Yesterday we learned about the earliest years in the life of Katharina von Bora Luther. But there is so much more to her story.
While in the Nimbschen cloister, Katie and other nuns somehow learned of the reforming work of Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk and professor at the University of Wittenberg. The Reformation teachings appealed to some of the sisters. On Holy Saturday in 1523, after the Easter Vigil, Katie and 11 other nuns secretly left the cloister under the dark of night. The 12 traveled to Torgau, and nine continued on to Wittenberg, where Luther then assisted the women in establishing new lives.
At that time, leaving religious life or assisting someone with leaving were offenses punishable by death. Katie and the other 11 women boldly risked their lives for freedom. Martin Luther also risked his life, given that he allegedly facilitated the escape.
Tomorrow: A controversial marriage
This message was adapted from a Women of the ELCA resource, A Bold Life of Faith: Katharina von Bora Luther, written by Linda Post Bushkofsky.
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