Mothering Sunday, commonly known in England as Mother’s Day, is the fourth Sunday in Lent. On this day, mothers receive flowers and gifts from their children. People who live away from home often visit their mothers on this day.
The present customs of Mothering Sunday go back at least as far as the 1600’s, but the name Mothering Sunday dates from the Middle Ages. In those times, parishioners who lived in outlying hamlets or small village communities made an annual visit to their Mother Church (the chief church of their parish) on Mothering Sunday. At the Mother Church, the parishioners made altar offerings.
Mothering Sunday falls in the middle of Lent, a time of self-denial for Christians (see Lent ). On this day, people were allowed some relaxation from the strict requirements of the Lenten season. For example, many people used to eat simnel cake on Mothering Sunday. The word simnel comes from a Latin word meaning fine flour. During this period, such flour was a luxury reserved for special occasions, such as the break during Lent. Also on Mothering Sunday, domestic servants received special leave from their masters to go home to see their families for the day and take them gifts.
People who live in England now observe Mothering Sunday in much the same way as people in other countries, especially the United States, celebrate Mother’s Day (see Mother’s Day ). Besides giving their mothers flowers or other gifts, children now also send them special Mother’s Day cards. Like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and similar anniversaries throughout the year, Mother’s Day has become commercial.
