Quick Facts
Founded
1914
Denomination
Roman Catholic
Service Times
Multiple Sunday and weekday Masses; Traditional Latin Mass offered
Men's Ministry
Yes
Kids Ministry
Yes
Pastor Credentials
Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales; Roman Catholic ordained
10-Point Theological Scorecard
Christology
Is Jesus the only way? (John 14:6)
Orthodox Trinitarian; affirms Apostles/Nicene Creed.
Strong
Scripture
Inerrancy affirmed? Final authority?
Scripture + Sacred Tradition + Magisterium co-equal.
Caution
Men's Discipleship
Intentional formation for men?
Knights of Columbus; traditional Catholic men's groups.
Caution
Soteriology
Faith alone? How is salvation presented?
Council of Trent anathematized sola fide.
WARNING!
Gender / Biblical Design
Biblical manhood and womanhood by God's design — patriarchal, complementarian, egalitarian, or affirming gender ideology?
Male-only priests; Marian/saint veneration.
Male-only priesthood; traditional Latin liturgy.
Caution
Leadership Structure
Male elders/pastors? Accountability?
Fr. Christensen listed on weekly pastor note; staff page lists full priest roster.
Strong
Preaching Style
Expository or topical/therapeutic?
Lectionary-based; traditional preaching given TLM presence.
Caution
Mission Clarity
Great Commission central?
Active parish with school.
Caution
Cultural Alignment
DEI/CRT language? Social justice crowding out gospel?
Homepage confirms Diocese of Arlington affiliation; 1914 founding under patronage of Saint Rita of Cascia. TLM NOT surfaced on homepage — TLM tag may be outdated. Fr. Christensen weekly note confirmed. Male-only priests/deacon role structure confirmed. Red rating (soteriology) holds per rubric.
Caution
Accountability Structure
Denominational home, elder plurality, or external network — is the pastor answerable to anyone?
Real oversight — Diocese of Arlington; MSFS religious order.
Strong
Assessment
St. Rita Alexandria (1914) is one of the few Diocese of Arlington parishes offering the Traditional Latin Mass, administered by Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales under Fr. Dharmaraj. Highly traditional Catholic profile — for Catholics drawn to the pre-Vatican II liturgy. Same red-flag soteriological divergence from sola fide (Trent) but strongest possible Trinitarian orthodoxy and traditional moral theology.
#roman-catholic#sola-fide-rejected#diocese-of-arlington#traditional-latin-mass#religious-order
MOOP Engagement Tracker
How this church was personally verified by the MOOP directory team:
✓
Researched church website
Last reviewed:
2026-05-16
— Annual review recommended
3815 Russell Road, Alexandria, VA 22305
Visit Their Website