Undoer of knots.

Today is the Assumption of Mary in the Catholic Church, the day that commemorates Mary being assumed bodily into heaven, and normally a Day of Obligation in the church -- at least in places in the United States that have a lot of Catholics, like New York. However, when it falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, as this year, the obligation is abrogated. It's still recommended that we go to church, as Father pointed out yesterday.

One of Mary's less-known titles is Our Lady, Undoer of Knots. This is one that gets people's attention, maybe fishermen the most. It's an odd title, and of course there's a story to go with it. 

According to the Holy Rosary site, 

To show us the mission granted to the Virgin Mary by Her Son, artist Johann Melchior Georg Schmittdner painted Mary Undoer of Knots with great grace. Since 1700, His painting has been venerated in the Church of St. Peter in Perlack, Augsburg, Germany. It was originally inspired by a meditation of Saint Irenaeus (Bishop of Lyon and martyred in 202) based on the parallel made by Saint Paul between Adam and Christ. Saint Irenaeus, in turn, made a comparison between Eve and Mary, saying: “Eve, by her disobedience, tied the knot of disgrace for the human race; whereas Mary, by her obedience, undid it”.

The devotion to Mary is to untie the knots that hold us down, chain us to sin, threaten our families, make us confused and feel hopeless. I know a couple of women who, while not super-Catholic, are devoted to Mary as Undoer of Knots, and say they have found great peace through her.  

Sometimes you see a dedication to Mary under this title, as in this stained glass, but it's not typical. 

While Mary's concern is to undo spiritual knots (not cut or slash, but remove with care), I can imagine that fishermen, sailors, and Boy Scouts might have recourse to her, sure. I have a rosary that often seems to get knotted up in its little box, but sure enough the knot comes right out with a little tug.