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Wisdom: an activity based around Mothering Sunday[1]

Please note that the format of this lesson differs from that of the other lessons in this section

This activity looks at Mothering Sunday from the perspective of Mothers as teachers and sources of advice and wisdom.

The term ‘Mother’ can encompass any women who may fulfil this role in young people’s lives; grandmothers, aunts, elders, carers etc

Be aware of those young people for whom this might be a sensitive subject.

Some background information

Mothering Sunday is celebrated on the 4^th Sunday in Lent (the time leading up to Easter in the Christian calendar). Though it is part of the Christian calendar, it is also a time when Christians and non-Christians alike will buy flowers, cards and presents for their mothers to show their love and appreciation.

The origin of Mothering Sunday is thought to come from a time centuries ago when, part-way through Lent, people would go to their ‘Mother’ church (the main Church or Cathedral in their area) to worship, rather than to their small local parish churches. This would also be the time when they would be reunited with their families if they had moved away to find work.

It is thought that this is why a tradition developed where young people who worked away from home would be given a special day off to come home and visit their mothers and families, and would bring flowers as a gift.

There are two versions of this activity available, using different opening activities, with slightly varying emphasis on the issues discussed and with a choice of questions for further work at the end. Choose according to the ability and interest of your group.