CHÉZARD de MATEL, Jeanne. - French mystic of Roanne, b. Nov. 6, 1596, d. Sept. 11, 1670, foundress of the Congregation of the Incarnate Word and of the Most Holy Sacrament. Favored with extraordinary gifts, she early displayed an understanding of Holy Scripture and visions concerning the mystery of the Incarnation, a characteristic feature of her spiritual physiognomy, fully linking her mysticism in the 17th century to the medieval tradition. In 1625 she founded a new Congregation at Roanne amid unheard-of trials and contradictions, obtaining papal approval for it in 1644. The process for her beatification is underway. Of her writings, only a collection edited by E. Hello has appeared to date: Oeuvres choisies (Paris 1870).
Bibl.: M. Saint-Pierre de Jésus, Vie de la rée. mère J. C. de M., fondatrice etc., Fribourg 1910; H. Bremond, Hist. litter. du sentiment religieux en France, VI, Paris 1923, pp. 267-313; L. Christiani, s. V. in DSp. II, cols. 837-40. Innocenzo Casati