|
2nd Sunday of May
Click on picture below or above to view or email
  |
 |
 |
 |
mother's
day
United States
|
i s t o r y
|
Modern Mother's Day grew out of
ancient springtime festivals celebrating fertility and mother goddesses.
For example, the Phrygians of Asia Minor honored Cybele, the mother of
all Phrygian gods with an annual festival; the ancient Greek springtime
event was dedicated to their mother goddess, Rhea; Romans celebrated the
Magna Mater with the three day festival of Hilaria, which began each
year on March 15th, a date that also concurs with the Roman
Vernal Equinox observance. During the Middle Ages, with only one day a
year, excepting major Christian holidays, allotted for personal time, a
custom of working children returning home on the fourth Sunday of Lent
to visit their mothers and pay homage to Mother Church became prevalent
in England and Scotland. The tradition outlasted the harsh conditions of
the time and turned into Mothering Sunday, celebrated in Great Britain
to this day. While some may still believe that Mother's Day is a
Hallmark holiday created to boost flower, chocolate, and greeting card
sales, it was first observed in the United States after the example of
Mothering Sunday on May 10, 1908. By the time it was proclaimed a
national holiday and the second Sunday in May set aside for its
observance by President Woodrow Wilson in May, 1914, a Mother's Day
commemoration existed in each of the fifty states.
|
r a d i t i o n s
|
To venerate and appease their
goddesses, ancient people made sacrifices and offerings at alters and
temples built in their honor. Likewise, the people of Great Britain
would each attend the church in which their baptism was held with
abundant contributions. It was also customary for children for bring
gifts specifically for their mothers upon homecoming. These were often
baked goods, called 'mothering cakes' for the occasion. Sometimes the
delicacy was furmety, a dish of wheat grains cooked in sweet
milk, then covered with sugar and spices. In other parts of the region,
pea pancakes called carlings were preferred. Food gifts were most
practical, especially during hard times, but the tradition of giving
food lives on through the American custom of serving mothers breakfast
in bed on Mother's Day. Flowers, cards, drawings, notes, poems, as well
as the completion of the occasional household chore are the most common
ways in which mothers are thanked for everything they do on a daily
basis. Do something special to express your gratitude and admiration for
your mother's unparalleled role and involvement in your life. Keep what
would really please her in mind and celebrate your mother, on Mother's
Day and every day of the year!
|
a c t s
|
 The first
observance of Mother's Day in the United States were church services
held in Grafton, West Virginia and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania dedicated
to the deceased mother of Anna Jarvis, whose letter-writing campaign
resulted in the national adoption of Mother's Day.
Mother's Day is currently celebrated in
approximately forty different countries, thanks in part to the Mother's
Day International Association, which was established in December of 1912
to promote significant and appropriate celebrations of Mother's Day and
to disseminate the idea of the holiday.
Carnations are the flower associated with
Mother's Day, and were present at the first celebration thereof. White
carnations were chosen to represent a mother that has died and red
gradually became a symbol of a living mother.
see
some great cards to send for this holida |
|
