Career
Canisius was a half-brother of Saint Peter Canisius. Here, in 1562, one of the first productions in Germany of the morality play Homulus (corresponding to the English Everyman or the Dutch Elckerlijc) was given in Latin by the students under his direction. From Munich, where he was succeeded in 1565 by the celebrated Paul Hoffaeus, he was transferred to Dillingen, where for twenty years he presided over the college and the academy and laboured with zeal and success for the improvement of studies and for the religious training of the students.
From 1565 to 1582 he held the office of chancellor of the university.
At length, having spent thirty years at the head of three of the foremost colleges of Germany, he was sent to Lucerne in Switzerland to enjoy a period of rest. But soon again, at the age of sixty-three, he had to undertake the government of the college of Ingolstadt.
Two years later, on the advice of his physician, he was relieved of the burden and allowed to return to Lucerne. A fortnight after his arrival the death of Saint Peter Canisius was announced.
The shock deprived Theodorich of memory and speech, an affliction which he bore with exemplary patience for seven years.
Foreign his amiable disposition and spotless purity of life he deservedly received the surname of Angelus "angel". In 1604, he was transferred again to Ingolstadt, where he died, and was interred in the church of the Holy Cross.