History & Ecclesiastical Origins

The Apostleship of Mary Help of Orphans (AMHO) is an International Roman Catholic charitable mission and devotional prayer group, among many other Marian devotions in the Holy Catholic Church. The mission began when founder Kennethmary Ebuka Akachukwu received a divine call to establish a mission dedicated to caring for orphans at the age of 24, while in his second year (200-level) of studying microbiology.

On May 31, 2017, at the hour of 5:00 PM, during his usual Wednesday evening silent moment with the Lord at the Chapel of Adoration, Osisatech Polytechnic (Chaplaincy Owo campus, Nkanu East L.G.A., Enugu State, Nigeria), God appeared to him in a vision. In that vision, the Lord showed him multitudes of children and orphans crying for help, commanding him to lead them and giving the solemn promise of divine protection.

Following this call, he observed the prayer privately for five years while composing the official prayer resources and liturgical manuals for the apostolate.

After completing the first edition of the prayer resources, the founder traveled to his home town and gathered children at the grotto of Our Lady at St. Mary Catholic Church, Ihuokpara, Enugu State, following Holy Mass on Sunday, November 21, 2021, on the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The second foundation took place in the Catholic Diocese of Lokoja at Sacred Heart Parish, Kabba, during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) assignment at St. John Catholic Hospital, Kabba, beginning with only four members. The group subsequently moved to St. Paul Catholic Church, Korede Quarters, Kabba. Through the grace of God, the devotion has since spread throughout Lokoja Diocese and across various dioceses in Nigeria and abroad.

By inspiration of the Holy Ghost and with the founder as a vessel, our official logo came into being and was designed by Mr. Samuel Ademola Aidoo, a friend of Mary Help of Orphans. Every element of the emblem carries profound spiritual symbolism:

• The Seven (7) Stars: Encircled around Our Lady’s head symbolize the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord).
• The Children & Baby: The four children at Her sides and the little infant She is feeding represent orphaned children, motherless babies, and destitute youth under Her maternal mantle.
• The Water Bowl: The child on Her right holds a bowl containing clean water for Our Lady to wash and care for the infant after feeding.
• Black Children: Reflecting that Mother Mary loves all Her children and is ever ready to be the Help of Orphans across Africa and throughout the world.

The apostolate operates firmly on two distinct but inseparable biblical pillars:

1. Orphanage Home Apostolate: Living with orphans and motherless babies in our orphanage homes, providing parental care and moral upbringing.
2. Hospitals Apostolate: Working in healthcare centers and assisting destitute patients financially to receive good medical care.
3. Care for the Elderly: Visiting and praying for the elderly, abandoned, and sick at old people's homes.
4. Educational Formation: Building future generations on Christian morality, moral discipline, and sound academic standards.

• Prayer and Mortification: Offering daily sacrifices for the sanctification of the Church and the relief of suffering.
• Wholehearted Devotion to Mary: Faithful recitation of the Ten Decades of Mary Help of Orphans Rosary at every gathering.
• First Saturday Devotion: Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (20 decades of Marian Rosary, 10 decades of Mary Help of Orphans Rosary, and Stations of the Cross).
• Monthly Nine Days Novena: Observed from the 1st day of every month to the 9th day with prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
• Communion Feeding: At the conclusion of every monthly novena, members gather at their parishes to share food and drink from one pot and cup as a symbol of peacemaking and Christian unity (John 17:21).
• Thursday Gethsemane Night Vigils: Staying awake in prayer (Matthew 26:36-46) individually or in community for moral revival in the world.
• Wednesday Silent Moment with the Lord: From 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM in quiet adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.
• 21-Days Free-Will Wholehearted Consecration: Rigorous 21-day spiritual preparation and Day 22 examination, followed by Day 23 total consecration to Jesus through Mary on a designated Marian Feast.

As an orphan advocacy, AMHO is committed to defending the rights, dignity, and justice of the poorest of the poor, destitute widows, and vulnerable children through prayer and charitable services.

Membership is structured across four canonical categories:

• Consecrated Members: Baptised and practicing Catholics who complete the 21-Days Free-Will Consecration. They are eligible for leadership offices and qualified to apply for the Missionary of Mary Help of Orphans Fathers (MMF) and Sisters (MMS).
• Non-Consecrated Members: Faithful participants entitled to general membership.
• Active Members: Directly engaged in weekly apostolate activities, orphanage visits, and hospital care.
• Auxiliary Members: Devotees, old and young, who support the apostolate through daily prayer and intercession.