About St. Rita · Alexandria, Virginia
Saint Rita Catholic Church is a vibrant, bilingual (English and Spanish) Roman Catholic parish in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia, belonging to the Diocese of Arlington. Founded as a mission in 1912–1914 and elevated to parish status on September 21, 1924, the parish celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024. The current church, dedicated in 1949, is a Gothic-style building of Virginia fieldstone and Indiana limestone on Russell Road, housing a magnificent pipe organ dedicated in 1990. The parish operates Saint Rita Catholic School (Preschool through Grade 8), runs robust religious education, OCIA, youth, young adult, and Hispanic ministries, and is known for its strong sacred music program, Miraculous Medal novena, all-night Friday Eucharistic adoration, and active Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus, and homeschool community.
- Established
- 1924
- Patron
- Saint Rita of Cascia
- Rector
- Rev. Christopher P. Christensen
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington
Why belong here
Saint Rita is a warm, bilingual parish in the heart of Del Ray where English- and Spanish-speaking families worship side-by-side under a single roof. With daily Mass, all-night Friday Eucharistic adoration, weekly confession, a thriving OCIA process in both languages, an on-site Catholic school (Preschool–Grade 8), and dozens of active groups — Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Young Adults, homeschool community, American Heritage Girls, Troops of St. George, and a 50-Plus Club — there is a genuine place for every age and stage of life. The parish is also known for its strong sacred music program, its Miraculous Medal novena, and a parish social outreach that assists more than 500 people a year through St. Vincent de Paul–style aid coordinated by longtime volunteer Susanne Arnold.
Mass times at St. Rita
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 6:30 pm (ends at 7:15 pm for Benediction and Mass)
- Tuesday: 6:30 pm
- Wednesday: 6:30 pm
- Thursday: 6:30 pm
- Friday: 6:30 pm
- Saturday: 8:30 am, 4:00 pm, and 7:00 pm
- Sunday: 12:30 pm (in Spanish)
- Also available by appointment — call the parish office
Adoration times
- Monday: 6:30 – 7:30 pm
- Tuesday: 6:30 – 7:30 pm
- Wednesday: 6:30 – 7:30 pm
- Thursday: 6:30 – 7:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 pm – 8:00 am Saturday (All-Night Adoration)
History of Saint Rita Parish
Saint Rita's roots run back to 1912, when the 'Ladies Seminarian Society' began teaching Catholic children in a cobbler's shop in what was then Saint Elmo–Abington–Del Ray. The first mission Mass was offered in that same shop on July 16, 1913 by Fr. A. J. Van Ingelgem of St. James Church. In 1914 Bishop Denis J. O'Connell gave permission to build a church, the parish was placed under the patronage of Saint Rita of Cascia, and the original church on Hickory Street in Mt. Ida was dedicated in October 1914. On September 21, 1924, the mission was elevated to parish status with Father Leonard Koster as founding pastor. By 1940 the parish had grown to roughly 1,000 souls, and Father Koster secured three acres on Russell Road for the present plant. The current Gothic-style church, built of Virginia fieldstone and Indiana limestone, was dedicated on December 18, 1949, and the school followed in September 1952. Subsequent pastors added a Legion of Mary, the Fifty-Plus Club, central air conditioning, a re-done interior, a magnificent pipe organ (dedicated 1990), and — in 2011 — a preschool in the Parish Center offering Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The parish marked 100 years on September 21, 2024, with a special Mass, picnic, and an original play about Saint Rita's life.
- Mission founded 1912–1914; first Mass July 16, 1913
- Original Hickory Street church dedicated October 1914
- Elevated to parish September 21, 1924
- Current church dedicated December 18, 1949
- School dedicated September 1952
- Preschool opened September 6, 2011
- 100th parish anniversary celebrated September 21, 2024
Our Priests, Deacon, and Staff
Saint Rita is currently served by a pastor, a parochial vicar, a priest in residence, and a permanent deacon, supported by a full lay staff in sacred music, religious education, youth and young adult ministry, business, facilities, and Hispanic liaison work. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 9 pm; the parish office can be reached at 703-836-1640.
- Pastor: Rev. Christopher P. Christensen (ext. 17)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Nicholas J. Schierer (ext. 30)
- In Residence: Fr. Paul Berghout (ext. 15)
- Permanent Deacon: Deacon Stephen J. Dixon
- Director of Sacred Music: Lawrence Bowie (ext. 29)
- Director of Religious Education: Chloe Holloway (ext. 12)
- Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry: Maria Goitiandia (ext. 38)
- Business Manager: Debbie Beck (ext. 13)
- Parish Secretary and Hispanic Liaison: Alma Ramirez (ext. 10)
- Sacristan / Bulletin Editor: Elizabeth Vail (ext. 11)
- Facilities Manager: Craig Webb
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Religious Education program (CCD) assists parents in handing on the Catholic Faith to children in grades 1 through 12. Sacramental preparation for First Holy Communion typically begins in 1st grade and for Confirmation in 7th grade; both require two years of formation. Homeschool families register for Religious Education to remain on the sacramental preparation list and may opt to teach the faith at home. The program includes the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based approach offered at the parish since 2011. The Director of Religious Education is Chloe Holloway (ext. 12).
- Religious Education (CCD) — English and Spanish tracks, grades 1–12
- First Holy Communion prep — begins in 1st grade, two-year program
- Confirmation prep — begins in 7th grade, two-year program; reception in 8th grade
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Montessori) — since 2011
- Contact: Chloe Holloway, [email protected], ext. 12
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) welcomes anyone interested in becoming Catholic, baptized Catholics who have not yet received Eucharist or Confirmation, and fully initiated Catholics who want to deepen their faith. Classes are offered in both English (RICA en Español) and meet weekly, culminating in the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
- English OCIA — contact Fr. Will, [email protected]
- Spanish RICA — contact Fr. Christensen, [email protected]
- Sacraments received at the Easter Vigil
Saint Rita Catholic School
Saint Rita Catholic School is a PreK–Grade 8 classical Catholic school on the parish campus at 3801 Russell Road (phone 703-548-1888). Founded in 1952 and originally staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph from Philadelphia, the school is guided by the conviction that 'the soul of education is the education of the soul' (Pope Pius XI). A preschool, opened in the Parish Center in fall 2011, added an early-childhood program and serves as the home for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium.
- PreK–Grade 8 classical Catholic school
- Opened September 15, 1952 (originally staffed by Sisters of St. Joseph)
- Preschool opened September 6, 2011 in the Parish Center
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium located at the preschool
- 3801 Russell Road, Alexandria, VA 22305 — (703) 548-1888
- Website: saintrita-school.org
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Saint Rita's youth and young adult apostolates form one of the most active parts of parish life. The High School Youth Ministry meets every Thursday from 6:30–8:30 pm for talks, service, and fellowship, and the parish sends a delegation to the Diocesan WorkCamp each summer. Middle School youth small groups and the Young Adults Apostolate (ages 19–35) round out a robust formation pathway that includes a weekly Monday Bible study, a monthly potluck brunch, and a monthly women's group studying Fulton Sheen's 'Life is Worth Living.'
- High School Youth Ministry — Thursdays, 6:30–8:30 pm (Sept–May)
- Middle School Youth Ministry — monthly small groups
- Diocesan WorkCamp participation each summer
- Young Adults Apostolate (19–35): Monday Bible study 7–9 pm in the Convent
- Young Adults Potluck Brunch — 4th Sunday of the month, 10:30 am–2 pm
- Young Adults Women's Group — 4th Wednesday, 8:00–9:30 pm
- Contact: Maria Goitiandia, [email protected], ext. 38
Apostolates & Parish Groups
The parish hosts a wide array of lay apostolates and societies — spiritual, service-oriented, family-based, and cultural — listed on the parish website under 'Apostolates.' Together they give shape to daily parish life and offer something for nearly every age, stage, and interest. Groups mentioned on the website or in the Catholic Herald profile include the Legion of Mary (Senior and Junior), Society of Patricians, Knights of Columbus, American Heritage Girls, Troops of St. George, men's and women's groups, the homeschool community, and the Fifty-Plus Club.
- Legion of Mary (Senior and Junior)
- Society of Patricians (sponsored by the Legion of Mary)
- Knights of Columbus Council
- American Heritage Girls Troop
- Troops of St. George
- Men's Group and Women's Group
- Homeschool Group
- Fifty-Plus Club
- Parish Social Outreach (500+ people served annually)
- Miraculous Medal Novena (Monday evenings, since the early 1940s)
Hispanic Community & Spanish-Language Ministry
Reflecting a long-running influx of Central American immigrants into the region, Saint Rita's Hispanic Community has become an integral part of parish life. A weekly Sunday Mass in Spanish is offered at 1:00 pm, with confession beforehand at 12:30 pm, and the community supports its own Legion of Mary praesidium, young adult group, and music ministry. The annual Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration in December brings together the Hispanic and English-speaking communities with mariachi music and hot chocolate after Mass. The parish secretary and Hispanic liaison is Alma Ramirez (ext. 10).
- Spanish Sunday Mass — 1:00 pm
- Spanish confessions — Sundays 12:30 pm
- RICA (Spanish OCIA) — contact Fr. Christensen
- Hispanic Legion of Mary, young adult group, and music ministry
- Annual Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration (December) with mariachi
- Hispanic Liaison: Alma Ramirez, [email protected], ext. 10
Sacred Music
Music has been part of Saint Rita's worship since the days of a simple pump organ in the Hickory Street church. The parish's magnificent pipe organ, dedicated in 1990, anchors a strong sacred music program directed by Lawrence Bowie that continues to elevate worship with reverence and beauty, complementing choirs and the Hispanic music ministry.
- Pipe organ dedicated in 1990
- Director of Sacred Music: Lawrence Bowie (ext. 29)
- Weekly choirs and a parish-strong tradition of liturgical music
Sacraments & Marriage Preparation
Saint Rita prepares parishioners for the sacraments through age-appropriate, multi-year formation. First Communion and Confirmation each require two years of preparation (typically beginning in 1st and 7th grade respectively). Confirmation in the Extraordinary Form is available by request, and adult Confirmation is handled through OCIA. For marriage, Saint Rita uses the Witness to Love program, in which married couples mentor engaged couples — a model with both English and Spanish tracks.
- First Communion prep — begins 1st grade, two years
- Confirmation prep — begins 7th grade, reception in 8th grade (spring)
- Confirmation in the Extraordinary Form available by request
- Adult Confirmation through OCIA
- Marriage: Witness to Love mentoring program (English and Spanish)
- Confession schedule and by appointment
- Baptism and Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office
Visit, Register, and Get Involved
Newcomers are warmly welcomed at Saint Rita. The parish maintains a Parish Registration form for those wishing to become official members, and a Donate link on the homepage supports the parish's mission and outreach. Visitors can pick up flyers in the church vestibules, browse the weekly bulletin online, attend a youth night, join the Young Adults Bible study, or sign up for an hour of Eucharistic Adoration.
- Parish Registration form available on website
- Weekly Bulletin posted online
- Weekly Note from Fr. Christensen
- Donate link on homepage
- Office: 703-836-1640, Monday–Friday, 9 am – 9 pm
- School: 703-548-1888
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Leonard J. Koster1924–1947
Founding pastor; oversaw mission's elevation to parish status; secured Russell Road property.
- Monsignor Gallagher1947–1967
Built the current church (dedicated 1949), school (1952), rectory, convent and annex; famous for visiting more than 100 parish homes a week.
- Fr. Edward P. Browne1967–1972
Established a Legion of Mary praesidium and the Fifty-Plus Club; installed central air conditioning in the church.
- Fr. Francis L. Bradican1972–c.1986
Led re-decoration of the church interior; presided over the 1974 Golden Jubilee with Bishop Thomas J. Welsh.
- Fr. Martin McGuill1986–1992
- Fr. Clarence Watkins1992–2000
- Fr. Denis Donahue2000–2010
- Fr. Daniel Gee2010–2021
Tenure saw the 2011 opening of the preschool and continued growth of Hispanic ministries.
- Fr. Christopher P. Christensen2021–present
Current pastor; led the 100th anniversary celebration in 2024.