Father Ramiro Cortez, OMI, pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Del Rio, TX, recently presided at the enthronement in his parish church of an image of the Virgin Mary under the title, “Untier of Knots” (from the German Maria Knotenselorin).
Mario H. Ibertis Rivera, founder and director of the international devotion to the Virgin Mary Untier of Knots, donated the picture to the parish. Archbishop Patrick Flores of San Antonio wrote a letter to the parish, sending his blessings for the May 28, 2003, celebration.
The devotion goes back to an ancient story out of Germany about a couple that was having many marital problems. It was a tradition in Germany that at Catholic weddings, the couple would “tie the knot” in a ribbon to symbolize their union before Christ. An elderly Jesuit priest urged the warring couple to ask for Mary’s intercession in “untying the knots” that had blemished their wedding ribbon. According to "Maria Knotenselorin The True Story,” the couple prayed to Mary. Their knotted and wrinkled ribbon became white and smooth.
Thus began a devotion to Mary as Untier of Knots, the knots of everyday problems and oppressions that each person experiences.
After the couple passed away many years later, their son became the parish priest in the Church of St. Peter am Perlach in Germany. As an act of thanksgiving, he donated a beautiful image of Our Lady untying knots to the church. Many years later this devotion spread to Buenos Aires Argentina in an even greater manner, and now to the United States.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Del Rio Texas has the privilege to have enthroned the first Image of The Virgin Mary Untier of Knots for the very first time in the United States.
For more information please contact Henry and Rosie Aguilar: malyki@delriolive.com Tel. 830-768-0803 or visit the International website of The Virgin Mary Untier of Knots at : www.desatadora.com.ar