Throughout my life, the question of when Mother’s Day is celebrated in Nigeria has been a consistent source of confusion for me. Different Christian denominations in the country choose to celebrate the day on different days and even months. The situation is not limited to just different denominations as some dioceses within the Catholic Church also have their own separate dates. As a result, I am left wondering, when is the true date for Mother’s Day in Nigeria?
It is worth noting that Mother’s Day is celebrated as a national holiday in various countries around the world, each with its own designated date. For example, in the United Kingdom and Ireland, it is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, while in the United States and most European and African countries, it is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Similarly, Fathers’ Day is also a national holiday in these countries, with the UK and the US celebrating on the third Sunday in June, and Italy and some European countries celebrating on the Sunday or weekday of March coinciding with the feast of St. Joseph (19th March). I understand that Nigeria has a unified date for Father’s Day – third Sunday in June, which coincides with the US, UK and many other nations.
While the Anglicans in Nigeria celebrate Mother’s Day on the same day as the UK, and I understand that the Pentecostals celebrate it on the same day as the US, the Catholic Church in Nigeria has different dates for their celebration according to diocesan agreement, beginning from the Sunday after 25th March (The Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord).
I am more bothered with the question of why we have made Mother’s Day about the church, and why we cannot have a national date for this celebration in Nigeria. Why must we still be held captive by colonial or religious influences that only serve to divide us unnecessarily? It is time for us to break free from these shackles and come together as one.
In the UK, where Anglicans are the majority, all denominations celebrate Mother’s Day on the same day. In the US, a multi-denominational Christian nation, both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are national celebrations. It would be wonderful to see the same happen in Nigeria.
Therefore, I urge all religious leaders in Nigeria to collaborate with the government and agree on a national date for the celebration of Mother’s Day, as we already have for Father’s Day. Imagine the beauty and impact it would have if all mothers in Nigeria are celebrated on the same day. It would be a unifying force and show that as a nation, we recognize and appreciate the influence and contributions of our mothers and fathers. I strongly hope that one day, this dream will become a reality in Nigeria. So help me God!
– Fr. James Anyaegbu
