What is the difference between a religious order and a religious society?

Answer 1

Religious orders means.....how to do or not to... Religious Society means... people doing acording to their will. Answer: Religious Orders usually refers to men and women who enter religious houses such as a monastery, convent or abbey. In The Christian world, these people take binding vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. They most often wear a habit (a particular manner of dress). Some Orders permit their members to go out into the world at large to perform their religious duties, whilst others require their members to stay within the grounds of their particular religious house to perform their duties. The latter are often referred to as contemplative orders, meaning that these people devote themselves to lives of prayer (contemplation) and physical work. Generally speaking, Religious Societies are the exact opposite. These societies are comprised of Lay people who do not take vows, nor do they wear a habit. They devote themselves to doing charitable activities in the world outside the walls of a religious house. Religious Societies are often referred to as Sodalities. The answer I have given refers mainly to The Roman Catholic Church, although other Religious Faiths may do something similar.