The Singing Nun
Born:
Jeanne-Paule Marie "Jeannine" Deckers on October 17, 1933 in
Brussels, Belgium she was known as “Sœur Sourire” in French or 'Zuster
Glimlach' in Dutch/Flemish – which means “Smiling Sister” – but in English
Speaking Countries she was known as “The Singing Nun.”
She
became a Member of the Dominican Order (The Missionary Dominican Sisters of Our
Lady of Fichermont) in 1959 in Belgium and known as Sister Luc Gabriel. Having
always enjoyed singing she would sing around the Convent and she was asked to
record an Album to raise money for the Convent’s Missions.
She
recorded the album in 1962 and her single "Dominique" (in French)
became an international hit selling nearly 2 Million copies.
She
became an International Celebrity and took the stage name of Sœur Sourire. She
gave several live concerts and appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on television
on January 5, 1964.
"Dominique"
was the first song by a Belgian Artist to be a number one hit Single in the
United States. The song is about Saint Dominic, a Spanish-Born Priest and
Founder of the Dominican Order, of which she was a Member.
The
Song's chorus refrain "Dominique, nique, nique" was the source of
some unintended amusement amongst French Listeners as the word
"niquer" is short for "fornicate", with "nique"
the equivalent of "fuck"; Sœur Sourire was unaware of the
connotation, as were the other Nuns.
The
English-Version Lyrics of the song were written by Noël Regney. In addition to
French and English, Sœur Sourire recorded versions in Dutch, German, Hebrew,
Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese. It was a top selling record in 11 countries
in late 1963 and early 1964.
“Dominique”
was also a nominee for Grammy Award for Record of the Year, and Sœur Sourire
was a Nominee for Best Female Vocal Performance.
Sœur
Sourire found it difficult, however, having to live up to her publicity as
"a true girl scout," always happy and in a good mood.
Pulled
between two worlds (the Religious and the Musical) and increasingly in
disagreement with the Catholic Church, she left her Convent in 1966 and
returned to being called Jeanne-Paule Deckers as her Record Company refused to
let her continue on as Sœur Sourire.
After
her Music Career ended she went on to teach Disabled Children in Wavre,
Belgium.
In
the 1970s the Belgian Finance Department said she owed $63,000 Dollars
($493,000 in today’s Dollars.)
She
countered that her Former Convent and the Philips Recording Studio received all
her money as Sœur Sourire. She also reconnected with a Childhood Friend, Annie
Pécher, and it is believed they became lovers. Deckers was forced to pay the
whole amount herself.
Her
School for the Disabled was forced to close in 1982 due to Financial Problems.
In
their suicide note, they wrote that they had not given up their faith and
wished to be buried together with the Funeral Rite of the Catholic Church.
A
1966 American Movie loosely based on Deckers/ Sœur Sourire called “The Singing
Nun” was made staring Debbie Reynolds as The Singing Nun and with Ricardo
Montalbán, Greer Garson, Agnes Moorehead, Chad Everett and Ed Sullivan.
In 2009 a French-Belgian Movie Biopic called “Sœur Sourire” starring Belgian actress Cécile de France as Deckers, was released.
Sœur Sourire singing “Dominique” in French with English Subtitles:
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