A unique Christian-based religious group originating in Puerto Rico, known for its communal living and the leadership of Mita.
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Pentecostal
Founder: Juanita García Peraza (“Mita”)
Founded: 1940
Location: Originally founded in Puerto Rico, with expansion to other locations including the United States
Other Names: Iglesia Mita en Aarón, Mita en Aarón
Website: Mita Congregation (in Spanish)
The Mita Congregation is a Christian denomination with its roots deeply embedded in Puerto Rican soil, having been established in 1940 by Juanita García Peraza, also affectionately known as Mita. This movement represents a unique branch of Christianity, distinguished not only by its foundational leadership under a woman but also by its belief in the continuous manifestation of the Holy Spirit through human successors.
Juanita García Peraza was born in 1897 in Hatillo, Puerto Rico, into a family of wealthy Catholic immigrants from the Canary Islands. After experiencing a miraculous recovery from a severe illness, García Peraza, inspired by her promise to serve God if healed, diverged from her Catholic upbringing. She became one of the pioneering women in Puerto Rico to preach religion, eventually forming the Mita Congregation after purportedly receiving a revelation that she was the new embodiment of the Holy Spirit, named “Mita.”
The Mita Congregation officially began in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, with García Peraza and eleven other members. This group of founders believed in García Peraza’s divine selection to establish a new church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, now known as Mita. In 1947, the congregation relocated its headquarters to Hato Rey, where it continued to expand both locally and internationally.
Doctrine within the Mita Congregation is rooted in the Reina-Valera translation of the Bible, with a strong emphasis on the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but differs from the traditional Christian faith in its assertion that the Holy Spirit has manifested on Earth with a new name, Mita, and continues to guide the church through appointed human successors. Initially, García Peraza was recognized as the physical manifestation of Mita. After her passing in 1970, leadership passed to Teófilo Vargas Seín, known within the church as Aarón, and later to Rosinín Rodríguez, who currently holds the position of Spiritual Mother.
The Mita Congregation’s teachings focus on a message of love, freedom, and unity, aiming to transform individuals through divine grace. This is encapsulated in their belief in three divine dispensations: first, the Father (Jehovah), guiding his people through the prophets; second, the Son (Jesus Christ), revealing the path to salvation; and finally, the Holy Spirit (Mita), leading the faithful towards spiritual enlightenment and eternal life.
Today, the Mita Congregation boasts a presence in several countries across the Americas and Europe, with an estimated membership of 100,000 worldwide. Their activities are not limited to spiritual teachings but also include significant social work and community service, reflecting their foundational beliefs in practical, loving action.
image via Aleteia
