Spirituality of Mother's Day? Let's Explore a Tradition - plus giveaway info!

Mother's day is really basically a holiday that is more secular if you think about it. Anna Jarvis founded the modern day version of Mother's day in 1908 according to the history channel! It became an official holiday in 1914! Wow, I did not know it had been around that long! Anna did not like the commercialization of the holiday and ended up trying to remove it from the calendar towards the end of her life. We all know that most mother's day is filled with cards and flowers. I kind of call it the "Hallmark" and "floral industry" celebration. If you notice all those flowers always cost more on "holiday" weekends like Valentine's Day and Mother's Day! And Hallmark makes all the money off cards too. 

So, how can we view Mother's day as more spiritual. The History channel article I read also mentioned that there use to be a "Mothering Sunday". (Source: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/mothers-day ) 

"Mothering Sunday" is more of a British tradition and this happened in the middle of Lent - actually the 4th Sunday of Lent which we like to call Laterae Sunday - Joy Sunday. So, the tradition of the British is for a mother to return to her "mother church" - basically like the church you grew up in or went to as a youth. You would return "home" and celebrate with your family - so your mother, grandmother, etc. would also be there. It was a little family celebration of motherhood. Cards and gifts might be given - but in a lot less secular way. (Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/motheringsunday_1.shtml

OK, but that is not specifically Catholic - I agree - so now what? 

Well, instead of honoring our earthly mothers - we honor Our Blessed Virgin Mary in May and honor her by having a May Crowning. This is usually done either the First Saturday or First Sunday of the Month - though this could fall at different time depending on the parish you attend. 

We sing songs about Mary and her life during this special ceremony. We put flowers at her altar. She is the Queen and Mother of God. Why should we not honor the mother that stood at the foot of the Cross? Easter season is here and this is the best time to celebrate Mary during May! 

(Source: https://www.dolr.org/article/honoring-mothers-catholic-tradition ) 

In order to "right" Anna Jarvis' true meaning of motherhood - I think she would rather us celebrate Mother's day a bit like the British - let's go back to our home "parish" and visit with our own mother's this day. Celebrate as a family. Also, give mom more of a religious gift - a Rosary, Bible, Spiritual Book to read, a chapel veil! Just some ideas to think about! I think Anna Jarvis wouldn't mind if we didn't patronize Hallmark or the floral section - make your own handmade cards for your mum - find a meaningful gift. Cut some flowers from your own Marian Garden! (I thik I'll post more about Marian gardens later). Do something that is less commercialized with your mother this Mother's day weekend! 

Now, we do have a giveaway announcement - I make chapel veils - and I will be giving away one chapel veil from Regina Caeli Veils Page on Facebook - click here: https://www.facebook.com/reginacaeliheadcoverings/

Go to the page - message us and say "I want to be in giveaway" or email us at catholicdoulaprogram@gmail.com and we will enter you in the giveaway. We also may include a small spiritual book too! The giveaway drawing will be on Mother's day! 

Thank you!