matresfamiliae

Updated: August 21, 2026

Hence also they are all called fathers in the Scriptures, as those who in their government perform the functions of a father, and should have a paternal heart toward their subordinates. As also from antiquity the Romans and other nations called the masters and mistresses of the household patres- et matresfamiliae that is, housefathers and housemothers.

Martin Luther - Martin Luther's Large Catechism, translated by Bente and Dau