Just as the Ark, that contained the Law written by the very Finger of God and then given to Moses, has been lost to antiquity, so too, the Ring. The little known story of the Ring has scant details. It comes to us in the work of the Ancient Christian writer, Tertullian. Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus lived about 155-220 AD. A convert to Christianity, he is known as “the Father of Western Theology” because he is the first theologian to write in Latin. Among his writings is The Passion of the Holy Martyrs, Perpetua and Felicitas. These early martyrs died in the Roman amphitheatre in Carthage ravaged by wild beasts in front of a frenzied crowd inebriated by blood and violence. Among the other Christians martyred that day, was Saturus. He had already been twice thrown to the wild beasts, but suffered no harm and was withdrawn. It was the third time before a leopard that would see him “saved and washed” in his own blood. Following the fatal wound, Saturus was yet able to briefly converse with the attending guard. Pudens was a soldier and overseer who had begun to recognize a greater power at work in his prisoners. In his last moments, Saturus encouraged Pudens. “Farewell, and be mindful of my faith; and let not these things disturb, but confirm you.” At the same time he asked for a little ring from his finger, and returned it to him bathed in the blood of his wound. That ring, now known as Pudens’ Ring was a token of affection, encouragement, and hope. Could one not say that perhaps it was the first known relic of a saint? Pudens, like his Ring subsequently vanishes from our history, but I suspect that this soldier loyal to Rome, assumed new loyalties. I suspect that he went on to become a Soldier for Christ, inspired by the Martyrs that he oversaw. The Ring, itself, has gone the way of the Ark. The Ark, though lost, very much remains with a Law now not written upon mere stone tablets, but inscribed upon a Sacred Heart of Love. Pudens’ Ring is a token that each one of us can find and place on his finger. It isn’t a mere ring of silver or gold, but one of much greater value. Pudens’ Ring is one of Hope and Fortitude, that same Hope and Fortitude that enabled martyrs throughout salvation history to endure in order to be “saved and washed” – the same Hope and Fortitude that has its origin in the Cross of Calvary and the One Who died upon It. It is this that should inspire each of us to boldly continue our Lenten Journey as we look beyond the Cross to the New Life of Resurrection professing our loyalties anew and placing upon our finger, Pudens’ Ring!
Peace!
Fr. Wilson