The San Luigi Orders admit members by invitation and by recommendation from existing members.

Membership in an Order of Chivalry is rightly viewed as a mark of distinction, and this is all the more the case in respect of the San Luigi Orders since they are under the Royal Patronage of a reigning monarch. For this reason, candidates who are admitted are considered to have demonstrated merit through achievement, character and service. They are also expected to be active in their support of the Orders and the causes that they support.

The principal distinguishing factor in membership is that the Order of the Crown of Thorns is confined to baptised Christians (without regard to denomination) while the Order of the Lion and the Black Cross has no such religious requirement, and is open to non-Christians as well as to atheists and agnostics. Other than this, no discriminatory factors are applied in the consideration of nominees for membership.

A candidate aspiring to membership is required to obtain a sponsor from within the Orders to support their application as one of their required referees. The sponsor can provide the necessary application forms and details of the obligations of membership, including the applicable passage fees, oblations and arrangements for obtaining insignia.

The Companionates of the Orders are reserved for younger members who will, in due course, normally be promoted to Knight or Dame. Candidates for the Companionates are required to be sponsored by a member of the Orders of the rank of knight or above.

All passage fees, oblations and donations connected with the San Luigi Orders are payable solely as directed by the Prince Grand Master and no third party is authorized to collect such fees on behalf of the Orders. Exemptions from such fees may be made by the Prince Grand Master in the case of serving clergy and others at his sole discretion.

Where petitions for membership are declined, it is the policy of the Orders not to give reasons for rejection or to enter into discussion regarding the decision.

Promotion to a higher rank in the Orders is made by the Prince Grand Master in the case of those who have rendered distinguished service to the cause of San Luigi and/or Bunyoro-Kitara. Such promotion is purely discretionary and the majority of members will remain at the rank of Knight or Dame throughout their time in the Orders.

Payment of donations, Passage Fees and oblations

It is possible to remit donations, Passage Fees and oblations via PayPal (whereby credit cards may be used) using the following link which is administered directly on behalf of the Prince-Abbot.

Disclaimer

In accordance with the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925, none of the designations of membership conferred by the Abbey-Principality of San Luigi or Royal Belarus is a peerage or title of honour, nor is it a dignity of any description within the meaning of the Act.