KATHARINA VON BORA
The Woman Behind Martin Luther’s Success
By Dr. Lois Semenye
Katharina Von Bora was born on January 29, 1499. When she was five years her mother died, and her father remarried. At the age of six, her stepmother sent her away to a Catholic boarding school. From there, Katharina was later transferred to a convent where she became a nun when she was 16 years old.
As time passed, some nuns including Katharina became dissatisfied with their lives at the convent. Despite their good works, many still felt restless before God. They began to study the writings of Martin Luther, and they were intrigued by what he was teaching about salvation coming only by grace through faith in Christ and not by works.
Through his writings they realized that they did not need to earn their salvation by remaining as nuns. This insight was welcome news, for many the choice to enter the convent was not theirs but their families. Luther’s writings inspired them, and they desired to escape from the convent.
They wrote to their parents, but some refused to take them back. At that time in history many families put their children into the convent with the hope that their child’s good works and prayerful intercession might provide entrance for their families into heaven. To leave the convent was viewed by many as disgraceful behavior.
But Katharina and her fellow nuns eventually wrote to Luther requesting help to flee from convent. Luther developed a plan and helped them escape. However, this created another problem - where was Luther to keep them?
He was able to find husbands or jobs for all of them expect for Katharina. While he found two suitors for her, those arrangements did not work out. Katharina was the only one who remained unsettled.
When these arrangements didn’t work out, Katharina communicated that Martin Luther should marry her. His friends encouraged him to marry Katharina as well, yet Luther had a concern. Since he had been branded as a heretic by the Catholic Church, his life was regularly in danger, and he didn’t want to leave behind a widow.
However, Luther’s parents wanted him to marry Katharina so they could have grandchildren. Luther had a theological conviction that it was permissible for priests to marry, and he also wanted to anger the Pope through his actions, so he married her. Katharina married Martin primarily out of convenience.
Despite their initial motives, over time their family grew and so did their love for one another. Together they had six children, and they raised many more. Martin regularly wrote tender and witty letters to Katharina as he traveled, and she cared for Martin through his frequent illnesses and bouts with depression.
Michelle DeRusha describes Katharina as “a woman who risked marrying one of the most controversial men of the time – a man who could have very likely been burned as a heretic at any given moment. She was a woman who raised six children; ran a boardinghouse; oversaw a farm complete with fruit orchards, livestock, and a fishpond; and advised and cared for her husband” (p. 52-53).
Katharina’s leadership skills were utilized without a label of status, yet her influence was significant. When Martin’s friends could not persuade him, they would ask Katharina to talk with him, since he viewed her as a trusted adviser. Through her faithfulness so much was accomplished. Her contributions enabled Luther to accomplish his writings and acquired for her the nickname of ‘Mother of the Reformation’.
Katharina’s Leadership Skills
A Risk Taker - She discussed Luther’s controversial writings while at the convent; she escaped with other nuns, and she married a man the Catholic Church labeled as a ‘heretic’ which put her life at risk too.
Industrious – She raised not only their six children but many others as well; managed their home, ran their family farm that provided needed funds and resources; she invested in real estate; welcomed Martin’s many visitors; and oversaw the former monastery where they lived that at times housed up to 40 visitors. Katharina did all of this often beginning her day at 4 a.m.
Knowledgeable – Katharina regularly discussed political and theological issues with her husband.
Persuasive – She was his trusted advisor, able to challenge and influence his thinking when he was wrong; she was so influential that Luther’s friends would also enlist her help to change her husband’s opinions or actions.
Practical – She applied the skills she had such as medical wisdom that helped alleviate Luther’s pain and depression.
Courageous – Despite others falsely accusing her of immorality and having an affair with Martin, she was determined to move forward and not let false scandalous accusations and gossip hinder her.
Love – Katharina showered her husband and children with love and compassion.
Commitment – She committed her life to Christ and continued to grow in her faith.
Resilience – She navigated difficulties and setbacks, finding ways to keep looking ahead and moving forward in the face of severe loss and disappointment.
De Rusha described Katharina as “a courageous risk taker; an unsentimental, determined survivor; a savvy businesswoman; an astute advisor; a devoted wife and mother; and a woman of faith” (p 57). Katharina’s life sounds great deal like the “woman of valor” described in Proverbs 31.
Reflection
What surprises or intrigues you about Katharina’s story?
What most inspires you about how she lived?
What actions or attitudes did Katharina model that are also needed in development work or ministry contexts where you are serving or leading?
CITATIONS
DeRusha, Michelle. 2014. “50 Women Every Christian Should Know: Learning from Heroines of the Faith.” Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
Pereira, Faith. “Katarina Von Bora: Mother of the Reformation.” https://reformationstewards.com/women/katarina_von_bora/