In Honduras, as in other countries, Mother’s Day is celebrated the second Sunday of May. This is a very popular celebration that takes place in all types of organizations: schools, churches, unions, trusts, etc.

Companies seeking to market their products through this special day reminds us weeks in advance the value of mothers, and they invite us to celebrate her with gifts. In schools children make crafts to give to their mothers, where they are also taught the Honduran Hymn to Mothers.

The Hymn to Mothers, whose lyrics are by Augusto C. Coello, and music by Rafael Coello Ramos, is sung in schools, colleges, churches, and other groups that come together to celebrate mothers on their day.

Mother’s Day is much more popular than Father’s Day, for the love of mother has no comparison. While there are irresponsible fathers who leave women after pregnancy, single mothers engage in any kind of sacrifices for the welfare of their children. That is why Mother’s Day is celebrated with great joy and gratitude.

In Honduras, Mother’s Day was officialy declared in 1927.

Honduras’ name was given by Vicente Yanez Pinzon and Juan Diaz de Solis in 1508, it most likely originated in the castilianization of Huntulha, and it refers to the watery coast and not to the deep sea. The territory was also called Higueras, Guaymuras and Cabo de Honduras.

Honduras Official Name

Although “Honduras” was named after [Central American] Independence in 1821, the official name was given and formalized on May 8, 1862 by the House of Representatives, in the city of Santa Rosa de Copan. In this respect, the Decree No. 3 indicates that “the House of Representatives, considering its authority and duty to institute the name the nation will bear, proceeding in line with the political status that belongs to it, attending the principles unfolded in the charter, has seen fit to decree and decrees: Article No. 1: The name of all towns that form the State, including its adjacent islands, will henceforth be the Republic of Honduras.”

Taken from “Honduras Geográfica”, an El Heraldo newspaper supplement. First Edition.

Here I put my translation of the Honduran Hymn to Mothers, used for Mother’s Day:

Lyrics: Augusto C. Cuello.
Music: Rafael Coello Ramos.

Chorus

In the name of mother is enclosed
The highest expression of love.
For there cannot be on earth
A clearer picture of God.

Solo

When we open our restless eyes
At the first glow of life,
It’s her pale and moved face
Our first and sweet vision.
And upon entering the unknown path,
At her holy and charitable shadow,
Every thorn that wounded our sole
Is turned by your hands into bloom.

Mother, you are our consolation in sorrow,
Hope and faith for the road,
A good tree that gives to pilgrim
Rest, shelter and peace.
Your love is sanctified in such way
That God himself being tortured to death
Sublimated his holy martyrdom
With your last kiss on his face.

As a holy service Honduras consecrates
In this day your immortal glory.
Mother you are good, joy,
Protection, light and forgiveness.
Your exalted virtue going through
The mystery of remote ages
Expands in the warm notes
That beat in this song.

See the hymn in its original in Spanish: Himno a la Madre hondureña.
Download the hymn in mp3.