Mothering Sunday is celebrated on the 4th Sunday of Lent and is traditionally the day when children, mainly daughters, who had gone to work as domestic servants were given a day off to visit their mother and family.
Centuries ago it was considered important for people to return to their home or ‘mother’ church once a year. So each year in the middle of Lent, everyone would visit their ‘mother’ church – the main church or cathedral of the area. Inevitably this return became an occasion for family reunions when children who were working away returned home and most historians think that this led to the tradition of children being given the day off to visit their mother and family. As they walked along the country lanes, children would pick wild flowers or violets to take to church or give to their mother as a small gift.
Mothering Sunday was also known as Refreshment Sunday because the fasting rules for Lent were relaxed that day. Simnel cakes have particularly been associated with the day. A Simnel cake is a fruit cake with two layers of almond paste, one on top and one in the middle. The cake is made with 11 balls of marzipan icing on top representing the 11 disciples (Judas is not included).
Pray today for all mothers across the diocese. And also for all those who will fnd this day diffcult.Kingswinford Deanery – Rural Dean: David Hoskin; Lay Chair: Anthony Lovesey
Diocese of Chelmsford: Bishop Stephen Cottrell with Bishops Roger Morris (Colchester) and Peter Hill (Barking)
Diocese of Karlstad (Sweden): Bishop Sören DaleviThe Church of England: Archbishop Justin Welby