Mothers Day or Mothering Sunday is celebrated in Ireland, England and Nigeria
on the fourth Sunday of Lent, exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday (March 22 in 2009). It is celebrated on various other dates in different parts of the world. It is believed to have originated from the 16th century Christian practice of visiting one's mother's church annually, which meant that most mothers would be reunited with their children on this day. Most historians believe that young apprentices and young women in servitude were released by their masters that weekend in order to visit their families. As a result of secularisation, it is now principally used to show appreciation to one's mother, although it is still recognised in the historical sense by some churches, with attention paid to Mary the mother of Jesus Christ as well as the traditional concept 'Mother Church'. The extent of the celebrations varies greatly. In some countries, it is potentially offensive to one's mother not to mark Mother's Day. In others, it is a little-known festival celebrated mainly by immigrants, or covered by the media as a taste of foreign culture. It is a day that affords us all the opportunity of showing appreciation for all that our mothers have done and continue to do for us. It is a time too for remembering those mothers who are no longer with us. To all we wish you a VERY HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!