A FERULA or the ceremonial staff carried by the pope during Mass, made by a renowned ecclesiastical sculptor, was gifted to Pope Leo XIV by Cardinal Jose Advincula on Oct. 15 at the Vatican.
The ferula was sculpted by College of Fine Arts and Design alumnus Willy Layug.
“[This is a] very noble project. We (Advincula) are both Thomasians, so we want to produce something that will reflect our culture and can be given as a gift to the Holy Father,” Layug told the Varsitarian.
The ferula features a handcrafted, one-foot crucifix made of teakwood, and an encasement made of repurposed narra wood, bearing the coat of arms of Pope Leo.
The whole staff stands at 170 cm, and can be collapsed into three sections.
Advincula, a UST Central Seminary alumnus, gave the staff to the pope during the pontiff’s general audience.
The Manila archbishop came with the clergy of the Archdiocese of Manila for a retreat.
According to Layug, he chose teakwood due to its durability and stability.
He said the ferula is a “clear indication” of the faith instilled in Thomasians by the Pontifical University.
“Maganda ‘yong maipakita natin sa buong mundo [na] we’re products of Catholic schools like UST, ginagamit natin itong mga natutuhan natin sa University. At hindi lang ginagamit, isinasabuhay natin ‘yan,” Layug said.
Layug carved the Our Lady of Hope of Palo image used during the late Pope Francis’s 2015 visit to Tacloban and the crucifix at the main altar during the apostolic journey’s concluding Mass at Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
In 2016, Layug received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For Church and Pope) award from the late Pope Francis, in honor of his contributions to the 2015 papal visit.
The recognition is bestowed upon lay people for their services to the Church and is the highest honor the Church awards to the laity.
