MARCH 24

 

Catherine von Bora (1499–1552)

 

"I will cling to my Lord Christ as a burr on a coat".  

Catherine von Bora was a former nun who became the wife of Martin Luther, the leader of the Protestant Reformation. Born in Lippendorf, near Leipzig, Germany, she was sent to a convent at a young age and later took monastic vows. Inspired by Luther’s writings challenging the Catholic Church, Catherine and several other nuns escaped the convent in 1523 with his help.

 

In 1525, she married Martin Luther, despite societal opposition to clergy marriage. Their union was considered unusual but became a model for Protestant pastors and their families. Catherine managed their household, a former monastery, and was known for her business acumen. She ran a farm, brewed beer, and provided hospitality to Luther’s many visitors.

 

Catherine and Luther had six children, and she played a significant role in shaping the image of the Protestant pastor’s wife —a model of piety, industry, and family life. After Luther’s death in 1546, Catherine faced financial struggles but remained committed to the Reformation cause.

 

She died in 1552 at the age of 53, leaving a lasting legacy as a key figure in the social and domestic transformation brought about by the Protestant Reformation.