Sister Valine Kachelmier
For some, their path in life is clear from a very early age and nothing can change their course. So it was for Valine Kachelmier growing up in Nezperce, Idaho. “After 62 years as a sister at St. Gertrude’s I often reflect on how Jesus has drawn me closer to his loving heart throughout my life. I never heard God tell me to follow the more narrow path, but I felt drawn to the things of God and a desire for a deep relationship with God from the beginning.”
Seeking this relationship was more important than the typical pursuits of her age. “My call was persistent. From my early years in grade school at St. Anthony’s, I liked to go pray in the nearby Catholic Church after school when most of the children had gone home to play. Sometimes I ventured into the sacristy to see the beautiful vestments the priest wore at Mass. Next door was an empty classroom where an old altar was stored. I loved going in there to look into the tabernacle. I never paid much attention to the boys. They liked me though, and gave me marbles. I used to smile, say thank you and then run off...at home I had a huge soap box full of beautiful marbles!”
Devoting herself to Scripture, young Valine soon memorized every prayer in her catechism book. “I entertained myself by dressing up as a sister and parading through the house, holding a prayer book, bowing my head and speaking gibberish out loud. It is no wonder that no one in my family ever tried to discourage me from becoming a sister.”
She entered St. Gertrude’s the summer after 8th grade. For the next three years she battled severe
homesickness. “I finally went to my Sister Director to tell her I just had to abandon the convent and go home. She assured me that it was just a temptation to give up my calling. She was right. That was the end of my homesickness, and the Monastery became the place where my desire to be near God and the things of God was satisfied. I grew to enjoy all my work as a novice, especially preparing the altar for Mass and decorating the sanctuary.”
In the winter of 1946, her first year professed as Sister Amata (Latin, meaning “you must love”) she was called to substitute teach in Greencreek, Idaho. “A deep sorrow came over me as I realized this meant leaving the life I had grown to love so deeply. I got homesick for St. Gertrude’s this time!” It was a sadness that stayed with her for some years. The substitute position became a permanent one, lasting until May of 1947, and launching a teaching career that took her to Grangeville, Nampa, Saint Maries, Cottonwood, Boise, Pocatello and Rupert. “I loved the students but I missed life at the Monastery and found teaching very challenging. During one assignment I was in charge of a class of 70 students in two grades! It was extremely difficult to be away from home for so long. However, strengthened by the graces of obedience, I taught for 37 years and served as principal many of those years.”
Following her years as an educator, Sister Valine trained in Occupational Therapy. In 1992 she was called back to the Monastery where she did OT with sisters in the infirmary, made candles, cared for the Grotto and worked in the flower gardens. “I was delighted to return home. I deeply love the beauty and quiet atmosphere surrounding St. Gertrude’s with its daily rhythm of prayer, work and study.”
In her retirement years Sister Valine has enjoyed the life in community she sought since childhood. “My heart overflows with deep gratitude for all the blessings and graces that I have been given. I often pray with the psalmist: ‘O God, my God, for You I long at break of day. My soul thirsts for You. My body longs for You.’ A religious vocation is a very special relationship with God; one that can be nurtured by Scripture and developing a listening heart; one that is finely tuned to the things that matter to God. I find fidelity to prayer very life giving.”
See Sister Valine's Candles in the Book & Gift Shop