A Catholic Religious Order has subcategories:
- Canons Regular, who recite the "Divine Office" (An official set of prayers who mark the hours of the day).
- Monastics, who live and work in a monastery.
- Mendicants, which are friars who participate in apostolic activities.
- Regular Clerks, such as priests.
There are several religious orders among the Catholic Church, including the Carmelites, The Order of Saint Benedict or the Dominican order.
With the New Order of 1983, there is no longer a difference between "solemn" and "simple" vows. It also defines the role of the Superior General, which has authority over the order's dependent communities.