The SHIP – The ship, wherein the soul may sail over the perils of the sea of life, becomes an early symbol of Christians. The ship of Christianity will guide one to heaven and eternal happiness. Scholars find the symbol of ships in the catacombs – some show the cruciform mast with a monogram of Christ.  Some are adorned with the symbolic dove. The steel ring that the Pope uses when signing official documents bears the imprint of St. Peter as he’s fishing from the ship of the Church.  This indicates the Lord’s promise, “Come follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”