Final answer:
Members of Apostolic societies are faithful Catholics who live by the evangelical counsels without taking formal vows, unlike monastic orders such as the Benedictines and Franciscans which follow formal vows and the Rule of St. Benedict.
Step-by-step explanation:
Members of Apostolic societies are faithful Catholics who pledge to live the evangelical counsels, but who do not take formal vows. Apostolic societies differ from monastic life which is often associated with communities such as the Benedictine and Franciscan orders. These monastic orders follow the Rule of St. Benedict, which stresses a balance of prayer and work, and are known for their formal vows.
Monasticism has been a foundational part of Christian history, with monks and nuns devoting their lives to prayer, work, and the pursuit of Christian piety. Apostolic societies, while sharing a commitment to the Christian life, take a different approach by living these counsels without formal monastic vows.