The Maryknoll Sisters are known as the educators of the Marshall Islands. Thirty Maryknoll Sisters have worked in the Marshalls since 1950. The first two went to Likiep to establish a primary school, followed in 1953 by Sisters who made their home in Majuro. Assumption Elementary and High Schools in Majuro were administered by Maryknoll Sisters who trained Marshallese teachers and eventually turned over administration to them, taking on a supportive role. This pattern was followed in Likiep.

One Maryknoll Sister served as nurse-educator at the fledgling College of the Marshall Islands. Three Sisters leave the Marshalls in 2008: one who trained the first Marshallese principal; one who trained Religious Education Teachers, writing curriculum and lesson plans in Marshallese; one who worked in diocesan administration, handling logistics for annual conferences and caring for the needs of the outer islands via shortwave radio. Important to understanding life in the outer islands where the Sisters also worked from the beginning, is that they are small and scattered. The population of 56,000 is scattered over 32 atolls, 70 square miles of land amidst 772,000 square miles of ocean.

Currently, two Maryknoll Sisters continue to visit five of the atolls on a rotating basis and stay there for varying lengths of time. Their ministries are primarily educational with an emphasis on Christian formation of students and the development of teaching skills among Marshallese teachers and catechists. They supervise three Catholic schools and give teacher training in public schools; help promote raising of chickens and native food.

They work with the prayer leaders and Catholic communities since a priest can only visit a few times a year The fruit of the outer island ministry was palpable to one Sister at an annual diocesan Catholic Youth Conference: “It was a special treat to be a participant only. A few years ago we Sisters did many of the presentations and logistics. Little by little we have turned it all over and I was watching the Ebeye Youth group running the whole event! What a blessing!”