Our Lady Undoer of Knots Catholic Rosary Bracelet

- Niner Chaplet, Swarovski Lapis Pearls, Star Charm -

 

This rosary bracelet is dedicated to Our Lady Undoer of Knots—also known as Our Lady Untier of Knots. It features a lovely holy medal of this special aspect of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Swarovski gemstone glass pearls, and a complimentary laminated holy card. The medal is Italian-made from base metal and is nicely detailed. Reflecting the iconic colors of Our Lady as the Untier in the famous painting by Johann Schmidtner, the Swarovski pearls (made in Austria) are dark blue lapis and red coral in color. The holy card was, like the medal, made in Italy. It shows an adaptation of that famous painting and includes, on the back, Pope Francis' prayer of supplication. To learn more about this devotion and Schmidtner's painting, please see my "About" section at the end of this post.

Also included in this special adjustable chaplet bracelet are the following:

• One-inch extender chain
• TierraCast star charm (made in USA)
• TierraCast daisy spacers (made in USA)
• Sterling silver bead caps (made in USA)
• Swarovski clear crystals (made in Austria)
• Sterling silver twist crimps & wire guards (made in USA)
• Silver-tone lobster clasp (made in USA)
• 49-strand beading wire (made in USA)

The chaplet has the traditional niner style of three sets of three prayer beads. The basic length is 7.75 inches, with the extender adding another inch.

This lovely and meaningful chaplet bracelet was handmade by me with great care, thought, and best wishes for its destined wearer. It comes in a pretty organza bag, gift-wrapped and ready for giving to someone special, including yourself! It would make a wonderful gift for a Marian devotee or for anyone who is feeling "tied up" in anxiety and life's complications and might find help in a calming prayer/meditation aid.

ABOUT OUR LADY UNDOER OF KNOTS
The devotion to this aspect of the Blessed Virgin Mary owes its current popularity to Pope Francis, who learned about it when a theology student in Augsberg, Germany. There, in the Church of St. Peter, he was drawn to an early 18th century painting by Johann Schmidtner, which depicts the Virgin Mary with a starry crown above her, a crescent moon below her, and a long white knotted ribbon in her hand. She stands on the moon, crushing the head of a serpent (Satan) while working to untie the ribbon's knots.

The Pope adopted the devotion and later shared it with Catholic congregations when working as archbishop in Buenos Aires. Our Lady Undoer of Knots became highly popular, and the devotion has spread to Catholics around the world. The origin of this worship is likely found in the theology of St. Irenaeus, who lived in Roman times; however, the devotion seems tailored for contemporary times. The complexities of our lives today often make us feel knotted up—tense, anxious, and even desperate.

In the novena prayer to Our Lady, the supplicant takes refuge in the Undoer, asking her to help with a particular problem ("knot") that is causing stress and anxiety and needs resolving ("untying"). The theme of freedom from the bindings of hopelessness and despair gives the novena a universal quality. The metaphor of a person's life as a ribbon knotted with painful difficulties and problems to unloose is a spiritual poetry applicable to anyone, regardless of religion. Our Lady Undoer of Knots presents a beautiful image, and a beautiful meaning as well.

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