Mothering Sunday – A History. by Not a Supermum

As a mother, of course I have an invested interest in Mothers Day.  The one day a year I am guaranteed a lie in and treats from the men in my life as it is always on a weekend, unlike my birthday.

This year I decided that I would look into the origins of Mothering Sunday as I thought it would be interesting to find out how the one day of glorification of the person that not only creates life, but tries so hard to keep it all together came about. 

Mothering Sunday originally wasn't about mothers at all. 

It was about coming back to your "mother church" for a special service during the forth week of Lent back in the 16th century.  People would all gather at one of the larger local churches or cathedrals for this service. Often this day was the only time in the year a working class family would all be able to gather and spend time together.  In later times this day was the only day of the year, young people in Service were given off to visit their families.

Mothering Sunday has been referred to by a few different names.

In some areas that day was called Simnel Sunday or Refreshment Sunday.  This was due to the fact that one this day the strict regime of Lent was relaxed and people could eat things not usually allowed during the run up to Easter.  This day became a celebration of family and church and usually a big feast was eaten.  Often families would bake a Simnel Cake to celebrate the reuniting of the family.

Also this day is sometimes known as Rose Sunday in reference to the robes of clergymen being changed from the usually purple ones used during Lent to ones that were rose  coloured.  This title also refers to the tradition of posies of flowers being collected and distributed at the service mothers.  I have also found out that the pope used to bless the Golden Roses that he would give to Catholic kings and queens on this day.

Though this day had religious beginnings, Mothering Sunday is now more like the American Mothers Day, which is celebrated in May. 

To all you mums out there I would like to say well done on another year of doing the hardest job in the world, by just being you!