e of Institution of Ministers into Parishes or Churches,"
to be found in the Prayer-book.

Pastoral Letter.--A letter issued by the Rector of a Parish, or by
the Bishop of the Diocese on some subject affecting the welfare of
the Church in its devotions or work. Perhaps the most important of
such Pastoral Letters is that which is issued by the House of
Bishops at the close of each General Convention, touching on grave
questions of the day or on the prospects of the Church throughout
the nation, and which is required by canon to be read in all the
churches.

Pastoral Staff.--A staff used by a Bishop, as an ensign of his
office, at all public Episcopal Ministrations. It is generally borne
by his chaplain. The Pastoral Staff is made in the shape of a
shepherd's crook and is frequently given to the Bishop at his
consecration, to denote that he is then constituted a shepherd over
the Flock of Christ. This use of the {209} Pastoral Staff comes down
to us from the most ancient times.

Paten.--The plate, made of precious metal, on which the Bread is
consecrated at the Holy Communion and from which it is administered
to the communicants. When properly made, the lower part of the
Paten will fit into or over the edge of the chalice. The word is
derived from the Latin, _Patena_ or the Greek, _Patane_, meaning a
flat, open dish. (See VESSELS, SACRED.)

Paul, Conversion of Saint.--A feast of the Church observed on
January 25th, in memory of the Conversion of St. Paul, through
whose preaching God caused the Light of the Gospel to shine
throughout the world. St. Paul is not commemorated as the other
Apostles are, by his death or martyrdom, but as stated above, by
his Conversion because it was so wonderful in itself and was so
important and beneficial to the Church. He labored more abundantly
than they all. While the other Apostles had their particular fields
of labor, St. Paul had the care of all the churches and by his
labors contributed very much to the propagation of the Gospel
throughout the world. There are good reasons for believing that he
extended his Apostolical labors even to the remote island of
Britain. We find him described by two names, _Saul_ and _Paul_, the
first being Hebrew, relating to his Jewish origin and the other
Latin, assumed by him, as some think, at his conversion, as an act
of humility, styling himself less than the least of all saints. St.
Paul suffered martyrdom, having been beheaded, in the sixty-eig