THE ORIGINS OF MOTHERING SUNDAY
O
ur mothers are very special to us all. They’re wise and caring and it’s only fitting that there is a day dedicated to them. Although most people refer to Mothering Sunday as ‘Mother’s Day’ the latter is actually an American holiday, but what many people won’t know is that Mothering
Sunday originally had very little to do with mothers. Traditionally on the mid-Sunday in Lent Mothering Sunday is celebrated.
We buy our mothers gifts or flowers, and young children give homemade cards and make breakfast in bed for their much loved mums. Throughout English history however each Sunday the entire family would go to their nearest church, thought of by many as the ‘daughter church’.
Centuries ago it was considered important for people to return to their home
or ‘mother’ church once a year. So each year in the middle of Lent, everyone would visit their ‘mother’ church - the main church or cathedral of the area.
Inevitably the return to the ‘mother’ church became an occasion for family reunions when children who were working away returned home as it was quite common in those days for children to leave home for work once they were ten years old. As they walked along the country lanes, children would pick wild flowers or violets to take to church or give to their mother as a small gift.
Most historians think that it was the return to the ‘Mother’ church which led to the tradition of children, particularly those working as domestic servants or as apprentices, being given the day off to visit their mother and family.
This is where the English tradition of Mothering Sunday originated, which later merged with the American holiday of ‘Mother’s Day’ resulting in the gift giving and day of praise for mothers that we celebrate today.
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