Mothering Sunday

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories

Bedtime Bible Story Book: 365 Read-aloud Stories from the Bible Catholic Bible Stories for Children

Recipes for Mothering Sunday

Simnel Cake

Mothering Sunday is not, as is commonly believed, a celebration of mothers (although many countries fix their Mother's Day celebration on the same date), but a synonym for Laetare Sunday (from the Latin laetare, to rejoice. In the 16th Century it was common practice for people to return to their "mother church" (where they had been baptised) on the fourth Sunday in Lent, which was called going "a-mothering".

Simnel Cakes were often baked and distributed to family members, as Lent fasting was relaxed on this day, giving rise to the names Simnel Sunday and Refreshment Sunday, now rarely used. Another alternative name, Rose Sunday, stems from the colour of the robes worn in some churches instead of the usual purple robes of Lent.

In some churches within the Church of England Mothering Sunday was the only day when marriages could be celebrated. In the US, domestic servants were usually given a day off to visit their mother and other family members.