After the Second Vatican Council closed in 1965, both organizations started work on starting a lay institute (following the council's encouragement of more lay involvement and ministry in the church; see Lumen Gentium).
[4] The MKLM worked alongside the Maryknoll Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters in their ministries, guided by Catholic social teaching.
[4] MKLM maintains a close working relationship with the Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and Affiliates.
MKLM is one of the largest lay Catholic mission-sending organizations in the U.S. and possesses 40 years of experience in supporting laity in overseas mission.
The organization provides for its missioners a living allowance, health insurance, worker's compensation, life insurance, retirement plan, human resource support and initial travel to and from mission.