me by this knot. Thank you, dearest Mother. Most Precious Blood of Jesus, free me!

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

Second Part of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

  1. Pray the last two decades of the rosary, with the appropriate mysteries for the day: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious.
  2. Pray the Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots.
  3. End with the Sign of the Cross.
08
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Eighth Day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

On the eighth day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots, the meditation recalls the Visitation, when the Blessed Virgin, awash in the joy of the Annunciation, went to minister to her cousin Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Mary brought the Spirit to Elizabeth and to the unborn John, and we ask her to intercede with Christ that He may send His Spirit upon us.

First Part of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

  1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
  2. Make an Act of Contrition. You can use any form; simply ask God to pardon your sins and make a firm purpose of amendment not to commit them again.
  3. Pray the first three decades of the rosary, with the appropriate mysteries for the day:  Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious.

Meditation for the Eighth Day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

Virgin Mother of God, overflowing with mercy, have mercy on your child and undo this knot [mention your request here] in my life. I need your visit to my life like you visited Elizabeth. Bring me Jesus, bring me the Holy Spirit. Teach me to practice the virtues of courage, joyfulness, humility, and faith, and, like Elizabeth, to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Make me joyfully rest on your bosom, Mary. I consecrate you as my mother, queen, and friend. I give you my heart and everything I have—my home and family, my material and spiritual goods. I am yours forever. Put your heart in me so that I can do everything Jesus tells me.

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

Second Part of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

  1. Pray the last two decades of the rosary, with the appropriate mysteries for the day: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious.
  2. Pray the Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots.
  3. End with the Sign of the Cross.
09
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Ninth Day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

On the ninth day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots, we thank the Blessed Virgin for her intercession throughout this novena, which we hope will lead to our prayers being answered and the knots in our life being undone.

First Part of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

  1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
  2. Make an Act of Contrition. You can use any form; simply ask God to pardon your sins and make a firm purpose of amendment not to commit them again.
  3. Pray the first three decades of the rosary, with the appropriate mysteries for the day:  Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious.

Meditation for the Ninth Day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

Most Holy Mary, our Advocate, Undoer of Knots, I come today to thank you for undoing this knot in my life.

[Mention your request here]

You know very well the suffering it has caused me. Thank you for coming, Mother, with your long fingers of mercy to dry the tears in my eyes; you receive me in your arms and make it possible for me to receive once again the divine grace. Mary, Undoer of Knots, dearest Mother, I thank you for undoing the knots in my life. Wrap me in your mantle of love, keep me under your protection, enlighten me with your peace! Amen.

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

Second Part of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots

  1. Pray the last two decades of the rosary, with the appropriate mysteries for the day: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious.
  2. Pray the Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots.
  3. End with the Sign of the Cross.
10
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Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots (And a Shorter Version of the Novena)

Each day of the Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots ends with this closing prayer, which you can also pray by itself for nine days for a shorter version of the novena. In this prayer, we recall how Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, cooperates with her Son, Jesus Christ, in interceding for us.

Prayer to Mary, Undoer of Knots

Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exists in your heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exist in my life. You know very well how desperate I am, my pain, and how I am bound by these knots. 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. No one, not even the Evil One himself, can take it away from your precious care. 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.

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ThoughtCo. "Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots." Learn Religions, Apr. 5, 2023, learnreligions.com/mary-undoer-of-knots-novena-4010853. ThoughtCo. (2023, April 5). Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/mary-undoer-of-knots-novena-4010853 ThoughtCo. "Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/mary-undoer-of-knots-novena-4010853 (accessed March 19, 2024).