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. Those who were in service were given a day off so they could visit their families, and the children often picked wildflowers along the way either to place in the church or to give to their mothers.
The day is also referred to sometimes as Mid-Lent Sunday or Refreshment Sunday and seen as a day when the austerity of Lent is temporarily put aside. Clergy wear rose robes in some churches as in Advent, when Refreshment Sunday is known as Gaudete Sunday. (Gaudete means "rejoice".) Both days provide a break from the penitential nature of the season and signify the nearness of the Lord's coming.
Mothering Sunday is sometimes known as "Simnel Sunday", in addition to the cake's association with Easter. Simnel cakes celebrate the reuniting of the family, as does the the custom of "clipping the church" where the congregation join hands and circle the church. (Not something we are able to do currently!)
In my copy of "Sunday by Sunday" from the RSCM, the comment for Sunday 22nd March says
"It is very often hard to accept that the triumph of good is never plain sailing" and that we should "pray for the grace to share Mary's pain and suffering for the good of all". This seemed quite pertinent with all that is currently playing out around us; as mothers and as children of God we should trust and struggle together for the ultimate good of all.
On to the music!
If you fancy singing something appropriate there are numerous options - indeed any Magnificat would be ideal! My current favourite is Howells in G, one of his early settings and less well known. Listen here on Youtube. (More on Howells another day, you all know he's a favourite of mine!!)
You can download the music as a PDF here on Choral Wiki and sing along! (Perhaps a setting for next year if we all learn it?!)
Other options are Rutter's "For the Beauty of the Earth" - praising Mother Earth. Another favourite of mine! Listen to it here . Remember the earth and the world outside is still accessible to us. I suspect we might just come to appreciate it a little more over the coming few months. If you are not currently in isolation the National Trust have opened all their parks and gardens for free.
If you don't have Spotify Premium or prefer a CD them this album is available here on Amazon. (Just make sure you select the right option for you as the default is streaming.)
One hymn for this Sunday which leapt off the page was "Let all the world in every corner sing". In the light of current restrictions on movement and interaction, we mustn't stop singing, music is what keeps so many people going and singing is powerful medicine. Music is such a fundamentally joyous part of worship and is so good for the soul. It is praise in its purest form. Please do check out some of the links on the home page for online singing groups, sing along on Spotify or YouTube - do keep singing!
Stay well everyone, look after your mental as well as your physical health. Below is a prayer released by the Church of England for Mothering Sunday:-
