The Reverend Sister Virginia Rajakumari, SAB [1] Congregation of Sisters of St. Anne, Bangalore (SAB) [2] | |
|---|---|
| Born | Virginia Rajakumari Sandiyagu October 8, 1965 [1] |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | V. R. Sandiyagu |
| Occupation | Spiritual Formator |
| Years active | 21st century |
| Known for | Scholarship in Biblical Studies |
| Title | The Reverend Sister |
| Board member of | |
| Relatives | Rev. Fr. Ignatius Anthappa |
| Academic background | |
| Education | |
| Alma mater |
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| Thesis | Women as Eyewitnesses to the Christian Kerygma: The Galilean Women in the Redaction of Luke: An Exegetical Study of Luke 8:1-3 (2008) |
| Doctoral advisor | Reimund Bieringer |
| Other advisors | Lucien Legrand, MEP, P. A. Sampath Kumar |
| Influences | Feminism |
| Academic work | |
| Era | 21st century |
| Discipline | Biblical Studies |
| Sub-discipline | New Testament |
| School or tradition | Theology |
| Institutions |
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| Main interests | Women's participation in the Church |
| Notable ideas | Women in Christianity |
| Influenced | Biblical hermeneutics |
Virginia Rajakumari Sandiyagu (born 8 October 1965 [1] ) is a Biblical scholar belonging to Congregation of Sisters of St. Anne,Bangalore (SAB). She teaches Sacred Scriptures at Kristu Jyoti College,Krishnarajapuram,Bangalore. Rajakumari is known for Biblical hermeneutics, [12] especially her research on re-reading [13] scriptures that hitherto relegated women to the background. Her re-interpretation has shed new light on importance [14] of women in Old Testament and New Testament.
Sandiyagu,V. R. professed as a Nun on 21 May 1985 [1] with Sisters of St. Anne of Bangalore (SAB). She studied in Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram,Bangalore,graduating in 1995 [2] with a B.Th. degree. She continued her studies in St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary,enrolling in a postgraduate course leading to M.Th.. The faculty included Lucien Legrand,MEP and P. A. Sampath Kumar. Sandiyagu graduated in 1997. [2]
In the 2000s,Sandiyagu enrolled with KU Leuven in Leuven,Belgium,where she was guided by Reimund Bieringer. In 2004, [6] she graduated with a M.A. [6] degree and continued her studies at KU Leuven,enrolling in a doctoral programme. She studied in Maria-Theresia College. [7] During her time at KU Leuven,Sandiyagu also took part in an International research project Mary Magdalene and the Touching of Jesus. An Intra- and Interdisciplinary Investigation of the Interpretation of John 20,17 in Exegesis,Iconography and Pastoral Care. [15] In 2008,Sandiyagu graduated with a Ph.D. degree. Her dissertation was listed in fr:Revue théologique de Louvain. [16]
Sandiyagu teaches Sacred Scriptures at Salesians of Don Bosco-run Kristu Jyoti College,Krishnarajapuram as a permanent faculty. She also teaches as a guest faculty at St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary,Malleswaram, [2] National Biblical,Catechetical &Liturgical Centre,Banaswadi [9] and Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram,Bannerghatta Road [9]
As a scholar in Biblical Studies,Sandiyagu is engaged in scripture engagement as Secretary of Bible Commission,Karnataka Regional Catholic Bishops' Council [3] In November 2024,she got elected as President of Society for Biblical Studies in India for biennium 2024-2026,succeeding Old Testament Scholar,K. Jesurathnam,STBC.
She is on the Council of Congregation of Sisters of St. Anne,Bangalore as General Councilor. [4] Sandiyagu is also Governing Councilor of St. Anne’s Educational Society,Bangalore that manages St. Anne's First Grade College for Women in Bangalore. [5]