Studies

Secular:
1988-91 Bachelor of Philosophy: Arulanandar College, Karumathur, Madurai
1997-99 Master in English: Kamarajar University (Distance Education), Madurai
2009-10 M. Phil. in English: Vinayaka Mission University (Distance Education), Salem
2010-12 Bachelor in Education (B. Ed.): Indira Gandhi University (Distance Education), New Delhi.

Ecclesiastical:
1988 – 1991. Bachelor of Philosophy: Arulanandar College, Karumathur, Madurai
1992 – 1996. Bachelor of Theology: St. Paul’s Seminary, Tiruchirapalli
2001 - 2004. Master in Religious Studies & Master of Theology (STL): Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium
2002 - 2004. Licentiate in Canon Law (JCL): Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium
2004 - 2008. Doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD): Catholic Institute of Toulouse, France.

3. Doctoral Dissertation:
Title: FROM RABBI TO MESSIAH (A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO THE JOHANNINE CHRISTOLOGY)
Public Defense: 2008 JANUARY
Place of Publication: ISPCK, DELHI
Year of Publication: 2018

Scientific and Didactic Activities

Books

English:
Raj, Michael. From Rabbi to Messiah: A Holistic Approach to the Johannine Christology. Delhi: ISPCK, 2018.

Tamil: (The Title of the Book is given in English)
(Becoming Disciples and Begetting Disciples in Acts of the Apostles). 2018.
(Guidance of St. Paul to His Companions and Co-Workers) 2019.
(Blessings in the Bible) 2020.
(Mercy of God alive during Pandemic) 2021.
(Biblical Commentary to the Book of Ezekiel) 2022.
(Being Like Jesus and Doing Like Paul) 2023.
(Biblical Foundation for Discipleship) 2024.
(Biblical and Theological guide for Jubilee 2025 in a synodal perspective (In Tamil))

Articles

English:
Michael Raj. “Biblical Models of Co-Existence with Nature in the Light of Laudato Si”. Trichy: St. Paul’s Seminary, Vaiharai, Vol.23, No.2 (Jul-Dec 2018), 33-51.

Tamil: (The Title of the Article is given in English)
2017 (Reconciliation in the Bible in the journal Marai Aruvi).
2017. (Sunday Reflections for Homily in the journal Thozhan).
(Message of Jesus for the students and youth at the beginning of the academic year in the journal Viviliya Virunthu).
(Why are you afraid, Message of Pope Francis in the context of Corona Epidemic, Part I in the weekly magazine Namvazhvu).
(Why are you afraid, Message of Pope Francis in the context of Corona Epidemic, Part II in the weekly magazine Namvazhvu).
(Why are you afraid, Message of Pope Francis in the context of Corona Epidemic, Part III in the weekly magazine Namvazhvu).
("Fratelli Tutti" of Pope Francis in the weekly magazine Namvazhvu).
("Covid-19 in the perspective of the migrants and poor" in the journal Viviliya Virunthu).
("Is our Faith still relevant at the time of Covid-19" in the journal Viviliya Virunthu).
(Editorial for the seminary journal Marai Aruvi).
("With a heart of the Father" in the weekly magazine Namvazhvu).
("Church promotes the gender equality", Part I in the weekly magazine Namvazhvu).
("Church respects the gender equality", Part II in the weekly magazine Namvazhvu).
("Biblical Foundation for Religious Life" in the weekly magazine Namvazhvu).
("Synodality in the Church by Communion, Participation and Mission" in the journal Marai Aruvi).
("Why and what for the diocesan phase of Synodality" in the weekly magazine Namvazhvu).
("Who are all left unnoticed in our journey together" in the weekly magazine Namvazhvu).
("Lenten Pilgrimage in the path of Synodality" in the weekly magazine Namvazhvu).
("Fasting is a moral virtue" in the journal Thozhan).
("Biblical Perspective of Synodal Church" in the journal Viviliya Virunthu).
("Let our Christian Life Arise" in the journal Thozhan).
("Education of Jewish youth during the Jewish feasts and Pilgrimages" in the journal Thozhan).

Edited Works

Tamil: (The Title of the Article is given in English)
("Slaves in the perspective of St. Paul" in the edited work of Pauline Encyclopaedia).
("Baptism in the perspective of St. Paul" in the edited work of Pauline Encyclopaedia).
("Sadducees" in the edited work of Biblical and Theological Dictionary).
("Cross" in the edited work of Biblical and Theological Dictionary).
("Psalms" in the edited work of Biblical and Theological Dictionary).
("Understanding Word of God in each one’s perspective" in the edited work to honour Fr. Amudhan).
("Are the Disciples of Jesus, just preachers or agents of social change?" in the edited work Mission in the Bible).
("Challenges and Directives in our Pastoral Mission Today" in the edited work Biblical Response to the changes in our mission stations).
("Gospel of Mark" in the edited work of Encyclopedia on Jesus).
("Parables of Jesus" in the edited work of Encyclopedia on Jesus.)
("What is Synodality and Synod of Bishops" in the Edited work by Namvazhvu.)
("What is Synodality by means of Communion, Participation and Mission" in the Edited work by Namvazhvu.)
("Synodal Church by Communion, Participation and Mission" in the edited work on Church as a Movement.)
("The Social Teaching of the Catholic Church")

Other Activities

Visiting Faculty Member:
Lumen centre for Ongoing Formation of the Women Religious, Tindivanam, Tamil Nadu.
Dhyanasadhana, Centre for Holistic Spirituality for Women Religious, Mysuru, Karnataka.
Ryshivana, Centre for Formation and Spirituality, Mangalore, Karnataka.
Ongoing formative programme by giving talks in Seminars for a number of Religious congregations and Laity in Pastoral and Formation Houses, Tamilnadu.

Preaching Retreat:
Holy Cross Fathers, Tamilnadu Region, 2018.
Sisters of Presentation of Mary (FSPM), Chennai Province, Tamil Nadu, 2019.
Sisters of Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM), Chennai Province, Tamil Nadu, 2022.

Social Media & T.V.:
“Take and Read”, Biblical Explanation for Gospel of Matthew and Acts of the Apostles, Letters of Paul, Madha TV, Chennai, 2015-17.

Ministries and Regional Services

1996 – Assistant Parish Priest at Sacred Heart Church of Tiruvarangam in the Diocese of Sivagangai
1997-2000 Joint Secretary for TNBC regional committee for the Great Jubilee 2000
2001-2008 Ecclesiastical degrees in Leuven (Belgium) and Toulouse (France)
2008-2012 Parish Priest at St. Joseph’s Church and Correspondent of St. Joseph’s educational institutions in Rameswaram, Sivagangai Diocese.
2012-2017 Financial Administrator and Consultor in the Diocese of Sivagangai
2017 until date – Professor and Formator at St. Paul’s Regional Major Seminary in Trichy.