Our Lady Undoer of Knots Novena – 9 Days of Prayer

Powerful nine-day novena to Mary who unties the complicated knots in our lives — beloved by Pope Francis

Our Lady Undoer of Knots is a devotion in which Mary takes the tangled knots of our lives, such as quarrels, fears and impossible situations, and gently unties them. The image, painted in Germany in the early 1700s, became widely loved after Pope Francis popularised it. This novena asks Mary to help with the knots you cannot loosen yourself. It is often prayed for family, marriage and confusion. It is linked here to the Immaculate Conception on December 8. If you are not sure where the trouble begins, simply bring the whole tangle and let the prayer slow you down.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception · December 89 daysfeast

A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer. Begin nine days before the feast (December 8) and finish on its eve. You can pray this novena at any time of year.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

Open in the app App Store Google Play

Our Lady Undoer of Knots Novena – prayer for all nine days

Intention: For the Untying of All Problems, Complications, and Spiritual Knots

Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children — I come to you today to place in your hands the knots of my life.

Mary, Undoer of Knots, my heart is troubled by a tangle I cannot undo on my own. There are complications in my life — in my relationships, my past, my heart — that I do not know how to resolve.

But you, Holy Mother, can untie what I cannot. You intercede before God with power and love, and nothing is impossible for you through the grace of your Son.

(Pause here to mention your intentions)

I place in your hands the knot I carry today. Undo it with the threads of your grace. Smooth out the difficulties before me. Give me patience to trust your timing and wisdom to follow your guidance.

Mary, Undoer of Knots, receive my prayer. Bring it before your Son Jesus, who is able to do far more than all I ask or imagine. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for us.

Pray this prayer once a day for nine days in a row.

Traditional Catholic Prayer — Popularized by Pope Francis · Based on the painting "Mary Undoer of Knots" (1700) by Johann Georg Melchior Schmidtner

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Frequently asked questions

When should I start the Our Lady Undoer of Knots Novena?

Begin on November 29 to end on December 7, the eve of the feast on December 8, or start on any day when a problem feels tangled.

How do I pray the Our Lady Undoer of Knots Novena?

Pray the daily prayer once a day and name one knot. Some people hold a cord and tie or untie a knot as they pray.

Who is the Our Lady Undoer of Knots Novena for?

It is for anyone with a complicated problem, family conflict or confusion.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

Open in the app App Store Google Play