religious brother

A religious brother (abbreviated Br. or Bro. as a title) is a lay male member of a religious institute or religious order who commits himself to following Christ in consecrated life, usually by the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Equivalent to a religious sister, a religious brother typically lives in a religious community and works in a ministry appropriate to his capabilities. A brother might practice any secular occupation. Some religious institutes are composed only of brothers; others are made up of brothers and clerics (priests or ministers, and seminarians). In some Christian groups, members refer to each other as "brother" or "sister". For example, Shakers use the title for all adult male members.