Sergius and Bacchus | 7 October
| C
| The people’s Anglican missal in the American edition (1946)
| Martyrs, ca. 303
Sergius and Bacchus were soldiers in the Roman army who, because of their Christian faith, refused to take part in the Emperor Maximian’s annual sacrifice to Jupiter, and so were tortured and put to death. They have come to be regarded as patron saints of gay male couples. Some of the material in this proper is based on an article: Celebrating SS Sergius & Bacchus MM, Christian archetypes of lesbian & gay marriages, by Paul Woodrum (1991)
This proper is presented in memory of a fellow liturgical scholar, Mark Emory Graham, who entered larger life on Maundy Thursday 1996.
Part 1. English Rite I
Introit | Hi sequuntur | Revelation 14:4,5/Psalm 119:1

_T
hese are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth; these were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb; for they are without fault before the throne of God. Psalm. Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way, and walk in the law of the Lord. Gloria Patri.

Missale romanum (1964), Sancti Dominici Savio | |
Gloria in excelsis is omitted. | |
Collect | |

_A
lmighty God, who didst give to thy servants Sergius and Bacchus the grace to love one another, the humility to bear one another’s weaknesses, and the courage to confess the Name of Jesus before the rulers of this world and to die for this faith: Grant, we beseech thee, unto us thy servants a like unfeigned love and unashamed fidelity, that we may receive with them the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our friend, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Celebrating SS Sergius & Bacchus MM, Christian archetypes of lesbian & gay marriages” by Paul Woodrum (1991) | |
Odd years | Even years
Lesson	Ecclesiasticus 6:14-17 | Epistle	1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Gradual | Anima nostra sicut | Psalm 124:7/8
Our soul is escaped even as a bird out of the snare of the fowler. Verse. The snare is broken, and we are delivered; our help standeth in the Name of the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth. | |
Graduale romanum (1961), Sanctorum Innocentium | |
Alleluia | Justi epulentur | Psalm 68:3
Alleluia, alleluia. Verse. Let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; let them also be merry and joyful. Alleluia. | |
Graduale romanum (1961), Commune Plurimorum Martyrum extra Tempus Paschali II | |
The Holy Gospel	Matthew 10:6-22 | |
The Nicene Creed is omitted | |
Collect after the Prayers of the People | |
O Lord our God, benefactor and friend of the human race: Grant, we beseech thee, to all thy servants unashamed fidelity, a sound and holy love, and all things needed for salvation and eternal life; through Jesus Christ, the joy of loving hearts, who with thee and the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. | |
“Celebrating SS Sergius & Bacchus MM, Christian archetypes of lesbian & gay marriages” by Paul Woodrum (1991) | |
Offertory | Exsultabunt | Psalm 149:5,6
Let the saints be joyful with glory, let them rejoice in their beds; let the praises of God be in their mouth. | |
Graduale romanum (1961), Commune Plurimorum Martyrum II | |
Secret | |
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, thy Name is praised, O Lord, for that thou hast raised us from the dust and set before us the vision of thy glory. As thou hast bestowed upon us the dignity of a royal priesthood, so lift up our hearts as we celebrate thy praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. | |
Celebrating common prayer (1992), Collect on Psalm 34 | |
Preface of a Saint (3) | |
Communion | Tu Domine | Psalm 12:7
Thou shalt keep us, O Lord; thou shalt preserve us from this generation for ever. | |
Graduale romanum (1961), Feria Sexta post Dominica Secunda Quadragesimæ | |
Postcommunion Collect | |
Divine Lover, we give thee thanks for the life and love of thy holy martyrs, Sergius and Bacchus. Grant that we, like them, may always honour thee with our own lives and loves, that in right relationship one with another, our faith in thee may grow day by day; through Jesus Christ our hope and our refuge of salvation, who with thee and the Holy Spirit, liveth and loveth for ever and ever. Amen. | |
Mark Emory Graham | |
Part 2. English Rite II
Introit | Hi sequuntur | Revelation 14:4,5/Psalm 119:1

_I
t is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes; these have been redeemed from humankind as first fruits for God and the Lamb, for they are spotless before the throne of God. Psalm. Happy are they whose way is blameless; who walk in the law of the Lord! Gloria Patri.

Missale romanum (1964), Sancti Dominici Savio | |
Gloria in excelsis is omitted. | |
Collect | |

_A
lmighty God, who gave to your servants Sergius and Bacchus the grace to love one another, the humility to bear one another’s weaknesses, and the courage to confess the Name of Jesus before the rulers of this world and to die for this faith: Grant to us your servants a like unfeigned love and unashamed fidelity, that we may receive with them the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our friend, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Celebrating SS Sergius & Bacchus MM, Christian archetypes of lesbian & gay marriages” by Paul Woodrum (1991) | |
Odd years | Even years
Lesson	Ecclesiasticus 6:14-17 | Epistle	1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Gradual | Ex omnibus terroribus | Psalm 34:4, with verses 1,2/3,4/5,6/7,8
The refrain is recited first by a leader or cantor and then repeated by the congregation. It is repeated again by all where indicated in the text. | |
Refrain. The Lord delivered me out of all my terror. | |
V. I will bless the Lord at all times; * his praise shall ever be in my mouth. | |
V. I will glory in the Lord; * let the humble hear and rejoice. | |
Refrain. | |
V. Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord; * let us exalt his Name together. | |
V. I sought the Lord, and he answered me * and delivered me out of all my terror. | |
Refrain. | |
V. Look upon him and be radiant, * and let not your faces be ashamed. | |
V. I called in my affliction and the Lord heard me * and saved me from all my troubles. | |
Refrain. | |
V. The angel of the Lord encompasses those who fear him, * and he will deliver them. | |
V. Taste and see that the Lord is good; * happy are they who trust in him! | |
Refrain. | |
Missale romanum cum lectionibus (1977), Commune Beatæ Mariæ Virginis | |
Alleluia | Esto fidelis | Revelation 2:10
Alleluia, alleluia. Verse. Be faithful until death, says the Lord, and I will give you the crown of life. Alleluia. | |
Missale romanum cum lectionibus (1977), Ad Postulandum Gratiam Bene Moriendi | |
The Holy Gospel	Matthew 10:6-22 | |
The Nicene Creed is omitted | |
Collect after the Prayers of the People | |
O Lord our God, benefactor and friend of the human race: Grant to all your servants unashamed fidelity, a sound and holy love, and all things needed for salvation and eternal life; through Jesus Christ, the joy of loving hearts, who with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. | |
“Celebrating SS Sergius & Bacchus MM, Christian archetypes of lesbian & gay marriages” by Paul Woodrum (1991) | |
Offertory | Exsultabunt | Psalm 149:5,6
Let the faithful rejoice in triumph, let them be joyful on their beds; let the praises of God be in their throat. | |
Graduale romanum (1961), Commune Plurimorum Martyrum II | |
Secret | |
From the rising of the sun to its going down, your Name is praised, O Lord, for you have raised us from the dust and set before us the vision of your glory. As you bestowed upon us the dignity of a royal priesthood, so lift up our hearts as we celebrate your praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. | |
Celebrating common prayer (1992), Collect on Psalm 34 | |
Preface of a Saint (3) | |
Communion | Tu Domine | Psalm 12:7
O Lord, watch over us, and save us from this generation for ever. | |
Graduale romanum (1961), Feria Sexta post Dominica Secunda Quadragesimæ | |
Postcommunion Collect | |
Divine Lover, we give you thanks for the life and love of your holy martyrs, Sergius and Bacchus. Grant that we, like them, may always honor you with our own lives and loves, that in right relationship with one another, our faith in you may grow day by day; through Jesus Christ our hope and our refuge of salvation, who with thee and the Holy Spirit, lives and loves for ever and ever. Amen. | |
Mark Emory Graham | |

Parte 3. Español
Introito | Hi sequuntur | Apocalipsis 14:4,5/Salmo 119:1

_E
stos son los que siguen al Cordero adondequiera que va; estos fueron rescatados de entre los hombres, como primicias para Dios y para el Cordero; y son inmaculados ante el trono de Dios. Salmo. ¡Dichosos los de camino intachable, los que andan en la ley del Señor! Gloria Patri.

Missale romanum (1964), Sancti Dominici Savio | |
Gloria in excelsis se omite. | |
Colecta | |

_D
ios todopoderoso, que diste a tus siervos Sergio y Baco la gracia para amarse el uno al otro, la humildad para soportarse la debilidad el uno al otro, y la fortaleza para confesar el Nombre de Jesús ante los gobernadores de este mundo y para morir por esta fe: Concédenos a tus siervos un semejante amor no fingido y fidelidad no avergonzada; para que recibamos con ellos la corona de la vida; por Jesucristo nuestro amigo, que vive y reina contigo y el Espíritu Santo, un solo Dios, por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.

“Celebrating SS Sergius & Bacchus MM, Christian archetypes of lesbian & gay marriages”, de Paul Woodrum (1991) | |
Años impares | Años pares
Lección	Eclesiástico 6:14-17 | Epístola	1 Corintios 13:1-13
Gradual | Ex omnibus terroribus | Salmo 34:4, con versículos 1,2/3,4/5,6/7,8
Un cantor o lector recita primero la antífona y el pueblo la repite. Todos la repiten otra vez cuando se indica en el texto. | |
Antífona. El Señor me libró de todos mis temores. | |
V. Bendeciré al Señor en todo tiempo; * su alabanza estará siempre en mi boca. | |
V. En el Señor me gloriaré; * lo oigan los mansos y se regocijen. | |
Antífona. | |
V. Proclamen conmigo la grandeza del Señor; * ensalcemos a una su Nombre. | |
V. Busqué al Señor y él me respondió, * y me libró de todos mis temores. | |
Antífona. | |
V. A él miren y sean alumbrados, * y sus rostros no se avergüencen. | |
V. Este pobre clamó, y el Señor le oyó, * y lo libró de todas sus angustias. | |
Antífona. | |
V. El ángel del Señor acampa en derredor de los que le temen, * y los libertará. | |
V. Gusten, y vean que es bueno el Señor; * dichosos los que en él confían. | |
Antífona. | |
Missale romanum cum lectionibus (1977), Commune Beatæ Mariæ Virginis | |
Aleluya | Esto fidelis | Apocalipsis 2:10
Aleluya, aleluya. Versículo. Sé fiel hasta la muerte, dice el Señor, y te daré la corona de la vida. Aleluya. | |
Missale romanum cum lectionibus (1977), Ad Postulandum Gratiam Bene Moriendi | |
El Santo Evangelio	Mateo 10:6-22 | |
El Credo Niceno se omite | |
Colecta después de la Oración de los Fieles | |
Oh Señor Dios nuestro, benefactor y amigo del género humano: Concede a todos tus siervos fidelidad sin vergüenza, un amor firme y santo, y todas las cosas necesarios para la salvación y la vida eterna; por Jesucristo, el gozo de los corazones amorosos, que contigo y el Espíritu Santo, vive y reina, un solo Dios, por los siglos de los siglos. Amén. | |
“Celebrating SS Sergius & Bacchus MM, Christian archetypes of lesbian & gay marriages”, de Paul Woodrum (1991) | |
Ofertorio | Exsultabunt | Salmo 149:5,6
Regocíjense los fieles en su triunfo, y alégrense sobre sus camas; estén las alabanzas de Dios en sus labios. | |
Graduale romanum (1961), Commune Plurimorum Martyrum II | |
Secreta | |
Desde donde el sol nace hasta donde se pone, es alabado tu Nombre, oh Señor, porque tú nos has levantado desde el polvo y puesto delante de nosotros la visión de tu gloria. Como tú nos has conferido la dignidad de un sacerdocio real, así levanta nuestros corazones mientras celebramos tu alabanza; por Jesucristo nuestro Señor. Amén. | |
Celebrating common prayer (1992), Colecta sobre Salmo 34 | |
Prefacio de un Santo (3) | |
Comunión | Tu Domine | Salmo 12:7
Tú, oh Señor, nos guardarás; de esta generación nos preservarás para siempre. | |
Graduale romanum (1961), Feria Sexta post Dominica Secunda Quadragesimæ | |
Poscomunión | |
Divino Amador, te damos gracias por la vida y el amor de tus santos mártires, Sergio y Baco. Concede que nosotros, como ellos, siempre te honremos con nuestras propias vidas y amores, para que en relación recta uno con otro, nuestra fe en ti crezca de día en día; por Jesucristo nuestra esperanza y nuestro refugio de salvación, que contigo y el Espíritu Santo, vive y ama por los siglos de los siglos. Amén. | |
Mark Emory Graham | |

Anglican Gradual and Sacramentary
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