Mothering Sunday increasingly being called Mothers' Day, although that holiday has other origins.
During the sixteenth century, people returned to their mother church, the main church or cathedral of the area, for a service to be held on Laetare Sunday. This was either a large local church, or more often the nearest Cathedral. Anyone who did this was commonly said to have gone "a-mothering", although whether this preceded the term Mothering Sunday is unclear. In later times, Mothering Sunday became a day when domestic servants were given a day off to visit their mother church, usually with their own mothers and other family members.
Children and young people who were "in service" (as household servants) were given a day off on that date so they could visit their families (or, originally, return to their "mother" church). The children would pick wild flowers along the way to place in the church or give to their mothers.
Eventually, the religious tradition evolved into the Mothering Sunday secular tradition of giving gifts to mothers. The other names attributed to this festival include Refreshment Sunday (relating to breast feeding) and Pudding Pie Sunday (relating to pies).
In this shot, I hoped to capture the true meaning of Mothering Sunday, along with the flowers that the children picked for their mothers.
A lovely photo, definitely A* and it's good to see the true meaning of Mothering Sunday being brought out. I'm glad the children didn't pick all the flowers! Next Sunday you will have to explain Care-away.
Crawling about the churchyard on your tummy today then? A frog again or badger? You are very flexible. Joking aside you have enlightened me and I have learnt something new today. Your shot is very nice.
I love the perspective of this...and I was wondering about your "Mother's Day" being now and not being taken over by the North American Hallmark Card traditional day in May!
This one is my favourite as I get a better view of the church. Thankyou so much for including the history behind mothering sunday as I was unaware of the religious links.
Great info here Mr B & a great capture of that wonderful church & those lovely daff's! (why do i always scan your shots for hidden little people though!) ; D
Thank you all for your kind comments and feedback - I like the fact that Mothering Sunday has a true meaning and is not just another day created by the card manufacturers.
By the looks of it, this is the preferred shot of the two - Thank you all.
@chepstowgirl @quietpurplehaze @tishpics
By the looks of it, this is the preferred shot of the two - Thank you all.
@chepstowgirl @quietpurplehaze @tishpics @khirsch @gerry @carolb @janturnbull @ruthmouch @alisonp @amandal @alisonp @sueh @aurorajane @fannyb @humphreyhippo @dulciknit @lucypics @cazann @purplehaze12 @henrir @danette @virginiasmind @lynnb @3rdxoff @joluise @kwiksilver @kjarn @kjarn @agentzuckerguss @annbo @cally @chris17 @helixconcepts @michelle58
beautiful daffodils.