Monk A monk is a member of a community of men, leading a contemplative life apart from the world, under the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, according to a rule characteristic of the particular order to which he belongs. They live in the monastic tradition which started in the first thousand years of the Church. Friars take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience within a religious community and who follow the vision of their founder. Apostolic These are priests who join a religious society or congregation in order to follow the charism of their founder. They do not belong to a diocese.
Apostolic priests take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
A deacon is an ordained minister of the Church who can preach, baptize, witness marriages, and preside at burials. Nuns are cloistered, living a life of prayer within a monastery with limited, internal apostolates. Most Sisters are engaged in active ministry with the People of God. They are called upon for many tasks and positions within the Church forming the People of God. Each religious order has a founder who was inspired to meet a certain need or respond to a specific situation in the history of the Church.