GALENUS (VAN GALEN), MATHIEU. — Theologian, born at West Cappel in Zeeland in 1528, died at Douai on 15 September 1573. He studied at Ghent and Louvain. In 1559 he became a professor at the Catholic University of Dillingen, founded shortly beforehand by Cardinal Otto Truchess. There he met his compatriot, St. Pietro Canisio, with whom he formed a close friendship. In 1562 he moved to the new University of Douai, where he taught theology until his death.
More a popularizer than a theologian, G. was nevertheless one of the first masters of that school which had such a great influence in stemming the errors of the pseudo-Reformation and in developing a sound theology. Among his disciples, the celebrated Thomas Stapleton deserves mention; he was also G.’s immediate successor.
Principal works: from the Dillingen period: De sucosancto Missae sacrificio (2nd ed., Antwerp 1574); De Christiano et catholico sacerdotio (Dillingen 1563); De originibus monasticis (there 1565); he also collaborated with St. Pietro Canisio on the edition of the letters of St. Jerome. From the Douai period: Catechesis Christianae (published by A. Croquet, Douai 1574, 2nd ed., Lyons 1600); Alcedini reflexiva ad Carolum Magnum (Douai 1569).
BIBLI.: Th. Bouquillon, M. van G., in Revue des sciences verticolesques, 40 (1879, II), pp. 238–56; L. Salembier, s. V. in DThC, VI, cols. 1054–56. Igino Rogger