Associates of the Incarnate Word
and Blessed Sacrament of Corpus Christi

Historical perspective

As early as the third and fourth centuries, laypersons sought the spiritual guidance of monks and nuns in their monasteries in order to share in their spiritual life and to witness Christian values. In the twelfth century, secular third orders became common. The 1983 Code of Canon Law grants the right of the faithful to form and direct associations of the faithful and for religious institutes to have associations of the faithful under their direction, sharing in their spirit. By 1987, more than six thousand associates were joined to religious institutes in the United States.

Jeanne Chézard de Matel, foundress

Jeanne Chézard de Matel, foundress of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, envisioned a means for laity and diocesan clergy to share in the charism of the Order. In 1669, Monseigneur de Neauville founded a Confraternity of the Incarnate Word which was approved by Clement X on January 30th of the following year. Jeanne Chézard died that year on September 11. Afterward, her vision of the Confraternity was not realized. In 1980, permission was given to reactivate the Associates of the Incarnate Word when the Sisters in Mexico City petitioned the Holy Father.

Aware of Jeanne Chézard’s intentions and of Vatican II’s call for the renewal of religious life, our community initiated the Incarnate Word Associates of Corpus Christi in 1983. The founding members, from Corpus Christi, Brownsville and Kingsville, made their first commitment as Associates in 1985. Today they have more than one hundred members who meet in Brownsville, Corpus Christi and the Upper Valley.

The Associate community

The Association provides a means for members to gather regularly in community to strengthen, support, and challenge one another toward growth in relationship with the Incarnate Word and to witness to God’s presence in their lives. They meet monthly from September to May. During their gatherings they share a meal, pray, study and reflect together. Twice a year they meet at Sarita, Texas, for their Advent and Lent retreats.

Three-year orientation period

A three-year orientation period for Associate candidates enables them to deepen personal knowledge and experiences of prayer and community according to the charism of the Order. By following Jesus in openness to the Holy Spirit, they grow in becoming a sign of Christ’s living presence among people and incarnating the way of life expressed in the Beatitudes.

Yearly re-commitment

Each year the members make their re-commitment to live the way of life of the Associates. During the ceremony they pledge:

Trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I give myself to the Incarnate Word to become a sign of Christ’s living presence among people. I pledge my commitment to understand, grow in and live the Word of God, to bring others to the Father by announcing the Gospel message through loving service, and thus extend the Incarnation.

Other Incarnate Word Associates are active in Cleveland, Ohio, in the Texas cities of Houston and Victoria; and several groups are in Mexico: in Gomez Palacio, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Gomez Palacio, Mixcoac and Teziutlan.