 By Catherine Apitz
Mother's Day magically seemed to originate in the 1800's passed by an Act of Congress during President Abraham Lincoln's term. In truth, Mother's Day became an official holiday while Lincoln was still alive. Yet, it's roots stretch back centuries to Roman civilization, particularly to citizens in the British Isles. By the 16th century, the British were officially celebrating "Mothering Sunday" on the middle Sunday of Lent, using some of the same festive concepts found in Roman and early Christian times.
In early May, Romans celebrated spring with the favorable blessings of their Mother Goddess, Cybele. It is with Cybele, archeologists theorize the earliest origins of Mother's Day began by honoring a Mother responsible for the creation of the earth and all its inhabitants. During the 16th century, Christianity slipped in and replaced Cybele with the favorable blessings of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus responsible for saving the human race. Following a rubric, (religious instruction) from The Book of Common Prayer, Christians were also instructed to "honor the heavenly Jerusalem, the mother of us all." This was based on a portion of a biblical passage found in Galatians. Where did 16th century Christians find a "heavenly Jerusalem, the mother of us all?" It is certainly a mystery in the 21st century, but the answer lies in Europe's backyard.
A cathedral or the nearest large church where the people had been baptized was regarded as "the heavenly Jerusalem." Gothic cathedral architecture, including some later churches were deliberately designed to represent "heaven on earth". This was done through artisans imparting qualities of beauty and harmony found in space, stone carvings and stain glass windows.
Church law proclaimed the day to visit one's mother church would be the middle or 4th Sunday in Lent. Arriving at their heavenly Jerusalem, people would attend services and return home when services were concluded. Upon arriving home, the church goers would tell their neighbors they "had gone a mothering." As time progressed, the focus on mother church would be shifted uniquely to honoring one's own personal mother.
Mothering Sunday was the only official day off for servants or those apprenticed to learn a trade. In early England, children as young as 10 were often employed as servants for the wealthy because it was the only way many poor citizens could earn a decent living. Young as they were, mostly servant daughters were given Mothering Sunday off to visit their mother and family. The Lady of the household sometimes gave her servants a present of eggs or a simnel cake to take home to Mum. Children would pick wild flowers, on the way home to add to the gifts mother would receive.
Today, mothers in the British Isles receive cards, a gift or two and sometimes bouquets of flowers on Mothering Sunday, (March 14 this year) still celebrated during the 4th Sunday in Lent. For families attending church, sometimes the church hands out small bouquets of spring flowers for children to take home to their mothers.
Making simnel cake is still a tradition upheld in some households. Usually baked now as an Easter treat, the cake is thought to have it's name derived from "similia", Latin for wheaten flour. The cake is made of two layers of marizpan, or almond paste, one on top and one in the middle. The layer on top serves as the frosting and is decorated with 11 marizpan balls standing for each of the apostles minus Judas. Sometimes, sugar violets are added as a finishing touch.
www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/motheringsunday_1.shtml
|
