Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots
Feast: No fixed feast
When to pray: Any nine consecutive days. A novena is prayed on nine consecutive days.
Prayer for each day
Mary, Undoer of Knots, you untied with your 'yes' what Eve's disobedience tied. Take this knot into your hands, untie it by your Son's grace, and give me peace. Amen.
Day by day
Day 1: Naming the knot
Cast thy care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall not suffer the just to waver for ever.
Ps 54:23 [Ps 55:22], Douay-Rheims
Holy Mary, Undoer of Knots, I bring you the knot in my life that I cannot untie by myself. I name it honestly before God. Cast my care upon the Lord, as the psalm teaches, and help me trust that he will sustain me. Present this knot to your Son. Amen.
Day 2: Eve's knot untied by Mary's obedience
And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:38, Douay-Rheims
Holy Mary, the knot of Eve's disobedience was loosed by your obedience, when you said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Teach me to say yes to God in the places where I have said no, so that my own knots may begin to loosen. Amen.
Day 3: Knots in marriage
Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.
Matt 19:6, Douay-Rheims
Holy Mary, what God has joined together, let no man put asunder. I entrust to you every marriage burdened by misunderstanding, coldness or hurt. Untie the knots between husbands and wives, renew their love, and keep them faithful to their vows. Amen.
Day 4: Knots in family
Bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another. Even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also.
Col 3:13, Douay-Rheims
Holy Mary, mother of the Holy Family, untie the knots in my family: old quarrels, silence, resentment and distance. Help us to bear with one another and forgive one another, as the Lord has forgiven us. Amen.
Day 5: Knots of habit and sin
Unhappy man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? The grace of God, by Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, I myself, with the mind serve the law of God: but with the flesh, the law of sin.
Rom 7:24-25, Douay-Rheims
Holy Mary, some knots are habits of sin that hold me fast. With St Paul I ask who shall deliver me, and I answer: the grace of God, by Jesus Christ our Lord. Pray for me, that I may be set free and lead me to a good confession. Amen.
Day 6: Knots of fear
Fear not, for I am with thee: turn not aside, for I am thy God: I have strengthened thee, and have helped thee, and the right hand of my just one hath upheld thee.
Isa 41:10, Douay-Rheims
Holy Mary, fear ties my heart in knots. The Lord says, Fear not, for I am with thee. Loose the grip of anxiety on my soul, and teach me to rest in God's care, one day at a time. Amen.
Day 7: Knots of money and work
Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matt 6:33, Douay-Rheims
Holy Mary, I bring you the knots of money and work: debt, uncertainty and worry about providing for others. Help me to seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, to work honestly, and to trust that the Father knows what I need. Amen.
Day 8: Forgiveness
And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
Matt 6:12, Douay-Rheims
Holy Mary, a knot that is never untied is the refusal to forgive. Help me to forgive those who have wronged me, as I ask God to forgive my own trespasses. Heal the memories that still hurt, and give me a merciful heart. Amen.
Day 9: Freedom and thanks
If therefore the son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
John 8:36, Douay-Rheims
Holy Mary, Undoer of Knots, if the Son makes us free, we shall be free indeed. I thank God for every knot already untied, and I trust him with those that remain. Keep me close to your Son, who alone sets us free. Amen.
Scripture
Douay-Rheims numbering (modern in brackets): Col 3:13; Isa 41:10; John 8:36; Luke 1:38; Matt 19:6; Matt 6:12; Matt 6:33; Ps 54:23 [Ps 55:22]; Rom 7:24-25. Scripture index
Source
Written for The Crusade, 2026. How we check sources