The monastic vocation is a special calling in the life of the church and on November 21, the church has set aside a special day, Pro Orantibus Day, to celebrate the lives of women and men dedicated to lives of sacrifice and prayer. One man who recently entered a Trappist monastery is a priest well known in the Milwaukee Archdiocese, Fr. Thomas DeVries. Shortly before he left for the monastery, he spoke to his parishioners about his decision. Read his reasons for turning to a simple life of silence, prayer and obedience within a Trappist community in the November 20 issue of your Catholic Herald. To subscribe to your weekly Catholic publication, call 414-769-3500, toll free 877-769-7699 or visit www.chnonline.org.