One special ring belongs to the Holy Father

By Patricia Kasten
Compass Associate Editor

"With this ring, I thee catch."

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We most often think of rings in terms of engagement and marriage, or as a sign of special achievement - like a class or professional ring. Throughout history, rings have also been a symbol of rank or authority.

All these elements play into the most famous ring in the church: the Fisherman's Ring, worn by the pope.

As of press time [for the print edition] (April 19), we did not have a new pope. And, therefore, we did not have a Fisherman's Ring.

According to tradition, after his death, the Ring of the Fisherman used by Pope John Paul II was destroyed, along with his papal seal. This destruction was carried out by the cardinal chamberlain (Card. Eduardo Martinez Somalo) in the presence of members of the College of Cardinals. A new seal and a new ring will be made once a new pope is elected.

What is the Fisherman's Ring? Many might think it was the ring we often saw on John Paul II's right hand - a gold band in the shape of a cross. However, that was his simple ring, not the pontifical ring. The simple ring is for everyday use by the Bishop of Rome. Generally, this ring is inexpensive and has often been a cameo, about an inch in length. This was the case with Pope John XXIII. However, some simple rings can be very ornate. For example, The Church Visible, an account of church protocol, notes that the ring commonly worn by Pius IX contained more than 100 diamonds, arranged to form the pope's face in profile.

The Fisherman's Ring is made of gold and depicts St. Peter in a fishing boat, casting his net into the sea. Near Peter, or around him, are engraved the current pontifical name, the name chosen by the new pope when he is elected. It is a large, heavy ring, used to seal documents.

Of course, this ring did not originate with Peter. (Yet, since we know Peter was married, he may have had a ring. Nuptial rings were exchanged by couples at their betrothals at the time of Christ.)

The first mention of a "Fisherman's Ring" in church records came in 1265, when Pope Clement IV wrote in a letter to his nephew, Peter Grossi, that his official letters were sealed with that ring.

Despite this somewhat late reference, bishops' rings date much farther back in the church. St. Isidore of Seville (in 637) mentioned episcopal rings used "as a seal for secrets." Likewise, kings and magistrates throughout history have used signet rings to mark their personal documents and authenticate rulings.

But what does the Fisherman's Ring mean today? We can look to Pope John Paul II - and St. Peter - for an answer.

One of the great images after the death and funeral of John Paul is the great crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square. The aerial shots showed throngs embraced in the curving arms of Bernini's elliptical square. All those people - thousands of every age, race, faith and background - stood encircled by the same stone pillars that encircled the Holy Father and the cardinals at the Mass of Resurrection. All those people drawn in, as if by an invisible net - like the net on the Fisherman's Ring.

Many images could depict St. Peter on the papal ring: the shepherd, since Peter was charged to "feed my sheep" (Jn 21:17); or a rock upon which the church was built; or the keys of the kingdom, as on the papal crest.

Yet it is the boat and the net image that the pope wears. The boat where Peter and Jesus first met - as Jesus taught the crowds (Lk 5:1-10)). The boat from which Peter recognized the risen Lord, after hauling in 153 fish with his nets (Jn 21:11). (Many biblical scholars believe, as the New American Bible notes, that the 153 fish symbolically refer "to the apostles' universal mission.")

"He went to the world and the world came to him" was a phrase often used during the days of papal mourning. During his years as pope, John Paul went out to the world. Like his predecessor, he was "a fisher of men." When he could no longer go out, the net he had cast for 26 years drew millions back to him within the encircling square of St. Peter.

A similar casting wide of the net happened to Peter when he was asked to baptize the gentile Cornelius and his household (Acts, chaps. 10-11). While pondering the request, Peter had a vision of a sheet dropping from heaven - similar to a net, since all manner of animals were caught in its folds. At the promptings of the Spirit, Peter realized that this sheet meant that the Lord's baptism was offered to all.

When his fellow apostles demanded to know why he had extended the gift of the Spirit to "outsiders," Peter replied, "If ... God gave them the same gift he gave to us when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God?" (Acts 11:17).

God's net is cast far and wide. The pope, as the successor of Peter, casts that net over the world with the hands that sometimes wear the Fisherman's Ring.

That Fisherman's Ring is a seal, one that marks faith in Christ and his universal message.

That Fisherman's Ring is a sign of an authority which casts the net wide and draws in all whom the Spirit touches.

That Fisherman's Ring is an encircling, eternal promise that Christ is with his church and with the successor of the one who said, "Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you" (Jn 21:17).

Love can be symbolized by embracing arms and an encircling ring - and love's catch is drawn up by the fisherman into whose hands the Lord has placed the universal net.