"In Evangelio Dominus Apostolis praecepit, ut in praedcatione
nihil praeter virgam tollerent. Et quia Episcopi pastores gregis
Dominici sunt, ideo baculum in custodia praeferunt: per baculum,
quo infirmi sustentatur, auctoritas doctrinae designatur; per
virgam, qua improbi emendantur, potestas regiminis figuratur.
Baculum ergo Pontifices portant, ut infirmos in Fide per
doctrinam erigant. Virgam bajulant, ut per potestatem inquietos
corrigant: quae virga vel baculus est recurvus, ut aberrantes a
grege docendo ad poenitetiam trabat; in extremo est acutus, ut
rebelles excommunicando retrudat; haereticos, velut lupos, ab
ovili Christi potestative exterreat."--_In Gemma Animae_, lib. i.
cap. 218, 219., _apud Hitterpium_.
In its primitive form it appears to have been a staff shaped like a T,
and used to lean upon. It was gradually lengthened, and in some cases
was finished at the top like a mace. The pastoral staff is mentioned in
the _Life of S. Caesarius of Arles_.
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