The papal ferula (from Latin ferula 'rod'), is an ancient pastoral staff, established before the thirteenth century. It is essentially a staff topped by a cross (historically without the body of Christ), distinct from the crozier of bishops. The ferula also has a theological significance. It symbolizes the governance of the pope.
Further, it must be noted that for centuries, it was surmounted by a simple, unadorned cross, without the depiction of the crucified Lord. This tradition was deeply rooted in liturgical practice, visibly recalling that the Roman Pontiffs are to put themselves on the cross - they govern the Church in the name of the living, risen, and glorified Christ in Heaven.
As the ancient Ordines Romani explains, the ferula does not imitate the suffering of Christ: it proclaims the victory of the risen Lord. As St. John Chrysostom affirmed:
“When the bishop holds the ferula, it is as if Christ himself governs the Church through him; the unadorned cross, without the instruments of suffering, proclaims that he is alive and leading us.”
To carry a ferula surmounted by a crucifix – however stylized as it may be – focuses attention on the crucified Christ, whereas the Petrine ministry demands a proclamation of the Resurrection and the lordship of the living and glorified Christ who reigns as King.
As Pope Benedict XVI strongly reminded us in his seminal work, The Spirit of the Liturgy:
“The figure of the Crucified belongs on the altar and at the heart of the Eucharist. The papal ferula, on the other hand, signifies the governance entrusted to Peter by the living Christ.”
Some popes have used the ferula, such as Leo XIII and Pius XI. Other have not. Pope Paul VI revived the tradition and every pope since that time has carried the ferula on occasion.
Historically, popes did not use any type of ferula or crosier or pastoral staff as part of the papal liturgy. Possibly in the earliest years a crosier was carried. This is because popes do not receive their investiture from another bishop and their jurisdiction is universal. His authority does not encompass a diocese, but the entire world.
The ferula first made its appearance during the High Middle Ages. It signified the papal office. This would have been carried in the most solemn of ceremonies and processions, in the same manner as a bishop uses his crosier.
There are several versions of the ferula kept in the tesoro or sacristy of the Vatican Basilica. The ferule differ in appearance from traditional until the 1960s when they began to look thespian - given to the drama of the appealing to the Left. The pronounced splint of the legs has been a main complaint of liturgical enthusiasts.
The contorted looking ferula commissioned for Pope Paul VI had a contemporary image of Christ on the cross, depicting extreme swelling of the limbs, in some ways resembling a victim of elephantiasis. The distorted stylization was part of a new movement of expressionism that rescinded traditional accouterments in favor of 'shock' value.
The artist was Lello Scorzelli (1921-1997). It was given to the Pope in 1963, but was not used until the concluding ceremony of Vatican II on Dec. 8, 1965. The hands of Christ had claws with grotesque spider or crab limbs. The material used was aluminum and sliver.
Popes John Paul I and John Paul II carried the same ferula made for Pope Paul. In 1990, the same artist made a new version for Pope John Paul II, a replica that was lighter than the original. Pope Benedict used this ferula for the first few years of his pontificate.
In 1983, Pope John Paul II carried the majestic ferula of Pope Leo XII, recognizable with its three horizontal bars. The occasion was the opening of the Holy Door for the Holy Year of Redemption. In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI made use of the ferula of Pope Pius XI for Palm Sunday celebrations in St. Peter's Square.
In 2009 a new ferula was given to Pope Benedict XVI, a gift of the Circolo San Pietro. Pope Francis carried various versions, including a wooden one.
In some ways the traditional ferula brings to mind the 'paterissa' carried by bishops of the East.
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