The Order consists of a single class of Knights who wear the gold collar, the red wavy silk sash, and the badge. It is of noble character and is conferred exclusively upon certain sovereigns or heads of great noble families, both from the former Kingdom and from Europe. Exceptionally, Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church also receive the honor of the Order of Saint Januarius.

“The ordinary number of Knights shall amount to sixty,” as stated in Chapter IV of the Statutes promulgated on July 3, 1738, by King Charles of Bourbon and reinstated by Magisterial Decree on May 15, 2002, by H.R.H. Prince Ferdinand, Duke of Castro, of venerated memory. The Princes of the Royal House of the Two Sicilies are considered supernumerary knights.

The Statutes of the Order further establish that it is a Catholic institution dedicated to fostering true chivalry and Christian brotherhood. The principal duty of the Knights is “the advancement, at whatever cost to themselves, of the most holy Religion” and to “act virtuously” so as to be “a heroic example of piety toward God and loyalty toward their Prince” (cf. Part One of the Statutes of the I.R.O. of Saint Januarius 1738).