RING. — It cannot be determined with certainty when the ring acquired in the Church the meaning of authority, dignity, and pre-eminence that led to its being reserved exclusively to prelates and forbidden to the simple clergy: all the more so since, from the documents available to us, it is not always easy to distinguish the seal ring from the ring of dignity. It is certain that, by the end of the sixth century, the formula for the blessing and presentation of the episcopal ring was already included in the ceremony for the consecration of bishops, as we read in the Salzburg Pontifical, dating from about the year 600. Canon 28 of the Fourth Council of Toledo (633) lists the ring among the insignia of the bishop; and the pontificals of the following centuries establish that the ring is to be worn on the ring finger of the right hand, and that it is to be given at the consecration before the pastoral staff. Thus the ring being reserved exclusively to prelates, according to their various dignities, various kinds of rings came into use, of which a brief enumeration follows.
1. THE RINGS OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF
The Pope has three distinct rings: the ring (v. below) of the Fisherman (piscatory ring), the pontifical ring, and the ordinary ring.A. Pontifical ring. — It is similar to the ring worn by bishops when pontificating, but much richer. The Pontiff receives it from the assisting cardinal-bishop according to the ceremonies proper to the papal Mass.
A. Ordinary ring. — Like bishops, the Pope habitually wears the ring on his right hand. On Good Friday, for the Mass of the Presanctified, the Pope goes to the chapel without a ring on his finger and without giving the blessing: the same is to be observed by all those who have the use of the ring, as a sign of mourning for the death of the Lord.
2. CARDINAL’S RING
This is the ring that cardinals receive in the secret consistory, as a distinguishing mark of their dignity, when the Pope assigns them the titles of the churches. It consists of a gold band with a sapphire, beneath whose setting there is, in enamel, the coat of arms of the Pontiff. Its origin is unknown, but it is already mentioned in the twelfth century.3. EPISCOPAL RING
Bishops have two rings: the pontifical ring, for solemn functions; and the ordinary ring, which consists of a gold band with a stone surrounded by diamonds.Fifty days’ indulgence are granted (S. Off., 18 April 1909) to anyone who kisses the ring of a cardinal or a bishop.
4. RINGS OF ABBOTS AND PRELATES «NULLIUS»
Canon 325 of the CIC grants nullius abbots the privilege of wearing everywhere a ring with a single gem, which is given to them, as also to other regular abbots, at the solemn blessing they receive. It is believed that the first grant dates back to the end of the tenth century.5. RINGS OF LOWER PRELATES
Pius X’s motu proprio Inter multiplices (21 February 1905) definitively regulates the use of the ring by apostolic protonotaries. Only participating protonotaries may wear the ring with a single gem everywhere and at all times: supernumerary protonotaries and those ad instar participantium may use the ring only in pontifical functions. Honorary protonotaries do not have the use of the ring.The CIC (can. 136, § 2) forbids the use of the ring to all clerics who do not possess the privilege by law or by apostolic indult. An apostolic indult is, in every case, necessary for wearing the ring during the celebration of Mass, unless the person is a cardinal, a bishop, or a blessed abbot (can. 811, § 2).
6. RINGS OF DOCTORS
Eugene III, who instituted academic degrees, granted duly created doctors the use of a ring with a single gem. An analogous provision is found in can. 1378 of the CIC.7. NUPTIAL RING
It is given by the bridegroom to the bride during the celebration of marriage, and is blessed because of the mystical significance it is to possess: