Mary Undoer of Knots Novena: 9-Day Prayer
Pray the Mary Undoer of Knots novena over nine days, with a daily prayer, a simple order of prayer, and guidance on how to present your knot to Mary.
Opening prayer (each day)
Holy Mary, Mother of God and our mother, you know every worry I carry. Today I begin this novena trusting in your gentle care. Here I name my knot: a trouble, a wound, a worry, or a relationship I cannot untangle alone. Take it in your maternal hands and bring it to Jesus, who alone can set me free. Untie what keeps me from God, and help me to find him in all things. Amen.
Closing prayer (each day)
Mother of Good Counsel, pray for us. Mary, Undoer of Knots, I place my trust in you and in your Son. Give me patience while I wait, courage while I struggle, and peace whatever the outcome. Thy will be done. Amen.
Day 1: Mary, Mother of Mercy
Mary, Mother of Mercy, look kindly on me today. I bring you the knots in my life, the ones I can name and the ones I cannot. Teach me to be merciful to others, who carry knots of their own. Ask your Son to grow mercy in my heart.
Day 2: Mary, Seat of Wisdom
Mary, Seat of Wisdom, I am tangled in confusion and do not know which way to turn. Ask the Holy Spirit to give me clear sight and good judgment. Help me choose with patience, and to speak kindly and wisely to others.
Day 3: Mary, Mother of Purity
Mary, Mother of Purity, you gave your whole self to God. Cleanse my thoughts, my eyes and my desires. Untie the knots of temptation and shame, and help me to love with a clean and honest heart.
Day 4: Mary, Mother of Fair Love
Mary, Mother of Fair Love, teach me to love without selfishness. Where relationships are strained or broken, ask Jesus to loosen the bitterness and bring us back to one another. Make my love patient and generous.
Day 5: Mary, Queen of Peace
Mary, Queen of Peace, my mind is restless and my heart is heavy. Place your hand on my worries. Ask Jesus to give me his peace in every situation, and keep me from losing hope when things do not change quickly.
Day 6: Mary, Mother of Justice
Mary, Mother of Justice, help me to be fair to God and to my neighbor. Show me where I have failed to give others what is due to them, and give me courage to make it right with a humble heart.
Day 7: Mary, Queen of the Family
Mary, Queen of the Family, watch over my home. Untie the knots of arguments, silence and worry between us. Make me a blessing to the people who live with me, and let God's love be seen in our daily life.
Day 8: Mary, Untier of Knots
Mary, Untier of Knots, today I try to see every knot that keeps me from God. I will not carry them alone. One by one I place them in your hands, so that Jesus may undo them in his own time and way.
Day 9: Mary, Queen of Heaven
Mary, Queen of Heaven, you stood with the disciples in prayer as they waited for the Holy Spirit. Pray with me now. Help me to trust God to the end, to turn away from sin, and to lead others closer to your Son.
How to Pray This Novena
A novena is a prayer said for nine days in a row, following the nine days the apostles and Mary spent in prayer between the Ascension and Pentecost. This novena asks the Virgin Mary, under the title Undoer of Knots, to bring our difficulties to her Son. A "knot" is any tangle in life: a family conflict, an illness, a fear, a habit, a decision that will not become clear.
A simple order of prayer for each day:
- Make the Sign of the Cross and say an Act of Contrition.
- Say the opening prayer above and name your knot.
- Pray the Rosary, or if you are short on time, one decade (an Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be).
- Pray the day's prayer.
- Say the closing prayer.
The daily themes follow the titles of Mary used in common versions of this novena, such as Mother of Mercy, Seat of Wisdom and Queen of Peace. The day prayers on this page are our own, written for this site, because we did not find a single standard wording that is shared by every source. You are free to use a longer version from your parish or from a prayer book.
When to start: begin whenever you need it. The most important thing is to keep going until the ninth day. If you miss a day, simply carry on and finish. Pray with honesty and patience: Mary does not promise the outcome you imagine, but she does promise to bring you to Jesus.
Scripture to Pray With
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
John 2:5 (KJV)
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.
Luke 1:38 (KJV)
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Matthew 7:7 (KJV)
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22 (KJV)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mary Undoer of Knots novena?
It is a nine-day prayer asking Mary, under the title Undoer of Knots, to take your problems to Jesus. Each day you present a "knot" in your life and pray for the grace named for that day.
How do you pray the Mary Undoer of Knots novena?
Each day make the Sign of the Cross, say an Act of Contrition, name your knot, pray the Rosary or one decade, and close with a prayer to Mary. Keep going for all nine days.
How long does the novena take each day?
The full Rosary version takes about twenty minutes or more. A shorter version with one decade and the day's prayer takes about ten minutes, and the main thing is to persevere to the ninth day.
Can I pray the novena for someone else?
Yes. You can name another person's trouble as your knot, and ask Mary to bring that person's need to Jesus.
What if I miss a day?
Do not worry. Pick up where you left off and finish the nine days. God cares about your sincerity more than perfect timing.
Last updated 2026-11-01