History of Mothering Sunday

Mothering Sunday was originally established during the sixteenth century. Unlike the more common Mothers Day, Mothering Sunday has a deeply important religious background and is intended for the bringing of whole families together, not simply a day of devotion for mothers.

Traditionally, women in domestic service were awarded Mothering Sunday as a day off duty to spend with their own families. Mothers Day in America was not established until 1913.

Mothering Sunday is a day to celebrate Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent, as stated in the “Book of Common Prayer”. A predominately Roman Catholic festive day once known as the day of 5 loaves, the celebration of Mothering Sunday is for the miracle of loaves and fish. On Mothering Sunday, families come together in their “mother church” for a service.

Mothering Sunday has also been known as Refreshment Sunday, This term is not often heard today, though. This was due to the fact that on this day during lent many would relax their fasting rules.

Simnel Sunday is more often referred to and reflects the usual tradition of the baking of Simnel cakes on this day. Simnel cakes were baked in celebration of the family gathering.
Simnel cake is a fruit cake decorated with marzipan placed over the top in a thin layer and a further 11 marzipan balls to represent eleven of the twelve apostles. Judas is not represented on a simnel cake.

Mothering Sunday may even be known to some as Rose Sunday. There may be two reasons Mothering Sunday is known as Rose Sunday to some, one being the usual practice in most churches of replacing the traditional purple robes with rose colored robes for this occasion. Another interesting reason for the “Rose Sunday” label may be for the lovely gesture of offering posies of flowers to mothers attending the Mothering Sunday services.

The giving of roses during Mothering Sunday services may be in remembrance of years past when children were accepted into domestic service from as young as ten years old. On Mothering Sunday as they were awarded with the day off to visit with families for this church service they would pick flowers along the way, and as children often do, give these flowers to their mothers.

As time has progressed Mothering Sunday has become less religiously significant to many and has taken the path in celebrations closer related to Americas Mothers Day. Today it is common for children to present their mothers with handmade cards, presents and flowers on Mothering Sunday.