Since it was believed that the Mother
Church was spiritual power that gave life and protected from harm it
was customary for people to bring gifts to the church. In Europe during
the middle Ages, the fourth Sunday in lent became known as mothering
Sunday. Most poor folk were employed as servants of wealthy landowners,
and therefore forced to live in the home of their employer. They were
allowed to return home on the fourth Sunday in Lent, and often brought
small gifts or a "mothering cake" also known as Simnel Cake.
The cakes, prepared ahead used dried fruit, as these would keep and
travel well during the journey home, which would have been made on foot,
or if one was fortunate, by horse and cart.
"I
think it must somewhere be written that the virtues of mothers shall
be visited on their children, as well as the sins of their fathers."
Charles Dickens Modern tradition of Mother's Day
Julia Ward Howe, author of the words
of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, was the first person to suggest
that America adopt a day when all mothers should be honoured. She saw
Mother's Day as a day dedicated to peace. The suggestion was not taken
seriously however, although she held Mother's Day meetings in Boston,
Massachusetts every year.
The celebration of Mother's Day
as a holiday in the United States is attributed to Mrs. Anna Jarvis,
who dedicated her life to promoting the holiday. She was inspired by
her own mother's devotion to the raising of a family of eleven children.
On the second anniversary of her mother's death, the second Sunday in
May, Anna Jarvis convinced her mother's parish in West Virginia to hold
a celebration of Mother's Day. The church was decorated with her mother's
favourite flower, the white carnation, a symbol of sweetness, purity
and endurance. Mother's Day - the day of flowers The white carnation
was originally worn to symbolize a mother who has passed away and a
red carnation for one who is living. However, many other flowers are
now accepted as being significant on Mother's Day. In 1910, West Virginia
officially recognized Mother's Day, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson
proclaimed it a national holiday.
Mother's Day
traditions around the world
In the United States, it is tradtional
to bring flowers and take you mohter to lunch or brunch. As in other
countries, if a family is not able to be with their mother on this special
day, they will often send cards, flowers or gifts to mark the occasion.
Others will simply give the gift of their time, spending time with their
mother, having a special meal or taking Mother for an enjoyable outing.
"God could
not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers." Jewish
proverb
In Australia the white chrysanthemum has taken the place of the carnation,
being the most prolific flower in season in May. All along our roadways
you will see people with buckets containing bunches of colourful chrysanthemums,
for sale on Mother's Day. Many people stop on route to their visit their
own mothers, and in remembrance of their care and love, purchase these
colourful gifts. Church services make special mention of the devotion
of mothers to the task of caring for and raising their children, reminding
families to take special care of their mothers.
"A mother
is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people,
promptly announces she never did care for pie." --
Tenneva Jordan
Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey,
Japan, Australia and Belgium celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday
in May, however some countries observe it on a different day. Sweden
and France chose to celebrate this occasion on the last Sunday in May,
and the French often treat this occasion similarly to a family birthday,
when the family gathers together for a celebration meal culminating
in the enjoyment of a special Mother's Day cake. We see once again the
connection between Mother's Day and Spring festivals, as in Lebanon
it is held on the first day of spring, South Africa holds its celebration
on the first Sunday in May. Argentina and India observe Mother's Day
in October. The festival Durga Puja in honour of Durga, the Divine Mother
and most important Hindu goddess in India is celebrated with a 10 day
festival in early October. Spain and Portugal celebrate Mother's Day
on December 8th, when they not only honour mothers but attend religious
services to honour the Virgin Mary.
"The mother's
heart is the child's schoolroom." Henry
Ward Beecher
Anna Jarvis' aim had been for this
Day to increase respect for parents and strengthen family bonds. She
believed that the gift of time and the giving of ourselves were the
important aspects of setting aside a day. No matter from which country
we originate, or what time of the year we celebrate, the central theme
honouring one's mother is uniform the world over.
"An
ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest."
--Spanish Proverb
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