A group of selfless nuns who have cared for old and vulnerable people in Dundee for more than 150 years will say goodbye to the city this week.
The Little Sisters of the Poor have run the Wellburn Home in Liff Road since 1863 but have decided to end their association with Dundee.
The nuns announced last year that they were unable to continue their work because of a shortage of new nuns willing to join the order.
Numbers have decreased and the nuns have aged with the majority more than 70-years-old making it difficult for them to cope with the demands of caring for people.
A final mass of thanksgiving for their service was held at St Andrew’s Cathedral on Sunday before the Little Sisters of the Poor finish their work on Friday.
Concerns over the future of the care home in their absence have already been alleviated with the Diocese of Dunkeld securing the funds required to buy and run the home.
The Little Sisters of the Poor arrived in Dundee in 1863 the six-strong group numbering four sisters and two novices with just a few simple possessions.
Their home for the poor became a reality on April 15 of that year after one of the city’s merchants, a Mr Thiebault, offered to buy Wellburn in their name.
A spokesperson for the Little Sisters said the decision to now leave Wellburn after 152 Years had been “a very painful one” but also unavoidable.
“With the decline of vocations and other major factors we felt, after much prayer and reflection, that this was the hard decision we had to make,” they said.
“What softened the blow for us a little was the fact that Bishop Stephen and his management team in the Diocese wanted to keep Wellburn going and we are very happy to know that our residents and staff will remain in the home.
“We have seen many changes over the past 150 years and we have valued the love and friendship of all who have been involved in the life of our home and those who have helped, supported and befriended us.
“The generosity of the people of Dundee has been outstanding and never failed us, nor have our friends in Dundee City Council, who have been truly wonderful throughout this process.
“Our prayer is one of gratitude and thanksgiving for the graces and blessings which we have received in our home.”
The Little Sisters of the Poor will continue to operate nine homes in England.