Mothering Sunday
mothering sunday day honouring mother church church one baptised becomes child church celebrated since middle age united kingdom ireland commonwealth country fourth sunday lent mothering sunday christian historically visited mother church—the church received sacrament baptism constance adelaide smith revived modern observance beginning honour mother church mother earthly home virgin mary mother jesus mother nature gained popularity response originally american mother day holiday often known mother day united kingdom become secular celebration mother motherhood mothering sunday coincides laetare sunday also called midlent sunday refreshment sunday day respite fasting halfway penitential season lent association mothering originates text read mass middle age appearing lectionary source old murbach lectionary th century include several reference mother metaphor mother introit day isaiah – psalm using imagery new jerusalem rejoice ye jerusalem ye glad ye delight exult sing joy ye sadness mourn ye may suck satisfied breast consolation psalm glad said unto go house lord laetare hierusalem et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam gaudete cum laetitia qui tristitia fuistis ut exsultetis et satiemini ab uberibus consolationis vestrae psalmus laetatus sum quae dictum sunt mihi domum domini ibimus commentator period associate personification church bride christ virgin mary epistle reading day galatian – paul apostle analysis story hagar sarah speaking jerusalem … mother u acknowledging significance motherhood paul understands story allegory advocating understanding motherhood transcends material world fertility quoting isaiah rejoice childless one bear child burst song shout endure birth pang child desolate woman numerous child one married gospel day john – story feeding five thousand prompted association mothering sunday gift mother earth inspired go house lord psalm mediaeval people began make procession local mother church day typically local cathedral could sometimes become unruly recorded robert grosseteste letter every church strictly prohibit one parish fighting another whose banner come first procession time annual visitation veneration mother church … dishonour spiritual mother escape punishment dishonour fleshly mother accordance god law cursed punished death english reformation book common prayer continued assign reading th century christian continued return local mother church service held laetare sunday context one mother church either church one baptised local parish church nearest cathedral latter mother church parish church diocese anyone commonly said gone mothering term recorded every midlent sunday great day worcester child godchild meet head cheife family feast call motheringday later time mothering sunday became day domestic servant given day visit mother church usually mother family member reacting anna jarviss effort establish mother day constance penswick smith created mothering sunday movement smith published play praise mother story mothering sunday well short history mothering sunday went several edition influential booklet revival mothering sunday book series four chapter outlining different aspect motherhood day honour beyond strictly biological one church – mother mother earthly home mother jesus gift mother earth occasion celebrated across united kingdom commonwealth country church england christian denomination invite people mothering sunday visit parish church cathedral received sacrament baptism modern britain mother day become another term mothering sunday commercial context due american influence continues held lent holiday also gained secular observance britain celebration motherhood following american tradition rather original religious meaning reflecting day association story feeding five thousand reprieve fasting various type cake bun long made mothering sunday especially simnel cake gift parent traditional confection associated mothering sunday easter bristol part world mothering bun remain speciality mothering sunday plain yeastleavened bun iced sprinkled hundred thousand eaten breakfast day numerous newspaper across many decade attest child gathering violet present mother day urban setting church supply violet child mothering sunday always fall fourth sunday lent laetare sunday week easter sunday march march march march march march march march march march march march march march march