The Fourth Sunday in Lent is known, in Latin, as Laetare, for lightening, indicating a lessening of the Lenten fast.

In the English church, it is also known as “Mothering Sunday,” and the faithful were encouraged to visit the church or cathedral where they were baptized. Apprentices working away from home had the day to visit their mother church and their mother, so this Sunday is the church’s celebration of mothers and those who serve in a mothering capacity in our lives, secular and spiritual.

The Lenten fast was no small thing in earlier times! In the historical murder mystery I’m currently reading (set fairly late in the reign of Henry VIII), it notes butchers arrested by the authorities at the behest of the Bishop of London for selling meat during Lent, and nobles imprisoned for Lent-breaking.

In England, Simnel Cake is the traditional food of Mothering Sunday. It’s a special fruitcake, traditionally topped with eleven marzipan balls representing the Jesus’s faithful disciples.

For more on Simnel Cakes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simnel_cake

Here’s a simpler Simnel Cake recipe:https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/easter/easter-recipes/a26585500/easy-simnel-cake/