ring
Article
A circular band of metal worn as an ornament; commonly regarded as an emblem of fidelity or eternity. In its liturgical use the nuptial ring blessed was the marriage ceremony, and worn on the fourth finger, is emblematic of the conjugal fidelity. The pontifical ring conferred at the consecraton or the blessing of an abbot, indicates the recipient’s betrothal to the Church. The ring presented to consecrated virgins (nuns at their profession) reminds them of their betrothal to their heavenly spouse. As a sign of reverence the faithful kiss a bishop‘s ring especially before receiving communion from his hand. The Pope‘s signet ring is known as the “Ring of the Fisherman”. The Pope himself confers the ring belonging to the cardinalitial dignity. The wearing of a ring is permitted to prothonotaries, canons, and doctors of theology, but generally not during the celebration of Mass. The blessing of the so-called “ring of Saint Joseph” is reserved to the Carmelite Fathers.
In Christian art a ring or rings is especially associated with
- Saint Agnes of Rome; a dove often brings her the ring in his beak indicating her spiritual marriage to Christ
- Saint Arnulf of Soissons
- Saint Catherine del Ricci
- Saint Catherine of Siena; during a vision the Infant Christ presented her with a ring, indicative of her spiritual marriage
- Blessed Clara Isabella Fornari; during a vision Jesus placed a ring on her finger, and pronounced her his “spouse of sorrow”.
- Saint Edmund Rich; shown placing a ring on the finger of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Saint Edward the Confessor; elderly king offering a ring or coin to Saint John the Apostle who is disguised as a beggar
- Saint Eligius of Noyon; making a ring in capacity as a metal worker; presenting a ring to Saint Godeberta of Noyon
- Saint Felix of Burgundy; depicted as a bishop wearing three rings
- Blessed Gregory Celli of Verucchio; not a ring on the finger but an iron ring or hoop around his whole body
- Saint Jane of Valois; having a ring placed on her finger by the Christ-child
- Saint Kentigern; refers to the finding of a ring in a fish caught by Kentigern, a find that cleared the name of the Queen of Cadzow
- Saint Petronilla
- Saint Valerian of Rome
- Saint Winifred of Wales; not a ring on the finger, but a ring around her neck, indicative of the cut from her beheading and miraculous healing by Saint Beuno
MLA Citation
- “ring“. CatholicSaints.Info. 30 August 2018. Web. 19 January 2019. <>