The modern Mother's Day is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in May or in March/April, as a day to honour mothers and motherhood.
In the UK and Ireland, it follows the old traditions of Mothering Sunday, which fell on the fourth Sunday of Lent, exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday. It is believed to have originated from the 16th century Christian practice of visiting one's mother church annually, which meant that most mothers would be reunited with their children on this day. Most historians believe that young apprentices and young women in servitude were released by their masters that weekend in order to visit their families. As a result of secularisation, it was then principally used to show appreciation to one's mother, although it is still recognised in the historical sense by some churches, with attention paid to Mary the mother of Jesus Christ as well as the traditional concept 'Mother Church'.
By 1935 Mothering Sunday was no longer celebrated in Europe. The idea was revived by the American soldiers who came to fight in World War II, who celebrated Anna Jarvis' Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May. People from Ireland and UK started celebrating Mother's Day on the fourth Sunday of Lent, the same day on which Mothering Sunday had been celebrated before it disappeared. Some traditions were revived, such as the tradition of eating cake on that day. Nowadays, Simnel cake is strongly associated with Mothering Sunday as well as the giving of flowers, pampering gifts (like spa treatments) and, of course, greeting cards.
Article dated 28th July 2010
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