Mothering Sunday in the UK is the equivalent of Mothers’ Day in other countries. It has been celebrated since at least the 16th century. For a long time, it has been a day for giving thanks for all the things our mothers do for us.
Mothering Sunday in the UK is on the fourth Sunday in Lent, most other countries use the US date of the second Sunday in May while others choose 8 March which is International Women’s Day.
In the 17th Century in England a clerical decree was made that broadened the celebration of Lenten Sunday to include real mothers. This was officially titled Mothering Day and became over time an especially compassionate holiday toward the working classes. This is because during Lenten Sunday, servants and trade workers were given permission to travel back to their home towns to visit their families.
Mothering Day was also welcome because it meant a one-day break from the fasting and penance of Lent. As a result families across this country enjoyed a massive feast on a par with Christmas dinner, only in this instance mother was the guest of honour and presented Mothers with cakes and flowers.
Traditionally Simnel cakes were baked, giving Mothering Day its other popular name Simnel Sunday. Traditionally, it was a day when children, mainly daughters, who had gone to work as domestic servants were given a day off to visit their mother and family.
Today it is a day when children give presents, flowers, and home-made cards to their mothers. 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, be
Today Mother’s Day is celebrated the world over, regardless of religion and culture. After all, the Mother represents the nurturing, protecting and guiding force to us all and who wouldn’t want to rejoice in that?
Have a great day
COH 
COH 
