SYMBOLIC SATURDAY - DOES THE RINGING IN MY EARS BOTHER YOU?

Rings (and lack of rings) play a significant role in the symbolic life of the Church. In fact, there is so much to consider that we will only just touch on it.

A ring may have different meanings. The most common meaning, because it is a closed circle, is continuity and wholeness. That is one reason why you see it on the finger of a married person. It represents vows of those qualities that the particular person made to one other essentially meaning that they are not available to make the same vows with you. (Hence the checking of the ring finger at cocktail parties before striking up certain conversations between civilized people of the opposite sex.)

The ring worn by clergy and religious may have similar meaning. They are in essence spiritually married to the Church. But the ring can also take on juridical significance.

In former times priest were forbidden to wear rings (or jewelry for that matter.) But now they often do, as do some religious simply to show that they are “accounted for.” This may be particularly important in an age when such people often do not wear any identifiable garb. But the ring does not have any juridical significance.

Not so the case with bishops and cardinals. These rings not only symbolize spiritual marriage with the Church, but also the ecclesiastical office. He may not wear the ring until it has been bestowed upon him by competent authority signifying that he too now shares in that dignity.

But the most interesting ring belongs to the pope. (Actually there may be as many as three rings used at different times.) One is called the Fisherman’s Ring and is the ring that is given to him at the time of his election. It has a picture of Saint Peter casting a net with the name taken by the pope inscribed over. It is of simple gold and is the ring that is used to seal certain documents. Because of this it is destroyed in the presence of witnesses at the time of his death. A simplified ring, worn on the fourth finger of the right hand, is used for daily wear.

It seems to have fallen out of favor to reverence the ring. Especially in Westernized countries we are very uncomfortable with it. This is understandable. But when done, it would be a mistake both for the person whose finger the ring is on and for the person reverencing the ring to think that doing so has anything to with the person who wears the ring. The act of reverence is a symbolic act toward the apostles and the office of bishop rather than the particular man who holds it.