Rooted in the Church's ancient teaching on the communion of saints and prayer for the dead (2 Maccabees 12:46), the devotion is fostered especially in November, the month of the Holy Souls, beginning with All Souls' Day.

Offer Masses, the Holy Rosary, the Eternal Rest prayer, indulgenced works, and acts of charity for the souls in purgatory, especially during November and on All Souls' Day; visiting a cemetery and praying for the dead gains an indulgence applicable to them.

• eternal-rest
• de-profundis