In 1976 the first Maryknoll Sisters arrived in the Sudan as part of a team of three Maryknoll priests and two Sisters. Their mission was to set up the National Pastoral, Liturgical, Catechetical Centre (PALICA) at the request of the Conference of Sudanese Bishops. One Sister remained in the Centre with Sudanese colleagues until 1992.

Over the years, thirteen Maryknoll Sisters have served in the Sudan in clinics, laboratories, schools, teacher training, pastoral centers, counseling, work with refugees and displaced people, biblical translation, and a contemplative House of Prayer and Peace. With other expatriates, all the Sisters were expelled in 1992.

In 1993, Bishop Paride Taban  welcomed the Sisters back to his Torit Diocese which is located within the areas controlled by the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M).They experienced with the people life in a war zone being advised to flee with the people from three different locations. In 2007, two Sisters left Sudan after turning over a school and clinic to Kenyan Sisters.

In 1986, two members of the Maryknoll Sisters Contemplative Community responded to an invitation to the Torit Diocese. In 1992 the civil war forced the Sisters and people of their area to leave southern Sudan. They were able to return in 2000, and are accompanying the people in their House of Prayer and Peace in Narus.