On Monday, July 1, 2024, Sister Martha (Mary Raymond) Wachtel, ASC, celebrated 70 years as an Adorer of the Blood of Christ at Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL. She made her first profession on July 1, 1954 and her final vows on July 1, 1959. She marked her anniversary with the Eucharistic liturgy, followed by a reception.
Sister Martha was born in Freeburg, IL, one of eight children in the family of Fred and Anna Wachtel. The family attended St. Michael’s Church in Paderborn, IL. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Geography from St. Louis University in 1969, her master’s in education from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL in 1978, and her certificate in Hospital Ministry from St. John’s Health System in Springfield, MO in 1991.
Sister Martha’s service included multiple ministries: teacher, principal, pastoral minister, missionary, nutrition coordinator, and cook. She served as pastoral minister at Sacred Heart Parish in Springfield, MO. She taught at St. Jerome in St. Louis, MO; at St. Joseph in Olney, IL; at Holy Rosary in Fort Dodge, Iowa; at St. Michael in Garnersville and St. Patrick in Grand Cess in Liberia, West Africa; she served as vice principal at St. Jerome and as principal at St. Patrick. Her expertise as nutrition coordinator served the clients of Hope House, a residence for women and children in Springfield, MO.
For the past 11 years Sr. Martha has had various ministries at the Columbia Center of the ASC community in Columbia, PA, including minister of hospitality at the Precious Blood Spiritual Center, serving as assistant director, and as Director of Community Life and Mission for the sisters living at the Center.
Sister Martha currently resides at Benedictine Living Community where she is Living Mission in Later Life.