Pope Francis has had this great devotion to Our Lady under this title for many years. In 1986, when he was still Fr. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he travelled to Germany to complete his doctoral studies on the theology of Romano Guardini. During his stay there he visited St. Peter’s church in Augsburg and was so touched by the image that he brought a replica of it with him when he returned home to Argentina. He has continued invoking the Virgin Mary under this title throughout his years as a priest, auxiliary bishop, archbishop and then when named a cardinal. When Cardinal Ratzinger was elected as Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, Cardinal Begoglio had a silver chalice specially made for the German-born Pope as a gift, and had it engraved with the image of Our Lady, Undoer of Knots. The devotion has now spread throughout Argentina where there is a shrine in her honor, but also throughout many parts of South America and especially in Brazil.
When Cardinal Begoglio first introduced this devotion to the people of Argentina he composed this prayer:
Holy Mary, full of God’s presence during the days of your life, you accepted with full humility the Father’s will, and the Devil was never capable to tie you around with his confusion. Once with your son you interceded for our difficulties, and, full of kindness and patience you gave us example of how to untie the knots of our life. And by remaining forever Our Mother, you put in order, and make more clear the ties that link us to the Lord.
Holy Mother, Mother of God, and our Mother, to you, who untie with motherly heart the knots of our life, we pray to you to receive in your hands (the name of person), and to free him/her of the knots and confusion with which our enemy attacks.
Through your grace, your intercession, and your example, deliver us from all evil, Our Lady, and untie the knots that prevent us from being united with God, so that we, free from sin and error, may find Him in all things, may have our hearts placed in Him, and may serve Him always in our brothers and sisters. Amen
Holy Mary, Undoer of Knots, Pray for Us!
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