During this time Luther was also concerned about monks and nuns who had left their monasteries, and now were without home or support. Among these were a group of nuns from the Nimbschen Cistercian Cloister, who had been brought to Wittenberg. Luther tried to find husbands for them, and finally married Katharina von Bora (1499-1552) himself.

     The pictures of Martin and Katharina were painted in 1526 by Lucas Cranach, the Elder, a good friend of both. Katherine had stayed with the Cranach’s when she came out of the cloister and Lucas carried Martin’s proposal of marriage to her. The Cranachs and the Luthers were also baptismal sponsors for each other’s children.

            Lucas Cranach, Self-portrait        Lucas Cranach by Albrecht Dürer 
                                                                       There is a missing "." after the "A" in "d.A."

Albrecht Dürer by Dürer                    Dürer's Signature

     In 1529 Luther published his Small Catechism. It was intended for the father of the family to use in the instruction of his family and his employees. It included sections on the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer, the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, and on Confession, and an appendix on Daily Devotions.