Aging Sisters of Charity Prepare to Close Order After 209 Years

As the order's numbers dwindle, Sister Mary Kay Finneran helps guide the final days of her fellow nuns at a Bronx senior home

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:05pm

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An extremely blurred, atmospheric photograph depicting the shadowy outlines of elderly nuns gathered around a bedside in a dimly lit room, conveying a sense of reverence and the fading of a sacred way of life.As the Sisters of Charity prepare to close their doors after over 200 years of service in New York City, the final days of the order are marked by quiet moments of care, community, and the acceptance of mortality.NYC Today

The Sisters of Charity of New York, an order that has served the city for over 200 years, is nearing its end as the remaining 124 sisters, with a median age of 87, prepare to cease accepting new members. Sister Mary Kay Finneran, 87, is one of the last able-bodied sisters, caring for her infirm fellow nuns at the Kittay Senior Apartments in the Bronx. As the order votes to dissolve, Mary Kay reflects on her own journey from a timid young nun to a more questioning and faithful sister who has witnessed the order's evolution.

Why it matters

The decline of the Sisters of Charity reflects the broader trend of shrinking Catholic religious orders in the U.S., which have seen their numbers drop by nearly 80% over the past 60 years. The order's dissolution marks the end of a storied legacy of service and community engagement in New York City, where the Sisters of Charity have been a fixture for over two centuries.

The details

At the Kittay Senior Apartments in the Bronx, the remaining Sisters of Charity live on the ninth floor, a close-knit community caring for one another as their numbers dwindle. Sister Mary Kay Finneran, 87, is the most able-bodied and clear-minded of the sisters, serving as an unofficial mayor and caretaker for her fellow nuns. In April 2023, the order voted unanimously to cease accepting new members and complete its mission when the last sister dies. Mary Kay was initially resistant to the idea of dissolution, but came to accept it as the only option left.

  • In April 2023, the Sisters of Charity voted to dissolve the order.
  • On the July afternoon when Sister Anna passed away, the light had dimmed to dusk.

The players

Sister Mary Kay Finneran

An 87-year-old nun who is one of the last able-bodied members of the Sisters of Charity, caring for her infirm fellow nuns at the Kittay Senior Apartments in the Bronx.

Sister Anna

A fellow nun who lived across the hall from Mary Kay and was cared for by her in her final days.

Sisters of Charity of New York

A Catholic religious order that has served New York City for 209 years, but is now nearing its end as its numbers dwindle to just 124 members with a median age of 87.

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What they’re saying

“Don't tell anyone," she said, dryly. Her lungs were failing. Her sight had narrowed to shadows. She would not make it to the order's final days. But she had her own question to answer, the same one in smaller form: how to finish a life spent caring for others -- and then, at last, how to let go.”

— Sister Mary Kay Finneran

“When needed, try to be there -- it's as simple as that,”

— Sister Mary Kay Finneran

What’s next

The order will continue to operate until the last remaining sister passes away, at which point the Sisters of Charity of New York will cease to exist.

The takeaway

The dissolution of the Sisters of Charity of New York marks the end of an era, as one of the city's most storied and impactful religious orders completes its mission after over two centuries of service. Sister Mary Kay Finneran's story embodies the order's evolution and the bittersweet realities of its final chapter, as the remaining sisters navigate the challenges of aging and the weighty decision to cease accepting new members.