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Lent
Mothering Sunday (United Kingdom)
Also called: Mid-Lent Sunday, Laetare Sunday, Fourth Sunday of Lent
Fourth Sunday of Lent (mid-Lent)
AnglicanCatholicMethodist
A tradition with pre-Reformation origins, when servants were given the day off to visit their "mother church" (the cathedral or church of baptism). Families reunited and the day became an occasion for celebration of mothers.
The church calendar color rose/pink is used on this Sunday (called "Laetare Sunday," from the opening word of the introit "Laetare Jerusalem" — "Rejoice, Jerusalem"). It usually falls on or around Fourth Sunday of Lent (mid-Lent).
It is especially important in Anglican, Catholic, Methodist traditions. Find a retreat — browse options on Eden.
At a glance
- Type
- feast
- Date type
- Moveable (changes with Easter)
- Regions
- Global
- Themes
- Church History, Mary
- Liturgical colour
- Rose/Pink
Common questions
Mothering Sunday (United Kingdom) is observed on Fourth Sunday of Lent (mid-Lent). Moveable feasts shift each year; fixed feasts stay on the same calendar date.
A tradition with pre-Reformation origins, when servants were given the day off to visit their "mother church" (the cathedral or church of baptism). Families reunited and the day became an occasion for celebration of mothers. The church calendar color rose/pink is used on this Sunday (called "Laetare Sunday," from the opening word of the introit "Laetare Jerusalem" — "Rejoice, Jerusalem"). Traditional s
It is associated with Anglican, Catholic, Methodist. It falls in the Lent season of the liturgical year.