MOTHERING SUNDAY

Evening Star, Issue 17927, 24 March 1922, Page 8

MOTHERING SUNDAY

An old church custom called “ Mothering Sunday” consists of families meeting together on the fourth Sunday in Lent, in order that they might go, as a family, to church for thanksgiving. It is also the occasion for the members of the family_ to pay a tribute to mother and home. Gifts of flowers, chiefly violets, amt a simnel cake are made to the mother, and those members of the family who live at a distance from home send their gifts to the mother. In families where the mother has gone to her long rest violets are laid on her grave. The gathering of the family in the home is symbolical of the Church as the family of God. The Church as a family is also emphasised; likewise the nation and the Mother Land ; and ‘‘Jerusalem, which is above, the mother of us all.” Her Majesty the Queen and Queen Alexandra have shown their interest in this ancient custom by accepting gifts and shaving the symbolism of the day with their people. A “Mothering Sunday” play, procession, and tableau were staged at St. Mark’s Hall, Green Island, on Wednesday evening before a large audience. The play opened with the scene in a home, where the children during the mothers’ absence arranged amongst themselves to prepare for “ Mothering Sunday ” as a surprise for her. Another scene showed a young man in a distant land dreaming of mother and home. The procession which followed was composed of all who took part in the play, led by a cross-bearer and acolytes; and the other members of the procession carried symbols representing the Church. One lady represented Mother Church, and banner-bearers carried banners representing tit. George presenting his banner to an English knight,, St. Andrew presenting his banner.to a Scottish knight, St. Patrick presenting his banner to an Irish knight, and the fourth banner showed all three knights presenting their banners to Mother Church, who sews thorn into the Union Jack. By play, procession, and tableau lessons of loyalty to mother and home, to the Mother Land, and to Mother Church are impressed upon the audience. The ceremony closed l with the blessing by the vicar and a verse of the National Anthem.