Mothering Sunday or Mother’s Day which falls on Sunday, March 10 in 2024 is celebrated across England (U.K.) dedicated to honor and thanks our lovely mothers.
Mothering Sunday - A mother and child's bond is considered superior to all other human relations. A mother’s love is unlike anything in the world. All emotions eventually succumb to the tests of time but not a mother’s unconditional love. As the occasion calls for it, there is a holiday dedicated to honoring and giving back a portion of this love to all the amazing mothers out there. However, the English do it differently, for Mother’s Day celebrated in the United Kingdom is not the same as it is in the rest of the world. Let’s learn more.
The history of Mother’s Day in England dates further back than the popular mother’s Day celebrated in the US and other countries. Not only does the United Kingdom celebration of this day fall on a different date, but it also holds a different significance than what the holiday’s name implies. Mother’s Day began in the US in 1907 as a day dedicated to honoring all the loving mothers in our lives. However, this festival has a deep-rooted history for the British since the 16th century.
In the United Kingdom, Mother’s Day was initially known and celebrated as Mothering Sunday, on the fourth Sunday in Lent, precisely 3 weeks ahead of Easter. Mothering Sunday, or Mother’s Day is cherished as a day marked for families reuniting. When children working away from their homes return to get together with their families at the ‘mother’ church of the area, the tradition eventually came to them bringing flowers or baked pie for their mothers.
Mother’s Day in England is quite different from the yearly celebration that ensues around the world. In the aaa, it is more famous by the name of Mothering Sunday than the modern-day name that has been adopted. Interestingly, this festival had little to do with Mothers and was more so connected to the church.
The origin of Mothering Sunday, or Mother’s Day dates back to the 16th Century. It began as a festival with a religious purpose and traditions of its own. Celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent, Mothering Sunday is a day dedicated to honouring Virgin Mary, also called Mother Mary. Mothering Sunday falls exactly three weeks ahead of Easter and holds a special place in England’s traditional calendar. People would typically visit their ‘mother’ church, which would be the central cathedral in a family’s area to pay their respects through Sunday prayers.
During the spread of Christianity throughout Europe in the 16th Century, Mothering Sunday celebrations became synonymous with families returning to their homes, i.e., the mother churches in England and Ireland. All young children and adolescents who had left their homes to work as apprentices or domestic servants would get a chance to reunite with their families through this holiday.
With the passage of time, especially during WWII, Mothering Sunday evolved into a ubiquitous festival of Mother’s Day as Americans started celebrating this day to honor and give thanks to their mother whilst away at war. Whenever may the day be celebrated, the traditions of bringing cakes, and pies, to show love for mothers through acts of kindness have remained the same.
Mothering Sunday in 2024 falls on the Sunday, 10th of March.
Mother’s Day is a special day to celebrate and appreciate all the mothers in our lives. There are many ways to celebrate Mother’s Day, including by doing something special for your mother, going out with your mother, or spending time with your mother on an individual level. Here are some ideas for Mother’s Day celebrations in the United Kingdom:
Mothering Sunday in the United Kingdom is a day that is celebrated differently in each corner of the country. There are plenty of activities and occasions that can be enjoyed by all mothers with their children on this special day. Whatever you do, make sure to spend Mother’s Day with your mum!