Pastor Kory's Page - June 2025

(This article was originally written for a Lutheran Women's Missionary League publication.)

Perhaps you remember the major celebration of the Reformation that took place in 2017. October 31st of that year marked the 500th anniversary of the posting of Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses. In the coming years, we’ll observe the 500th anniversaries of other significant Reformation occasions. For example, 2029 will be the 500th anniversary of the publication of Luther’s Large and Small Catechisms, and 2030 will be the 500th anniversary of the presentation of the Augsburg Confession.

This summer we remember a more personal milestone in Luther’s life. June 13, 2025 is the 500th anniversary of the marriage of Martin Luther and Katharina (“Katie”) von Bora. Their marriage was surprising on several levels. Luther was 42 and Katie was 26 when they were wed in Wittenberg, Germany. Luther was a former Augustinian monk, and just two years before their wedding, Katie had fled from a convent in a fish barrel! (Luther helped arrange for the nuns to escape.)

Martin and Katie weren’t particularly “in love.” After her escape, Katie had hoped to marry a man named Jerome, but the marriage didn’t transpire. Luther then tried to pair Katie up with another pastor, but Katie refused the match. Katie finally declared that she would only marry Luther himself or one of his best friends, Nicolaus von Amsdorf. Luther balked at Katie’s unusual proposal – after all, rebellion was raging around Europe, Luther had been branded a heretic and condemned by Rome, and he was no longer a young man.

But despite all the reasons to the contrary, Martin and Katie married anyway. Their marriage lasted over twenty years and was blessed with six children. In their large home in Wittenberg (a former cloister for monks), they also provided for orphaned relatives, theology students, and household servants. Katie was quite literally the original “Lutheran Woman in Mission” as she supported the Reformation, her husband’s ministry, and resourcefully fed all the hungry mouths in their ever-changing household. 

We give thanks in this 500th anniversary year of Martin and Katie’s marriage both for them and for what their marriage meant for the wider church. While Luther was not the first Protestant clergyman to marry, the marriage of the leading figure in the Reformation spoke volumes. Luther believe that marriage and family life are the Lord’s created gifts, not something to be avoided by pursuing “holier” callings as a celibate priest, monk, or nun. 

The Luthers pioneered the Protestant parsonage. Their return to the biblical example of marriage (1 Tim. 3:2) is one of the reasons that so many Lutheran and other Protestant pastors are married today. Katie Luther’s example of gladly serving the Lord as a wife, mother, household organizer, and member of the Wittenberg community reminds us of the importance of Christian women living out their faith in these everyday yet God-pleasing vocations.

As something to consider in your church or LWML group, can you think of some ways you can be of support or encouragement to your pastor’s wife and children (if he is married)? The same would apply to other church work households in your congregation. Perhaps your LWML group could purchase devotional materials for engaged or newly married couples, or support programs at our seminaries which benefit students’ wives and families. 

Finally, give thanks to the Lord for the simple wedding that took place in Wittenberg back in 1525, and pray to Him on behalf of the marriages and families in your congregation and extended family. And remember that marriage also points to something greater – the communion between Christ and His bride, the Church.

            Grace & Peace,

                        Pastor Kory Janneke