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Mother's Day Facts Mother’s Day is that rare occasion when the family runs on “mom time.” From meal preparation to dictating the day’s activities, families rally around the lady of the house, making sure the only finger she raises is to order another café latte. Mother’s Day is a tradition in France also and has a tradition of pastry and flowers being showered on mothers in France. Mother’s Day is, in fact, the busiest day for restaurants in the United States, too. Consequently, many people may opt not to fight the crowds.
How It All Started Mother’s Day has been traced to 250 B.C., when the Romans held festivals dedicated to the worship of Cybele, a mother goddess. This holiday, known as Hilaria, lasted for 3 days, from March 15 to March 18. In ancient Greece, the spring festival honored Rhea, wife of Cronus and mother of the gods and goddesses. More modern-day Mother’s Day festivities can be traced to England and that country’s “Mothering Day”: observed on the 4th Sunday of Lent. Some people believe ceremonies honoring Cybele were adopted by the early church to venerate Mary, the Mother of Christ. Others believe the Mother Church was substituted for mother goddess and custom began to dictate that people visit the church of their baptism on this day. People attended church ladened with offerings.
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