wfn.org | Extensive celebrations mark Katharina von Bora's 500th anniversary

[FRANK_IMHOFF.parti@ecunet.org (FRANK IMHOFF)]

She was Martin Luther's beloved and appreciated companion

GENEVA, 23 November 1998 (lwi) - As the 500th anniversary of Katharina von
Bora approaches, about 100 events are underway in Saxony-Anhalt as well as
in cities in other parts of Germany in a bid to shed light on the life of
Reformer Martin Luther's wife.

A special office, Anniversary Katharina von Bora, set up at the
Evangelical Academy of Saxony-Anhalt, has produced a detailed calendar of
events which include lectures, stamp exhibitions, worship services,
theatre performances, reading days and competitions to commemorate the
life of the "most famous clergyman's wife in the world" as well as to pay
tribute to the situation of women in the 16th century.

The Katharina von Bora anniversary officially started with a special study
meeting on Reformation Day 1998 and two worship services held
simultaneously, one in the castle church and one in the town church of
Lutherstadt Wittenberg.

The largest exhibition ever held in respect of the person Katharina von
Bora will be organized by the Foundation for Luther Memorials in
Saxony-Anhalt. From 25 March to 14 November 1999, the Lutherhalle
Wittenberg, once the Reformer's residence in this town, will display about
350 pictures and documents, partly on loan from German and other European
museums.

Part of the anniversary celebrations will be a consultation which will
inaugurate a touring exhibition of the Women's Office in the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Saxony while a festive ceremony will take place in
Wittenberg.

The Reformer's wife was quite as extraordinary as he was himself. Born on
29 January 1499, her noble but impoverished family put her in Brehna
convent. In 1515 she took her vows in Nimbschen convent. In 1523, under
the influence of the Reformation, she fled with other nuns to Wittenberg
where in 1523 she married Martin Luther. Together they had six children.
She died in 1552, six years after Martin Luther, in Torgau.

It is quite astonishing that the main biographical data of a person of the
16th century, more so a woman, are known. Still, many details about her
personality are left to speculation and interpretation as personal
testimonies are very difficult to come by. But it is no wonder that after
the Luther year 1996, historians discovered that even the wife of the
Reformer is good for a jubilee, if not with the intention to boost tourism
in "Lutherstadt Wittenberg".

Some of her letters have been handed down

Only eight letters written by Martin Luther's wife have been handed down
and there is no direct proof that she made known her position in
theological discussions. Even if she did, this would have been so unseemly
for a woman of her times that her contributions would have been removed
from the records.

But the fact that among other things, Lukas Cranach painted her shows that
her significance at the time was higher than average which means that
posterity knows what she looked like - contrary to the wives of all other
Reformers.

Indirect references prove that she also exercised influence in theological
circles, which is documented by statements made by contemporaries. Many of
Luther's existing handwritten letters show that she became her husband's
beloved and appreciated companion and adviser.

In inventive variation he addressed her as "My dearly beloved housewife",
"My kind, dear Mr. Katharina", "To the very learned Frau Katharin
Lutherin", or even "Madam Katharin Lutherin von Bora and Zulsdorf at
Wittenberg, my beloved".

Her other qualities are seen through Martin Luther's reference to her as
"doctor, preacher, brewer, pig breeder, gardener - and whichever else she
can be" which gives us an idea about the extensive activities and
capabilities her husband appreciated in her.

In her times, the "housewife" Katharina performed a plethora of highly
placed activities which  in today's terms would make her a matron, estate
manager and director of a learning center. At times, up to 30 students and
employees lived in her house, now the "Lutherhalle" in Wittenberg.

What is known about the Luthers' property, including the right to brew
beer, the estate of Wachsdorf, Zulsdorf and the "black monastery" in
Wittenberg, shows that they were quite well-off people.

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Lutheran World Information
Assistant Editor, English: Pauline Mumia
E-mail: jbn@lutheranworld.org
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