Today
we remember and give thanks to God for Johann von Staupitz, Luther’s Father
Confessor. Johann von Staupitz (ca.
1469–1524), vicar-general of the Augustinian Order in Germany and friend of
Martin Luther, was born in Saxony. He studied at the universities in Leipzig
and Cologne and served on the faculty at Cologne. In 1503 he was called by
Frederick the Wise to serve as dean of the theological faculty at the newly
founded University of Wittenberg. There he encouraged Luther to attain a
doctorate in theology and appointed Luther as his successor to professor of
Bible. During Luther’s early struggles to understand God’s grace, it was
Staupitz who counseled Luther to focus on Christ and not on himself.
Collect of the Day:
Almighty, everlasting God, for our many sins we justly deserve
eternal condemnation. In Your mercy, You
sent Your dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who won for us forgiveness of sins
and everlasting salvation. Grant us a
true confession so that dead to sin we may hear the sweet words of Absolution
from our confessor as Luther heard them from his pastor, Johann von Staupitz,
and be released from all our sin; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and
reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
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