The Star of Wittenberg
Katharina von Bora was the wife of Martin Luther, one of the leading characters of the Reformation, and an ex-nun who helped establish the norms of clerical marriage in sixteenth-century Germany. Not just married to the “great Reformer,” Katharina was a reformer herself—a strong woman of the medieval ages who was instrumental in many aspects of shaping the Lutheran faith.
Born in 1499 to a poor German nobleman and his wife, Katharina “Katie” was sent away at a young age to be raised by Benedictine nuns. Her mother died at a young age, and the convent would provide her the security and education needed for a young woman. At nine years old, she was moved to the Cistercian convent in Nimbschen where she became a nun. But Katie, like other nuns in her convent, became familiar with the spreading Reformation in Germany and were convinced of Luther’s teachings. In 1523 she conspired with her fellow sisters to write to Luther and ask for his help in leaving the monastery.
Legend tells that Luther worked with a fish merchant who was familiar with the monastery to hide the nuns in empty barrels. This is how it is said that Katie and her sisters escaped to Wittenberg. Luther worked to place the women in new homes, jobs, or marriages, but Katie did not have any prospects. While men were interested in her, she declined their proposals. Finally, she told a friend and colleague of Luther, Nicholas von Amsdorf, that if it were up to her, she would marry him or Luther.
While uncertain, Luther agreed to the idea and in June 1525 they were married (He was 41, and she was 26). For Luther this was not only a chance to provide for a nun whom he had helped escape from her former life but also an opportunity to exemplify what married clergy could look like, as these had not existed in the West. After all, Luther had been adamant about the pitfalls of clerical celibacy and encouraged priests to take up wives.
Together they lived a very happy married life, recorded in Luther’s writings, where he was often greatly affectionate toward his wife and spoke highly of her. Some of his nicknames for her included “my Katie, “my rib,” and “my kette.” They lived in the former cloister of the Augustinians in Wittenberg, a building given as a gift to Luther from Elector John. Katie’s new vocation was not only as a wife but also as a mother and a hard-working household manager. Luther was grateful for Katie’s industry and work around the home as she took care of their six children, several foster children, Katharina’s sister and children, as well as other tenants, travelers, and the frequent visitors who came to see her husband.
Katharina was clearly a needed and helpful addition to Luther’s life. Apparently at the time of their wedding, the straw in Luther’s bed hadn’t been changed for a year and was rotting from moisture. Because of her farming, she could supplement Luther’s income so that they could survive financially. Since there was a brewery at the parsonage, Katie made and sold beer, as well. She kept her family’s finances in order, and Martin Luther trusted her with everything. Due to her hard work and tendency to rise early in the morning to get all her tasks done, he also called her his “star of Wittenberg.”
Even after her husband’s death, Katie worked hard to care for all that had been entrusted to her. She sadly lost much of the family’s wealth during the Schmalkaldic Wars. She was, however, taken care of by many in the Church who looked fondly upon her and her name until the very end. She died in 1552 in Torgau, six years after Luther’s passing. It is said her final words confessed her Savior to the very end: “I’ll stick to Christ like a burr to a cloth.”
A Brief History
Just as the Lutheran Church has long celebrated the other key figures of the Reformation, honoring their heavenly birthdays and remembering them as saints, the Lutheran Church has likewise held Katharina von Bora in high esteem. She not only accompanied Luther throughout his many adventures, taking care of him and his needs as his most devoted wife, but she also proved to be an excellent manager of money, household manager, and mother. Together, she and her husband set the standard for clerical marriage, which became a standard after the Reformation. Without Katie Luther there would be no “pastor’s wives” or hard-working parsonages.
In this regard, she also modeled hospitality, hard work, and ingenuity. She opened her home to others. She managed her many biological children and those placed under her care. She was a loving sister and aunt. Her “career pivot” in young adulthood did not throw her off but instead exemplified her willingness to flourish where God placed her. Finally, her loving marriage with Martin demonstrated the importance of a husband-and-wife relationship built on deep affection, mutual respect, and separate responsibilities.
In the days before Christmas, on December 20th, we as a Church come together as we learn and talk about this great saint, thanking God for his servant. Even 500 years later she stands as one of the most well-known female saints commemorated by the Church and admired by Protestants. Her life and life’s work can certainly inspire us all!
Collect
Hear us, O God, our Savior: so that we, who rejoice in the feast of Blessed Katharina, may learn from her in spirit of loving devotion; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost: ever one God, world without end. Amen
Lessons
Resources
Issues, Etc. interview with Dr. Mark DeGarmeaux on Katie Luther, Wife of 16th Century Reformer Martin Luther
Propers found in Daily Divine Service Book: A Lutheran Daily Missal, edited by the Rev. Heath Curtis
References:
1. Weedon, William. Celebrating the Saints. Concordia Publishing House. 2016.
2. In Memory of Katharina von Bora, Parts 1 & 2, 1517, December 2019.
3. December 20th: Katie Luther, Ecclesiastical Sewing, December 2019.
Images:
1. Engraving of Katharina von Boa, Lucas Cranach, Germany, ca. 17th century.
2. Katharina von Bora, Lucas Cranach, Germany, 1526.
3. Luther im Kreise seiner Familie musizierend, Gustav Spangenberg, Germany, 1875
