History and spread of the painting

In the 1980s, when Jorge Mario Bergoglio was a priest in Buenos Aires, during a trip to Germany he discovered the painting and decided to bring copies back to Argentina. These soon became objects of veneration, first in his own country and then in the rest of the world. 

Mary, Undoer of Knots, is depicted in 18th‑century Germany in a painting by the artist Johann Melchior Schmidtner. The painting is located in Augsburg, in the church of St. Peter am Perlach, where it is displayed today.

In the painting, Mary is intent on untying a ribbon that was probably the “marriage ribbon” of a couple who had avoided divorce; over time this specific meaning was lost, but the devotion to Mary, Undoer of Knots, remained. In the painting, Mary appears suspended between heaven and earth, wrapped in light and clothed with the sun, where the light of heaven, which seems to come from the Holy Spirit, contrasts with the darkness of the earth. 

The Virgin, with her hands, unties the knots of a ribbon while being assisted by angels, in particular two: one offers her a ribbon on which there are knots, and the other angel receives the ribbon completely smooth and freed from the knots that represent the human condition of sin and the difficulties encountered in life. Under her feet, Mary crushes the serpent as a sign of God’s victory over the devil. 

At the bottom of the painting is the Archangel Raphael holding the hand of Tobias, who is carrying a fish and is accompanied by his dog. 

Supplication to 

Mary, Undoer of Knots

Virgin Mary, Mother of God and my Mother, to you I raise my supplication for the graces I need: you can obtain everything, you who said “yes” to the will of the Most High.

To you, Mother, I entrust myself and place all my suffering, certain that in your arms I am no longer alone; I come to you for the sufferings and sorrows that afflict my life, for which I ask you to listen to me and to intercede for me with your Son.

O Mary, guide me in my life, protect me from dangers, support me in the face of difficulties and free me from the tangle of problems that suffocate me every day.

Mary, undo the knots present in my life, which make me sad and lead me away from the Faith: undo the knots in my relationships with my brothers and my neighbor, the knots that generate resentment and a lack of harmony and peace within me, the knots of my soul on which Satan sinks his claws to tempt me to commit evil.

O Mary, undo the knots present in my family, which create ill feelings and conflicts between husband and wife, between parents and children, between brothers and sisters; undo the knots of the illnesses that afflict my body and my mind, sustain me in trial and help me to accept the plan that God has for my life; intercede with God so that my family and I may have our daily bread and sustain us in the labors of my work, which I place under your protection.

For all this, O glorious and blessed Virgin, I implore you; may your love be poured into my heart and make me a better person.

Mary, hear my supplication!

source: https://www.mariachescioglieinodi.eu

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