Seeing that we have no boldness because of the multitude of our sins, do thou, O Virgin Theotokos, fervently entreat Him who was born of thee: for the prayer of a mother availeth much to the goodwill of the Lord. (from the Sixth Hour)

In many different ways our lives are full of sorrows such as sickness, poverty and bereavement as well, of course, as an awareness of our own failings and inadequacies. All the worldly things to which we turn for comfort can never fully take away all these sorrows, but the joy that God wishes to give us far outweighs them. Why do sorrowful souls find a special joy when they bring their sorrows to the Virgin Mary?