This week in Christian history: Constantine’s vision, Martin Luther’s German Mass

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, October 27, 2024

Martin Luther’s German language Mass debuts – Oct. 29, 1525

Martin Luther statue in Dresden, Germany. | iStock/robertmandel

This week marks the anniversary of when Protestant Reformation leader Martin Luther’s German language worship service was first celebrated at a church in Wittenberg.

While better known for translating the Bible into German, Luther also sought to create a liturgy that was in the common language at a time and place when masses were held in Latin.

According to historian E. Christian Kopff, at the request of Elector Frederick the Wise, Luther had composed a new Latin Mass titled Formula Missae, which included some German language components.

“Luther wanted to preserve the traditional liturgy and yet make essential parts intelligible to ordinary Christians,” wrote Kopff. “A complete German service, his Deutsche Messe, was celebrated October 29, 1525 and again on Christmas Day.”