Hovius attended the Standonck College in Mechelen, and later studied theology and philosophy at Leuven University, and was ordained priest in 1566, the year iconoclasm broke out in the Netherlands.

[1] Hovius was appointed vicar-general of the archdiocese of Mechelen upon the death of Archbishop Joannes Hauchin in 1589.

The Mechelen Catechism remained a standard in Catholic religious education in Belgium until well into the twentieth century.

The new convent had been approved by the pope and the local authorities and it was funded by Mary Percy who was one of the first nuns.

[2] After an official enquiry, in 1604, Hovius approved the cult of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel, [4] In 1606, the newly constructed shrine received a papal indulgence.