Mother’s Day, as we know it today, is widely celebrated in Alberta, across Canada, and in many parts of the world on the second Sunday of May. But did you know this day carries both modern and ancient, even Christian, significance? Let’s explore the rich background behind this cherished day.
The concept of honoring mothers goes back thousands of years. Ancient Greeks and Romans held festivals for mother goddesses like Rhea and Cybele, often with offerings and feasts.
In the Middle Ages, Christians in parts of Europe observed Mothering Sunday on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Originally a day to visit one’s “mother church,” it evolved into a time for families to reunite and honor mothers with flowers, food, and rest.
The modern version of Mother’s Day began in the United States:
1908: Anna Jarvis organized the first official celebration in West Virginia to honor her late mother.
1914: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May a national holiday to honor mothers across the country.
Canada, including Alberta, quickly adopted this tradition, and it has remained on the second Sunday of May ever since.
Today, Mother’s Day is widely observed with cards, flowers, gifts, and heartfelt expressions of gratitude — though it is not an official public holiday in Canada.
While today’s Mother’s Day is primarily secular, it shares deep symbolic and historical ties with Christian tradition.
Still celebrated in the UK and parts of Europe, this Christian-rooted observance continues to blend religious and maternal appreciation, often including special church services and family gatherings.
In the Catholic Church, May is the Month of Mary, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus and spiritual mother of all. Devotions include:
May crownings
Rosary prayers
Processions and hymns
Though not officially linked, it’s beautifully fitting that Mother’s Day often falls during the same time as Marian devotion — uniting love for biological mothers with reverence for the Mother of God.
Not all countries celebrate on the same day:
| Country | Date |
|---|---|
| Canada & U.S. | Second Sunday in May |
| UK | Fourth Sunday of Lent |
| Mexico | May 10 (fixed date) |
| France | Last Sunday of May |
| Thailand | August 12 (Queen’s birthday) |
Despite the different dates, the message is universal: mothers matter deeply, and taking a moment to honor their sacrifice, love, and care transcends culture and calendar.
Mother’s Day brings together threads from ancient cultures, Christian faith, and modern appreciation. Whether celebrated with a prayer, a bouquet, or a simple “thank you,” it’s a day to recognize the powerful role of mothers — both earthly and heavenly — in shaping our lives
