by Eva McClelland
On June 13th, 2025, an intimate crowd gathered at Gustavus Adolphus College to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the union between Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora. The couple is well known for their relationship founded in defiance, Martin having been a Roman Catholic monk and Katie having been a Roman Catholic nun.
It was a monumental moment for the Reformation; not only did it uplift Martin’s beliefs on the institution of marriage within the movement, but it also challenged his own personal beliefs on his place in that institution. Five hundred years after that afternoon on June 13th, 1525, we continue to recognize the radical union and how it positively impacted and inspired the later coming Lutheran traditions.
The ceremony began with a welcome from Dr. Marcia J. Bunge, Bernhardson Distinguished Chair of Lutheran Studies at Gustavus Adolphus College, which included a Land Acknowledgment of the Dakota people who are native to the land that Gustavus now occupies. Dr. Bunge is well-known for her expertise in Lutheran theology, particularly in the areas of vocation, as well as her work in childist studies and her advocacy for the rights of children worldwide.
Dr. Jennifer Hockenbery, interim executive director of Women of the ELCA, followed, expressing her gratitude for all who made the event possible. She welcomed on stage five students from the college as actors in the play, which depicted the events and imagined words exchanged between Luther and von Bora. Their script was full of witty quips, quotes from Martin Luther, and storytelling concerning the events leading up to their marriage. While comedic, it was also honest about the darkness and doubts that Luther faced in himself leading up to his decision to marry. At the play’s conclusion, Christ Chapel’s cantor, Chad Winterfeltd, led on the organ Now to the Holy Spirit Let Us Pray, a hymn written by Martin Luther himself.
The highlight of the event was the lecture given by the Rev. Diane Bowers, Ph.D., titled “Shocking and Necessary: The Marriage of Katharina von Bora and Martin Luther as an Act of Love and Resistance.” Bowers currently serves as an interim pastor and is a theologian and a Luther scholar. Her lecture was vast and informative, helping the crowd to further understand the events going on during the time of Martin and Katie’s wedding, what postponed it, and how he finally agreed to commit. Luther’s quick turnaround from his previous beliefs about his own place in the institution of marriage sparked controversy and curiosity in those involved in the Reformation. Bowers discussed the letters between Luther and his colleagues and companions regarding his relationship with Katharina, as well as the lack of letters from her perspective. The full lecture will be published in the August/September issue of the Journal of Lutheran Ethics.
Afterward, everyone was encouraged to continue the celebrations down the hill at Paddlefish Brewing, where head brewer Luke Dragseth was able to debut Katie’s Ale. This ale is a German celebration ale. The beer was inspired by the Reformation era brewing styles and techniques and emulates an ale that Katie von Bora might have brewed herself. Every time a pint of Katie’s Ale is purchased at Paddlefish Brewing, $1 is donated to the 2122 Campaign for Katie’s Fund. The reception, along with Katie’s Ale, was complimented with German chocolate cupcakes and a life-sized Martin Luther standee for a photo-op.
Overall, the event brought together community to celebrate both love and the Reformation of what marriage and love looks like. It was truly a beautiful way to celebrate the everlasting love and legacy that Martin and Katie Luther left to us.
Eva McClelland is a student at Gustavus Adophus College, St. Peter, Minn. This summer, she is working as a Communication intern with Women of the ELCA.