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 Venerable 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
through his remaining forty-one years of life.
As noted today at
the start of this new year, Pope Francis said that having a devotion to the
Blessed Virgin Mary isn’t just something that is nice or good to do, but is an
obligation in the life of a Christian (https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-on-new-years-day-devotion-to-mary-is-a-must-10900).