Mary, Untier of Knots
Maria Als Knotenlöserin
This devotion became known in the 18th century, originally for help in a difficult marriage. In the early 17th century, a noble couple were on the brink of divorce, and their priest prayed before Our Lady of Victory, holding up a ribbon (symbolic of the ribbon placed over the hands of a briday couple) praying that all the knots in the marriage might be ironed out. The marriage was saved. Some years later, a priest relative of theirs, Hieronymus Ambrosius Langenmantel(1666-1709) of Augsburg, commissioned this painting for a family altar.
Spirit Daily had an article recently about Mary Undoer of Knots, and parts of it are worth pasting here, as the devotion goes beyond marital problems, and can be used during many other kinds of crisis.
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There's a fascinating painting that has been venerated in a church in Perlach, Germany, since 1700. It was painted by an unknown artist and apparently inspired by a meditation made by St. Irenaeus -- who once said: "Eve, by her disobedience, tied the knot of disgrace for the human race; to the contrary, Mary, by her obedience, undid it."
There we have it. Mary, Undoer of Knots. Now that's a title for her! Mary, help when there is no way out. The image shows Mary with a crown of 12 stars and a fluttering blue mantle. Around her are angels. Beneath her feet is the serpent -- the one who ensnares and entangles.
The point: when Mary is invoked, she untangles our knots and it is then the serpent who is tangled!
As is also readily observed, one of the angels in the painting holds the ribbon of your life as the Blessed Mother calmly and easily goes about straightening out all the knots in it.
A mysterious and beautiful image this is! Usually we think of the knots in our lives as particular troubling situations, but they are also problems we have had for years, perhaps deep hurts between husband and wife, anger, resentment, sinful inclinations, the absence of peace and joy at home.
This, apparently, is where Mary Undoer (or "untier") of Knots comes in.
A knot can be a son addicted to drugs. It can be alcoholism. It can be guilt. It can be fear or depression or unemployment.
The point is that Mary comes to our aid in many circumstances.
"Knots are original sin and its consequences in all areas of family, work, and community life," points out the tiny novena pamphlet. In the painting, we see that while one angel hands the Blessed Mother a knotted ribbon, another to her right is taking the untangled part and perhaps preparing to return to earth below with it.
In the darkness of earth is seen a person who is led by an angel to a church at the top of a mountain. This, says one interpretation, is the Archangel Raphael who accompanies Tobias to meet Sarah, the one chosen to be his wife. Sarah is unburdened from a great "knot" which blocks her happiness. "By the mediation of the Archangel Raphael, God unites Sarah to Tobias, showing us that humility, trust, and faith in God is what moves the Divine Hands in our lives," says the explanation for the mysterious art. "This extraordinary story is present in this painting to show us that 'Mary the Undoer of Knots' grants innumerable graces to matrimony and powerfully intercedes for the reconciliation of families."
When Raphael is involved, there is healing!
Again we hear an echo of the words: "In prayer you shall perceive the greatest joy and the way out of every situation that has no exit."
Think of it: even when intellectually we can't figure out a resolution or means of escape, God can turn things around in such a way that there is a sudden opening and there are angels and we are suddenly saved. (Michael Brown)
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I don't have the novena booklet, as it only seems avaiable in English in the USA, but anyone interested might like to visit
http://www.desatadora.com.ar/desata-i.htm[Modificato da Wulfrune 31/08/2006 18.38]