In the Roman Catholic faith, what is a term for a man who is a member of a religious order but not yet ordained?

In the Roman Catholic faith, a man who is a member of a religious order but not yet ordained is referred to as a Brother. This term typically denotes someone who has made vows and is living a religious life but has not received the sacrament of Holy Orders, which is necessary to become a priest.

Brothers often participate in the community’s religious activities, engage in charitable works, and follow the order's specific mission and charisms. The term "Brother" can refer to members of various religious orders, emphasizing their commitment to communal living and the pursuit of spiritual goals rather than the priestly duties associated with ordination.

The other terms, while related to religious life, differ in context. A Friar is typically a member of a mendicant order who does often hold orders, whereas a Monk usually lives in a monastic community, often with strict rules and vows, and many are also ordained as priests. A Deacon, on the other hand, is someone who has been ordained but is not yet a priest; they perform specific roles within the church, including assisting in the sacraments. Therefore, Brother is the appropriate designation for a member of a religious order in this specific stage of formation.