Back in Britain after losing her bid to adopt Malawian orphan Mercy James, crestfallen Madonna plans to "share her pain" over the Jewish festival Passover this week with fellow followers of her Jewish Kabbalah faith.
"She will be speaking about her pain at the meetings she attends, where everyone's expected to share each other's emotions. It's a cathartic process and Madonna finds it very healing," a pal of the singer tells the Daily Mail.
Sources say Madonna, who on Tuesday made her first public appearance since returning from Africa at Cecconi's restaurant in London with designer friend Stella McCartney, is more determined than ever to transmit Kabbalah values to her children.
The 50-year-old has apparently reached an amicable agreement with former husband Guy Ritchie about celebrating the faith over Passover with sons Rocco, eight, and adopted three-year-old David. The Sherlock Holmes director is to spend the next week with them at the former family home in Wiltshire.
"He has agreed that the boys will not eat bread, that they will say their prayers and talk about the principles of Passover," says the friend.
Meanwhile Madonna will mark the festival, which begins at sundown on Wednesday and lasts for eight days, with 12-year-old daughter Lourdes and her closest Kabbalah colleagues in London.