The Novena to Our Lady Undoer of Knots

A Brief History

Early in the 17th century, the noble Wolfgang Langenmantel and his wife, Sofia, began having trouble in their marriage. Having reached the point of considering divorce, they approached Fr. Jakob Rem, a Jesuit, who lived north of Augsburg Germany. Father Rem was known for his strong Marian devotion and his wise counsel. The couple made four visits to this priest to pray with him and receive his advice over a 28 day period. During the final visit, Fr. Rem was praying before an image of Our Lady and in a symbolic act raised the white wedding ribbon and presented it to Our Lady untying knots in the ribbon one by one as he did so. (At that time, it was common in the wedding ceremony for the couple to be draped and joined by a single white ribbon symbolizing their union. This is still done today in various forms in some cultures.) As the ribbon was presented to Our Lady, it became brilliant white. After this time spent in prayer and the intervention of Our Lady, the noble couple persevered in their marriage and was no longer in danger of divorce.