| What is Mission St. Sergius An Open Welcoming and Affirming Catholic Ministry of the Franciscans of Divine Mercy and Love of God |
History of Saints Sergius and Bacchus
Sergius and Bacchus were soldiers in the Roman army, attached to the household of the Emperor
Maximilian. They were Christians. And they were lovers.
But it was not for their sexuality these young men were canonized. It was for their faith -- one of
history's most poignant ironies, given the church's unflinching campaign against gay love. When ordered
to enter the Temple of Jupiter to participate in a sacrificial ceremony to the god, they refused. For this
act of defiance, the lovers were stripped of their arms and badges of rank, dressed in women's clothing
and led through the streets of Arabissus (near Comana in Cappadocia) -- for a Roman soldier, an abject
humiliation. Then they were sent to Resapha in Syria (Augusta Euphratesiae in Mesopotamia), where
they were tortured. Bacchus was whipped until his flesh was raw; he died October 1st AD290, confessing
his faith in Christ.
Sergius's faith faltered with the death of his lover, but was reinforced when Bacchus appeared to him in a
vision saying, "I am still with you in the bond of our union." Sergius kept the faith; after torture, he was
beheaded on October 7th AD290. Like his lover, he died a martyr to the new religion.
The tomb of S. Sergius at Resapha become a famous shrine and was honored by great gatherings of
Christians because of the frequent miracles there. Sergius and Bacchus became the heavenly protectors of
the Byzantine army, with the two Theodores, Demetrius, Procopius and George. Their "acts" are
preserved in Latin, Greek and Syria. In AD431, Bishop Alexander of Hierapolis built a magnificent
church in his honor. In 434, the town of Resapha was raised to the rank of an episcopal see and was
named Sergiopolis and soon became one of the greatest pilgrimage centers of the East. Many churches in
many towns bore the name of Sergius (sometimes with Bacchus) and in the seventh century, a church was
dedicated to them in Rome.
During the Middle Ages, the relationship of Sergius and Bacchus was considered an exemplar of
compassionate union, and possibly even marriage, based on agape (brotherly love) and mutual respect.
The East, Sergius and Bacchus were universally honored. Since the seventh century they have a celebrated
church in Rome. Christian art represents the two saints as soldiers in military garb with branches of palm
in their hands. Their feast is observed on 7 October.
Sergius and Bacchus were soldiers in the Roman army, attached to the household of the Emperor
Maximilian. They were Christians. And they were lovers.
But it was not for their sexuality these young men were canonized. It was for their faith -- one of
history's most poignant ironies, given the church's unflinching campaign against gay love. When ordered
to enter the Temple of Jupiter to participate in a sacrificial ceremony to the god, they refused. For this
act of defiance, the lovers were stripped of their arms and badges of rank, dressed in women's clothing
and led through the streets of Arabissus (near Comana in Cappadocia) -- for a Roman soldier, an abject
humiliation. Then they were sent to Resapha in Syria (Augusta Euphratesiae in Mesopotamia), where
they were tortured. Bacchus was whipped until his flesh was raw; he died October 1st AD290, confessing
his faith in Christ.
Sergius's faith faltered with the death of his lover, but was reinforced when Bacchus appeared to him in a
vision saying, "I am still with you in the bond of our union." Sergius kept the faith; after torture, he was
beheaded on October 7th AD290. Like his lover, he died a martyr to the new religion.
The tomb of S. Sergius at Resapha become a famous shrine and was honored by great gatherings of
Christians because of the frequent miracles there. Sergius and Bacchus became the heavenly protectors of
the Byzantine army, with the two Theodores, Demetrius, Procopius and George. Their "acts" are
preserved in Latin, Greek and Syria. In AD431, Bishop Alexander of Hierapolis built a magnificent
church in his honor. In 434, the town of Resapha was raised to the rank of an episcopal see and was
named Sergiopolis and soon became one of the greatest pilgrimage centers of the East. Many churches in
many towns bore the name of Sergius (sometimes with Bacchus) and in the seventh century, a church was
dedicated to them in Rome.
During the Middle Ages, the relationship of Sergius and Bacchus was considered an exemplar of
compassionate union, and possibly even marriage, based on agape (brotherly love) and mutual respect.
The East, Sergius and Bacchus were universally honored. Since the seventh century they have a celebrated
church in Rome. Christian art represents the two saints as soldiers in military garb with branches of palm
in their hands. Their feast is observed on 7 October.
Our Mission is entering our ninth year.
Beginning in April 2011 Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus will celebrate it's founding with the
establishment of Yahoo group for the ministry.
We are now reaching more than 1500 individuals all over the globe through our web site, yahoo and MSN
groups, and by posting other open and affirming Christian groups and on web Blog sites like Yahoo
Profile, and Yahoo Groups, HI5, FACEBOOK, Twitter and others.
The mission was founded because I found very little being done in the Boston diocese and throughout
most of the New England region by the Roman Catholic Church to encourage people who have felt
alienated and rejected because of divorce, or their sexual orientation or who had become disenchanted
and angered because of the horrific molestation scandal that rocked the church and the actions of the
hierarchy.
I attempted to have the local parishes support the mission similar to the one which Cardinal Roger
Mahoney of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles founded 25 years ago which I worked with until my
retirement in 2001.
I was not only rejected but told that I was being a heretic because I was advocating something that was
against church policy even though the conference of Catholic Bishops published statements in ALWAYS
OUR CHILDREN and A CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE FOR EDUCATION AND LIFELONG
LEARNING page 55 and TO LIVE IN CHRIST JESUS page 19 and in HUMAN SEXUALITY, A
CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE outlining how GLBT Catholics should be welcomed and loved by their
families and treated with compassion and acceptance within the parish community.
I cannot say that at the time I did not have doubts, but because of the events that happened quickly after
my founding the Yahoo group, I became assured that this was indeed the will of God.
Within two weeks of establishing the group, I received a letter by informing me that I would be welcomed
as member of the Franciscan order, not only that, but upon reviewing my credentials and references, they
decided that I qualified to be ordained a priest and so on The feast of The Assumption, August 15th I was
ordained at Georgetown University.
Since December 2010 I have been the chaplain to the Franklin Skilled Nursing Facility and we celebrate
mass there on the second Saturday of the month which is open to the public. I recently was appointed as
the chaplain at Sunbridge Facility in Milford Massachusetts as well and mass is celebrated there on the
first Saturday of every month. During the week I make the rounds of the rooms at both nursing facilities
visiting with the residents and bringing them Eucharist I also make visits to hospicises in the region and I
celebrate mass in the homes of members of the Missions' faith community while we search for a suitable
space for a chapel.
Our message of God's infinite mercy and love for all His children regardless of their race, creed or sexual
or marital situation is one that has been received with thanksgiving by people of all denominations and
even receives the respect and praise of many "hard line Roman Catholics".
Though the inconveniences of not having a permanent place of worship do frustrate me, I know there is
so much to be done and I am grateful to God for the affirmation He gives me each and every day in the
thankful letters and phone calls I receive.
I pray, that in my humble way I may somehow be an faithful instrument of Almighty God in the
rebuilding and reunification of The One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church and in renewing the faith and
love of Almighty God in those who have left because of feeling unwanted, rejected, or disenchanted with
the dictates of a church that is not living the teachings of Jesus Christ.
I ask you to pray that Almighty God will continue to give me; the strength, endurance and the means to
carry on the growth and work of the Mission through His Love and that God guide me through the Holy
Spirit to find and reach out to those who are hurting with the message of His love and mercy, instilling in
them an ever increasing faith and the knowledge to know and understand His will for them.
The power of prayer and frequent reception of the Eucharist can overcome all obstacles.
May Almighty God continue to bless the work of all who are dedicated to proclaiming His truth and may
He put the events in action for a unification of all who proclaim Jesus Savior and Redeemer.
Rev. Robert Francis Johnnene OFD
Beginning in April 2011 Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus will celebrate it's founding with the
establishment of Yahoo group for the ministry.
We are now reaching more than 1500 individuals all over the globe through our web site, yahoo and MSN
groups, and by posting other open and affirming Christian groups and on web Blog sites like Yahoo
Profile, and Yahoo Groups, HI5, FACEBOOK, Twitter and others.
The mission was founded because I found very little being done in the Boston diocese and throughout
most of the New England region by the Roman Catholic Church to encourage people who have felt
alienated and rejected because of divorce, or their sexual orientation or who had become disenchanted
and angered because of the horrific molestation scandal that rocked the church and the actions of the
hierarchy.
I attempted to have the local parishes support the mission similar to the one which Cardinal Roger
Mahoney of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles founded 25 years ago which I worked with until my
retirement in 2001.
I was not only rejected but told that I was being a heretic because I was advocating something that was
against church policy even though the conference of Catholic Bishops published statements in ALWAYS
OUR CHILDREN and A CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE FOR EDUCATION AND LIFELONG
LEARNING page 55 and TO LIVE IN CHRIST JESUS page 19 and in HUMAN SEXUALITY, A
CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE outlining how GLBT Catholics should be welcomed and loved by their
families and treated with compassion and acceptance within the parish community.
I cannot say that at the time I did not have doubts, but because of the events that happened quickly after
my founding the Yahoo group, I became assured that this was indeed the will of God.
Within two weeks of establishing the group, I received a letter by informing me that I would be welcomed
as member of the Franciscan order, not only that, but upon reviewing my credentials and references, they
decided that I qualified to be ordained a priest and so on The feast of The Assumption, August 15th I was
ordained at Georgetown University.
Since December 2010 I have been the chaplain to the Franklin Skilled Nursing Facility and we celebrate
mass there on the second Saturday of the month which is open to the public. I recently was appointed as
the chaplain at Sunbridge Facility in Milford Massachusetts as well and mass is celebrated there on the
first Saturday of every month. During the week I make the rounds of the rooms at both nursing facilities
visiting with the residents and bringing them Eucharist I also make visits to hospicises in the region and I
celebrate mass in the homes of members of the Missions' faith community while we search for a suitable
space for a chapel.
Our message of God's infinite mercy and love for all His children regardless of their race, creed or sexual
or marital situation is one that has been received with thanksgiving by people of all denominations and
even receives the respect and praise of many "hard line Roman Catholics".
Though the inconveniences of not having a permanent place of worship do frustrate me, I know there is
so much to be done and I am grateful to God for the affirmation He gives me each and every day in the
thankful letters and phone calls I receive.
I pray, that in my humble way I may somehow be an faithful instrument of Almighty God in the
rebuilding and reunification of The One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church and in renewing the faith and
love of Almighty God in those who have left because of feeling unwanted, rejected, or disenchanted with
the dictates of a church that is not living the teachings of Jesus Christ.
I ask you to pray that Almighty God will continue to give me; the strength, endurance and the means to
carry on the growth and work of the Mission through His Love and that God guide me through the Holy
Spirit to find and reach out to those who are hurting with the message of His love and mercy, instilling in
them an ever increasing faith and the knowledge to know and understand His will for them.
The power of prayer and frequent reception of the Eucharist can overcome all obstacles.
May Almighty God continue to bless the work of all who are dedicated to proclaiming His truth and may
He put the events in action for a unification of all who proclaim Jesus Savior and Redeemer.
Rev. Robert Francis Johnnene OFD
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