Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers

Maryknoll, the heart and hands of the U.S. Catholic Church overseas, shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all people and accompanies them in their struggle for justice and peace.

Why do we exist?

Established in 1911 by U.S. Catholic Bishops as the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America, the organization became popularly known as Maryknoll. Its purpose is to preach and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with peoples of all nations. Maryknoll Missioners accompany the poorest of the poor in their daily struggles for justice, peace and equality. By living the Gospel among those they serve and offering material and spiritual support, Maryknollers foster an awareness of self-worth and dignity among marginalized peoples everywhere. Through the creation of credit unions, clinics and hospitals, agricultural and vocational training programs, lay leadership and community development programs, AIDS ministry and education, feeding, health hygiene and nutrition programs, Maryknoll Missioners bring hope and healing to a world of broken spirits.

What have you accomplished?

Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers serve in 32 countries throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America and the U.S. The accomplishments are too numerous to itemize here, but a typical example of a Maryknoll Missioner at work will help explain.

Maryknoll, the heart and hands of the U.S. Catholic Church overseas, shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all people and accompanies them in their struggle for justice and peace.

High in the Peruvian Altiplano, Maryknoll Father Edmund Cookson and his pastoral team run an alpaca (South American llama) project involving more than 1,000 families, as well as programs for raising chickens and guinea pigs, and building local greenhouses that benefit 2,500 families. These projects offer sound and creative solutions for the rural poor to overcome their poverty and dependence on outside assistance. For example, Father Ed’s work with Aymara families in building adobe greenhouses makes it possible for them to raise vegetables year-round and to improve their diets. The successful alpaca-breeding project has increased the local wool supply and strengthened community bonding. Creative and environmentally sound farming techniques have increased the supply of wheat and barley. The creation of seed banks provides assurance of the availability of seed at planting time for the vegetable gardens and potato crops. Father Ed’s pastoral team provides spiritual nourishment, as well as practical solutions to the problems of daily survival.

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