A British Tradition
Mothering Sunday is a rather muddled tradition in the UK. It’s been celebrated on fourth Sundays of Lent since C16th, when it started as an English celebration but quickly gained popularity across Europe and spread worldwide!
The early 20th century saw the rise of Mothering Sunday thanks to Constance Penswick Smith. In 1913, after reading about Anna Jarvis’s campaign for a holiday celebrating mothers in America and Canada she was inspired enough that yearning led her into action-she created what is now known as “Mother’s Day.”
What is the connection between Laetare Sunday and Mother’s Day?
Laetare Sunday is the day to visit your mother church or cathedral. The day of Mass was a time to pay homage and show respect for God’s house. The children under ten years old left their homes in order become either an apprentice or domestic servant while adults visited the cathedral on Laetare Sunday – this sacrosanct occasion marked out separately from all other days because it symbolised spiritual nourishment during such difficult times when faith seemed nearly lost!
It was considered important by the people that these children be allowed to visit their home and mother church once a year. Accordingly, once in a year, in the middle of the Lent the children were given a leave by their employers to visit their “Mother Church” or Cathedral of their hometown. They would bring gifts, flowers or special cakes for the women who raised them.
Other customs included making a simnel cake and taking it to Mother. The popularity of Mothering Sunday and its traditions spread through such open organisations as the Boy Scouts and Girls Guides.
“I’ll to thee a Simnel bring,
Gainst thou go’st a Mothering,”Robert Herrick, a C17th poet
Anna Jarvis never became a mother herself, neither did Anna Jarvis who regretted the growing commercialisation of the day, even to disapproving of pre-printed Mother’s Day cards. “A printed card means nothing,” she said, “except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world.”
Treat your mother to a private walking tour in London, something that can be enjoyed by whole the family, creating memories worth keeping forever.
The perfect mother’s day present
Buy your mother a gift voucher where she can choose the date and the walk. Prices start from £15. Buy your mother a gift voucher now.
