St. Raymond of Penafort (Diocese of Arlington)
| Saint Raymond of Penyafort Catholic Church | |
 | |
| Dedication: | Saint Raymond of Penyafort |
| Venerated Saints: | Our Lady, Saint Joseph |
| Diocese: | Diocese of Arlington |
| Deanery: | Deanery 4 |
| Address: | 8750 Pohick Road, Springfield, VA 22153 |
| Coordinates: | 38.8361, -77.1964 |
| City: | Springfield, VA |
| Subdivision: | Virginia |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Fairfax County |
| Website: | https://straymonds.org |
| Founded: | 1973 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | office@straymonds.org |
Saint Raymond of Penyafort Catholic Church is a territorial parish in the Diocese of Arlington, located in Springfield, Virginia. Dedicated to Saint Raymond of Penyafort, the thirteenth-century Catalan Dominican priest, canon lawyer, and Master General of the Order of Preachers—canonized in 1601 by Pope Clement VIII and venerated for his contributions to moral theology, penitential practice, and missionary zeal—the parish emphasizes fidelity to Church teaching, reverent liturgy, and formation in the faith.
Established in 1973 amid suburban growth in Fairfax County, the parish initially celebrated Masses in local facilities before dedicating its current church building in 1982. As of December 19, 2025, Saint Raymond of Penyafort serves a large community with extensive ministries, including religious education, youth programs, and charitable outreach.
The parish community fosters devotion to its patron through celebration of his feast on January 7 and reflection on his legacy in canon law and Dominican spirituality.
History
Saint Raymond of Penyafort Parish was established in 1973 by the Diocese of Arlington to serve the growing Catholic population in the Springfield area.[1]
The church building was dedicated in 1982. The parish has developed robust programs in catechesis and evangelization over the decades.
Special features
- Emphasis on reverent liturgy and orthodox Catholic teaching
- Active religious education and adult formation programs
- Charitable ministries supporting local needs
Architecture
The church building, dedicated in 1982, reflects late twentieth-century design with a spacious sanctuary.
Art and devotional features
Specific details on stained glass windows, statues, sculptures, or other interior artwork are limited in publicly available sources as of December 19, 2025. Devotional elements typically include representations of Saint Raymond of Penyafort, often portraying him in Dominican habit with a book (symbolizing his legal writings) or key (from hagiographic accounts of his role in penitential reform).
Relics
According to established Catholic tradition, the main altar contains deposited relics, as is customary in dedicated churches. Specific details regarding the saints associated with these relics are not publicly documented in available sources. This follows common practice where first-class relics, often of martyrs, are sealed within the altar.