By Lacey Johnson

Mother’s Day in England is celebrated on the fourth Sunday during Lent. This day was chosen in order to offer a day long break from the fasting and penance of Lent. England is the first modern country to honor mothers and began officially honoring them in the 1600’s. This day of honoring mothers became known as “Mothering Sunday.”

The first Mother’s Day celebration occurred in the Ancient Greek Empire. It was held to honor Rhea. In Rome, Cybele was honored by a three day celebration known as Hilaria.

“Mothering Sunday” was started at a time when the majority of people worked as servants in far away cities. They were encouraged to take this day off and make the journey to visit with their mothers. The initial concept of Mother’s Day became more religious in nature and changed to honor “the mother church.” “The mother church is believed to be the spiritual power that gave them life and protected them from harm.”

Current Mother’s Day traditions do not vary much from their “Mothering Sunday’s” inception. It is traditional to give one’s mother a “mothering cake,” of which there are several different versions. A “frumently” mothering cake consists of wheat grains that are spiced and sugared after being boiled in milk. Another popular mothering cake is known as a “Simnel cake.” A Simnel cake is a very rich fruit cake with an almond icing. It was inspired by a folktale of a married couple named Simon and Nell.

In Northern England, “Mothering Sunday” is celebrated with ”Carlings.” Carlings are pancakes made of steeped pease, fried in butter and seasoned with salt and pepper. Sometimes this holiday is referred to as “Carling Sunday.”

Unlike the giving of elaborate flower bouquets in the United States, children in England give their mothers hand picked wildflowers. Violets are the flower of choice.

“Happy Mothering Sunday!”