Mothering Sunday

"He who goes a-mothering finds violets in the lane..."

Today my beloved husband and dear children will present me with a Lenten reprieve in the form of a rich, traditional cake. This is the fourth Sunday of lent, known as Laetare Sunday or Mothering Sunday.

The fourth Sunday in Lent (Mid-Lent) derives its Latin name from the first word of the Mass text, "Laetare Jerusalem" (Rejoice, O Jerusalem). It is a day of joy within the mourning season. The altars may be decorated with flowers, organ playing is permitted, and the priests may wear rose-colored vestments instead of purple. The reason for such display of joy is explained in a sermon by Pope Innocent III (1216): "On this Sunday, which marks the middle of Lent, a measure of consoling relaxation is provided, so that the faithful may not break down under the severe strain of Lenten fast but may continue to bear the restrictions with a refreshed and easier heart."[31]

Laetare Sunday is the traditionally the day to honor our Mother, Mother Church, that is. People would visit their "home" Church, the one in which they were baptised. One can hardly ignore the fact that yesterday we also celebrated the feast of the Annunciation which certainly gives special meaning to this day of mothers. But, Mothering Sunday also became a sort of pre-Hallmark, Catholic Mother's Day. So on this fourth Sunday, my family has awaiting a delicious Simnel Cake using the recipe from Continual Feast. Here is a snippet describing the Simnel Cake custom:

It was also the custom for the boys and girls to visit their own mother on the same day. They brought her flowers and simnel cakes (a rich plum cake; from simila, fine flour) and would do all the housework for her. This old custom still survives in certain parts of England, and the cakes are sold in London as well as provincial towns. Hence the name "Mothering Sunday" and the famous old saying, "He who goes a-mothering finds violets in the lane." An ancient carol entitled "Mothering Sunday" (It Is the Day of All the Year) may be found in the "Oxford Book of Carols." The tune is taken from an old German song of the fourteenth century. Robert Herrick (1674) mentioned the custom in his poem To Dianeme:
I'll to thee a simnel bring 'Gainst thou go'st a-mothering, So that when she blesseth thee, Half that blessing thou'lt give me.

I don't know that the children intend to do all of the house work for me, but I shall be satisfied with a few sweet bites of cake prepared lovingly by many hands. Say, we do own the "Oxford Book of Carols," perhaps I can persuade the little cherubs to strike up a chorus of "It is the Day of All the Year!"