This was an ancient Roman festival held in honor of the manes, or souls of the dead - in
particular, deceased relatives.

It began a season for remembering the dead, which ended with the Feralia on February
21.

This week was a quiet, serious occasion, without the rowdiness that characterized other
Roman festivals.

Everything, including the temples, closed down, and people decorated graves with
flowers and left food - sometimes elaborate banquets - in the cemeteries in the belief
that it would be eaten by the spirits of the deceased.

February 22 was devoted to forgiveness and the restoration of friendships broken during
the preceding year.

More info...
https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Parentalia

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