God's Service to Humanity
A Roman Catholic mission rooted in prayer, Marian devotion, and practical care for orphans and widows.
Support Our Mission Spiritual ResourcesThe History of the Devotion and Its Core Aspects
Apostleship of Mary Help of Orphans (AMHO) is a Roman Catholic devotional and charitable mission centered on prayer, Marian devotion, and care for vulnerable children and widows. The mission began after its founder, Kennethmary Ebuka Akachukwu, received a call on May 31, 2017, to build a devotion dedicated to serving orphans.
The devotion was first observed on November 21, 2021, at the grotto of Our Lady in St. Mary Catholic Church, Ihuokpara, Enugu State. It was later reestablished on March 25, 2022, in Kogi State and has continued to grow across dioceses in Nigeria and abroad, with consecrated, non-consecrated, active, and auxiliary members.
Key Aspects of the AMHO Devotional prayer
Apostolate
AMHO serves orphanages, visits the sick, and supports educational formation rooted in Christian values, moral discipline, and sound learning.
Spirituality/Activities
- Prayer and mortification.
- Wholeheartedly devotions to Mary using our ten decades of Mary help of Orphans rosary at every of our gatherings.
- First Saturday devotion. (twenty decades of Marian rosary, ten decades of Mary help of Orphans rosary and Mary help of Orphans station of the cross).
- Monthly Nine Days novena, from the first day of the month to Nineth day.
- Communion feeding (at the ends of every monthly novena all members expected to gather at their respective parishes to eat and wine at same pot and cup eating together the purpose is for peace making and unity among members. John 17:21, Jesus says "that they may be one.")
- Every Thursday Gethsemane night (Matthew 26:36-46) all members are expected to observe Gethsemane night either as a group or individually.
- Thirty three (33) days Consecration classes, every candidate must undergo this spiritual exercise before consecration according to "St Louis de Montfort."
Charism
Actives (consecrated and Non consecrated) and Auxiliaries (old and young).
Core Beliefs
Our spirituality is grounded in James 1:27: faithful care for orphans, widows, and the vulnerable, together with a life of holiness. Members live this calling through prayer and through the Mary Help of Orphans Rosary.
Motor/slogan
God's Service to Humanity (James 1:27). Our Lady Mary Help of Orphans, pray for us and for the whole world.
Origins
Founded by Kennethmary Ebuka Akachukwu in Ihuokpara Enugu State Nigeria. To spread devotion to Mary and advocate for justice to the Orphans, most abandoned and less privileged globally.
The Two Pillars of Apostleship of Mary Help of Orphans (AMHO)
We believe that faith without works is dead. Our apostolate operates firmly on two distinct but inseparable pillars.
Spiritual Works of Mercy
Through monthly novenas, First Saturday devotions, and continuous Rosary recitations, We implore our Lady Mary Help of Orphans to intercede for moral revival of the world, the safety of children, and the universal Church. We rely entirely on the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Corporal Works of Mercy
We actively step into the margins of society to provide food, shelter, educational scholarships, and healthcare access to orphaned children and destitute widows across various dioceses, fulfilling Christ's direct command to love our neighbors.
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." - James 1:27