Education
Born at Mechelen, Hovius studied theology and philosophy at Leuven University, and was ordained priest in 1566, the year iconoclasm broke out in the Netherlands.
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Matthias Hovius
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As, Hovius presided over implementing the Catholic Reformation in the Spanish Netherlands. While pastor at Saints Peter and Paul"s Church in Mechelen, Hovius witnessed the Spanish Fury at Mechelen in 1572, and the English Fury at Mechelen in 1580, both during the Eighty Years" War. Hovius was appointed vicar-general of the archdiocese of Mechelen upon the death of Joannes Hauchin in 1589.
In 1596, Hovius was consecrated the third of Mechelen.
The Mechelen Catechism remained a standard in Catholic religious education in Belgium until well into the twentieth century. In 1609, Hovius convened a provincial council in Mechelen to implement the decrees of the Council of Trent in the archdiocese.
He was supported in his efforts by Albert and Isabella of Austria, Governors-General of the Spanish Netherlands. Hovius died on 30 May 1620 during a canonical visitation to Affligem Abbey.
