Mother's Day

A History of Mother's Day

The Romans celebrated a spring festival dedicated to the mother goddess, Cybele. The festival, called Hilaria, was three days long and started on the ides of March.

Early Christendom celebrated Mothering Sunday on the fourth Sunday in Lent to worship Mary, the Mother of Christ. This holiday became important to children of domestic service, living in the master's household, it was an opportunity to return to their families to see their mothers. It was usually customary to bring gifts. The simnel cake was especially popular as a gift for mom. 

In the United States we owe the honoring of moms Miss Anna M. Jarvis whom arranged to have her church in Grafton, West Virginia, dedicate a Mother's Day service to her mother's memory. Miss Jarvis had lost her mom three years prior, in May of 1905. Her mother loved and grew carnation flowers, everyone in attendance at that Sunday service was given one of these flowers. 

Miss Jarvis waged a campaign to have a day set aside to honor mothers. She wrote letters and talked with influential people. More and more States eventually proclaimed a "Mother's Day", usually the second Sunday in May. At the same time the Carnation became associated with the day, red blooms worn to honor mothers that are still living, white for those that have passed.

On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issue the first Mother's Day proclamation. He designated the second Sunday in May as a day set aside to express "our love and reverence for the mothers of our country." Despite the success of Miss Jarvis's efforts, she became disillusioned with the commercialism that started to surround the day and she died bitter and disappointed.

A Mother's Day celebration today gives mom special attention. She will, most likely, receive cards and gifts and perhaps the traditional corsage of carnations. If children do not live at home, they will call or visit. The family may make a special effort to relieve her of her household duties and breakfast may be served to her, perhaps even in bed. The family may treat mom to a  dinner to her favorite restaurant. Many churches hold services honoring motherhood, preserving the spirit of the day as envisioned by Anna Jarvis.