Mary Unties Knots
Writing on the British Jesuits’ site Thinking Faith, Hedwig Lewis, SJ, gives more background on the devotion to Mary the Untier (or Undoer) of Knots, which Pope Francis has promoted for years. You can also visit a website about the devotion. The devotion is especially appropriate for “problems and struggles we face for which we do not see any solution:”
Knots of discord in our family, lack of understanding between parents and children, disrespect, violence, the knots of deep hurts between husband and wife, the absence of peace and joy at home. They are also the knots of anguish and despair of separated couples, the dissolution of the family, the knots of a drug addict son or daughter, sick or separated from home or God, knots of alcoholism, the practice of abortion, depression, unemployment, fear, solitude. . .
As
readers of biographical articles and books about Matt Talbot are quite aware, Matt
developed a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother from the time of signing the
pledge to give up alcohol.
One
particular devotion that Pope Francis has promoted for many years is to "Mary the
Untier (or Undoer) of Knots" for a wide range of personal struggles such as
“…knots of discord in our family, lack of understanding between parents and
children, disrespect, violence, the knots of deep hurts between husband and
wife, the absence of peace and joy at home. They are also the knots of anguish
and despair of separated couples, the dissolution of the family, the knots of a
drug addict son or daughter, sick or separated from home or God, knots of
alcoholism, the practice of abortion, depression, unemployment, fear, solitude.
. .”