A Day in the Life of the Luther Parsonage

By Julie Stiegemeyer

After midnight into the dark German countryside, in the back of a merchant's wagon, Katharina Von Bora and a dozen other nuns escape from their convent on Easter morning 1523. The young women huddle between barrels usually full of herring as the wagon carries them away from their cloistered life to the city of Wittenberg. Martin Luther had arranged for their transport, little knowing that Katharina would later become his wife.

So begins the story of two remarkable people who—by God's grace—impact history. The following is a peek into the early years of the Luthers’ marriage, when Katharina juggles two babies, a three-story household, large gardens, boarders, and her husband, Martin Luther.

4:00 a.m.

Praise to the Lord whose mercies are new every morning. It is cooler this morning; fall days are blowing in across the Elbe as I watch the river from my window. Today I must cut the last of the lettuce and radishes. Must hurry to start the bread to rise. But before that, a fire!

4:30 a.m.

Praise the Lord for small things. Found that after I went to bed last night, Aunt Lena had measured out the ingredients for the bread and Wolfgang—for once—had carried in the wood. Wolfgang, ah Wolfgang, when will you ever do your work properly? The walls of the kitchen need to be whitewashed. And a laundry room needs to be added to the first floor—so much to do!

5:00 a.m.

Just gathered the eggs and found the speckled white hen huddled in the corner of the stall. She may not last through the winter. The sausage is crackling in the pan, will start the eggs soon. Already I hear Elizabeth crying from her cradle. Must tend to her before she wakes Doctor. He's been looking so tired lately.

5:10 a.m.

Found Elizabeth pale and burning up! Make haste to help her, O Lord! Aunt Lena is cooling Elizabeth, so I can finish breakfast. Wolfgang will run for Dr. Schurf.

6:30 a.m.

Dr. Schurf said there have been rumors of a plague. Could this be little Elizabeth's illness? Can't bear the thought of more sickness in our home. Doctor was near death just last year.

7:30 a.m.

During breakfast, as I held Elizabeth, Hans climbed onto my lap. Doctor said, “Look how Katie handles the little ones, in a graceful dance. I'd look like a camel if I tried that!” He jokes, but I see the worry in his eyes, as he looks so lovingly at Elizabeth.

9:30 a.m.

Just found two more of Doctor's nephews at our front door. We have already taken in three others, plus our own two children. Doctor's sister cannot care for them anymore. She is too ill. Our money is running out, but God will provide, somehow. Must keep working in the kitchen. Doctor and the students will take a break from lectures for dinner in just a half hour. Pork and apples today.

1:00 p.m.

Aunt Lena is trying to console Elizabeth. She alternates between short restless naps and crying spells. The poor child. Dr. Schurf said we'd just have to wait and see. What herbs might help, I wonder?

7:00 p.m.

Into the living room for chess and tonight “The Tortoise and the Hare”. How Doctor loves Aesop's Fables. Tonight he read the ten commandments as Hans listened, enraptured on his lap. Doctor said he'd like to write a book explaining the teachings of the Bible in a simple way for children. How will he write another book when there is so much other work? Thank the Lord, Elizabeth's fever has broken, though she is still pale and sleepy. Hans and the dog are wrestling as my dear Doctor looks on and laughs his hearty laugh.

8:45 p.m.

Doctor and I put little Elizabeth in her cradle, and my dear husband leans over to me and says, “I love you, Kate, more than I love myself. That is literally true. I would rather die than that harm should come to you or the children.”

9:30 p.m.

Just as I put out the light, we heard a knock at the front door. I wonder which wedding gift he'll give away this time to the poor beggar visiting us, even at such an hour. But as Doctor always says, “Our Father in heaven is rich. God will provide!” Ah, that my dear husband would be just a little less generous! But that is tomorrow's trouble. Tonight we rest in the peace of Christ.

Julie Stiegemeyer is a pastor's wife, mother, and writer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is a member of Concordia Lutheran Church.