What are the differences between these Catholic groups (see details)

It’s too much to go into. Let me direct you here for a page about the differences. The page is meant for those who think they want to go into the monastic life.

I am studying these groups in a class. The Franciscans were nomads almost. They did not stay in one place, but instead went around relying on the goodness of others. They were started by St. Francis of Assisi.
Dominicans were started by the Spanish saint Dominic. They founded Providence College here in New England.

The Jesuits are very liberal and intellectual. I used to go to a mass were the priest was smoking a cigarette while explaining everything in a very conversational way, mostly seated down but sometimes he stood up to give it some dynamism. Masses lasted around two to three hours, but they were very enlightening. It was really nice.

Just to answer, if it wasn’t already a given, these are all major religious orders of priests. The Recollects, however, I think are a part of the Augustinians. Now, not to totally stereotype, it is true that the Jesuits and Franciscans tend to be a bit more liberal, with the other two more conservative. Now this isn’t a flat out rule, just a tendency. However, except in the most extreme cases, all of the priests teach in accordance to Church doctrine.