The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds Christians that they are surrounded by a great “cloud of witnesses.” (NRSVA) That “cloud” has continued to grow in size since then. In this monthly column we will be thinking about some of the people and events, over the past 2000 years, that have helped make up this “cloud.” People and events that have helped build the community of the Christian church as it exists today.
Mothering Sunday in the UK, celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, is a day steeped in history and tradition, unlike its American counterpart, Mother’s Day, which is held on the second Sunday of May. This celebration is not fixed to a specific date, much like Easter, and often falls in March. While the British occasion is deeply rooted in Christian history, the American version, originating in the early 20th century, has evolved into a widely commercial event.
Globally, many countries celebrate motherhood with similar observances, though the dates and traditions vary widely. While often secular today, many of these celebrations are rooted in Christian traditions, honoring ‘Mother Church,’ the ‘Virgin Mary,’ or motherhood as a divine gift. Ancient cultures, including Greek and Roman societies, also held ceremonies focusing on the significance of motherhood, reflecting its universal importance across various faiths and eras.
The medieval roots of ‘Mothering Sunday’
The origins of Mothering Sunday are somewhat unclear, though it is believed to have been a day when Christians would return to their ‘Mother Church’—the church where they were baptized. This tradition might also have been linked to the historical practice of visiting the main church in an area, often the cathedral, which was seen as the ‘Mother Church’ of the diocese.
These practices were possibly tied to the scripture passage from Galatians 4:25–26, which refers to Jerusalem as “our mother,” symbolizing the universal church community. The day was marked by processions to cathedrals, notably in places like Lichfield, where such events continued until the Reformation. These gatherings sometimes became competitive, as documented by Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln, who noted disputes over precedence in church processions.
Despite the Lenten season of fasting, Mothering Sunday was associated with festivity, marked by the consumption of Simnel cake. This tradition highlights the day as a break in the Lenten fast, known as Laetare Sunday or ‘Refreshment Sunday,’ a mid-Lent celebration that allowed for indulgence.
The Early-Modern appearance of a family-focused Mothering Sunday
The seventeenth century saw the emergence of Mothering Sunday as a family-centric day, particularly in the Severn Valley. This shift from a focus on ‘Mother Church’ to celebrating mothers and family was documented by Richard Symonds during the British Civil Wars. He noted an annual gathering on ‘Mid-Lent Sunday’ in Worcester, where families reunited for feasting, a tradition also reflected in Robert Herrick’s poem referencing ‘the Mothering-day.’
By the nineteenth century, this family-focused tradition spread across the West Midlands and beyond, with customs like giving servants the day off to visit their families. Simnel cake remained a popular treat, with regional variations in celebratory foods.
The re-invention of Mothering Sunday
Mothering Sunday began to fade in popularity by the 1930s, due in part to the decline in live-in servants post-World War I. However, the presence of American soldiers during World War II rekindled interest in the tradition, influenced by the American Mother’s Day. This revival was supported by commercial interests such as card and flower companies, yet Mothering Sunday retained its place in the liturgical calendar, distinct from the American observance.
Today, Mothering Sunday is a well-established occasion for families to honor mothers, often marked by church services and the giving of flowers, such as daffodils. Churches may use the day to celebrate all women, acknowledging the complexities and varied experiences of motherhood. This celebration aligns with the historical roots of honoring ‘Mother Church’ and the nurturing, communal spirit it embodies.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
