In May, Mary’s month, try praying to “Mary who undoes knots”

The devotion to Mary Undoer of Knots is a recent and now widespread devotion. In the last thirty years, it has become popular in all countries, from Latin America to the other continents.

This is significant. Father Zacharie Kpossou, pastor of St. Mary Mother of God Parish in Gangban, Benin, notes: "It is remarkable to see that Mary Undoer of Knots speaks to every man and woman, young and old, of all ages and in all places."

This year, and especially during the month of May, Mary of Nazareth wishes to promote this newer and yet superficially-known devotion. Many have heard that Pope Francis was the first to introduce it - before his pontificate - and have seen the image of the original painting, but might not know the story behind this devotion and why it suddenly re-emerged from the shadows after three centuries. 

It is important to go back to the original story, which was a "marital miracle": a couple on the brink of divorce, although fervent Catholics, in 17th-century Germany, whose marriage was saved by Mary, and whose descendant later commissioned the famous painting from Bavarian Baroque painter Johann Georg Melchior Schmidtner (1625-1705). 

During the month of May, A Moment with Mary will bring you several articles to present the history of this devotion, its spiritual teachings, its powerful results, and a few testimonials. 

The unique story of this devotion reveals to us how our admirable Mother, the Virgin Mary, exercises her spiritual and universal motherhood in our daily lives.

The Mary of Nazareth editorial team