Virge

The virge is the staff which a verger carries in procession. The name comes from the Latin virga, “rod” or “staff.” It goes back to the ceremonial mace carried before civic and ecclesiastical dignitaries. It was originally a weapon used to clear the way for processions and to control unruly choristers. One end has a cross or other Christian symbol on it. A longer variation of the virge is called the beadle, originally used to lead academic processions.