What is the origin of Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day or Mothering Sunday? Do you know the origin of Mother’s Day and why we celebrate it every year? You might be surprised to find how much it has changed and evolved over the years!
In 2025 it falls on 30th March. Whatever you call it in your family, the day has become a regular part of our yearly calendar of celebrations but do you know how this special day and its traditions came about?
DID YOU KNOW THESE FACTS ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF MOTHER’S DAY?
- Mothering Sunday always falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent.
- Despite the name, the UK celebration has no connection to the American festival of Mother’s Day.
- 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. This became an occasion for family reunions.
- Traditionally, it was a day when children who had gone to work as domestic servants or apprentices were given a day off to visit their mother and family. It was quite common for children to leave home for work once they were 10 years old.
- As they walked along the country lanes on their way home, children would pick wild flowers or violets to take to church or give to their mother as a small gift.
