Happy Mothering Sunday!

Happy 'Mothers Day!' For those of you who are not ‘POMMEYS’ (Prisoners of Mother England), this Sunday is ‘Mothers Day’ across the British Empire (as well as most other Christian communities). It’s actually known as Mothering Sunday, and is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent. However, it has no association with the American holiday in May known as Mother’s Day, or as some cynics call it, ‘Hallmark Day.’

The original translation from Latin is a derivative of ‘Refreshment’ or ‘Laetare Sunday,’ during Lent: the first words of the opening prayer of the mass are Laetare Jerusalem (Rejoice Jerusalem), and honour is given to Mother Church. The extension to actual mothers was gradual, and became a time when children, mainly daughters, who had gone to work as domestic servants, were given a day off to visit their family.

Now, it is a day when children give presents, flowers, and cards to their mothers. But it can also be recognised, in its truest form, as a time to recognise those who are in the act of mothering. The dictionary defines ‘mothering’ as ‘to care for or protect.’ It is not gender specific. Unfortunately, as the distance between continents become shorter, the commercial aspects of this date overpower its broader and possibly purer origins.

‘Mothering’ comes from carers, nurses, male parents-people who serve others, those who provide loving, nurturing care as if they were the mother to the individual. These people are so often forgotten or ignored and it is sad that due recognition is often not given. The individual who has cared for an invalid or elderly person, who needed mothering in its truest sense, may be forgotten today and at all other times.

Most Sundays in the year churchgoers in England worship at their nearest parish or ‘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 the main church or Cathedral of the area.

Over time the return to the ‘mother’ church became an occasion for family reunions when children who were working away returned home. (It’s difficult to believe that less than a hundred years ago children who were as young as nine or ten would leave home to work in cities.)

And most historians believe 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 families. As they travelled along country lanes, children would collect wild flowers or violets to take to church or give to their mother as a small gift.

The American holiday, which has sadly become so commercialised, began in 1912 when an International Mother’s Day association was formed, as a result of the efforts of a Methodist spinster, who recognised the importance of strengthening family ties. The United States Congress passed a joint resolution marking the second Sunday in May as the official ‘Mother’s Day.’ It was then proclaimed as a national holiday.

The American date never caught on in countries where the US didn’t have strong influence or control, because within the resolution was the mandate that the American flag be displayed on all homes and government buildings in reverence to the mothers of America. It just smelled a bit too nationalist for other countries.

No matter who it is that nurtures, cares for, supports, defends, helps and loves, they certainly deserve accolades of gratitude, praise and love. Today, above all, please don’t forget to recognise them, no matter where in the world you may be! 

Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with those who care for others. Give them calm strength and patient wisdom. Let the love they show for others be always a guide for us. Bless the mothers who bear Your children and guide their lives. We are all Your children. Amen



But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. Galatians 4:26

Posted for Fr Bill+