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The REAL Singing Nun

posted 15 years ago by backbaybos
2 replies | jump to latest

When Jeanine Deckers aka Soeur Sourire left the convent to pursue a singing career. She was forced to sign a document stating that she wasn't allowed to use the name Soeur Sourire ever again. Jeanine, just wanting to leave the order agreed to sign. She took a new name Luc Dominique. A few years later, when her career stalled, she went back to the convent to plead with the sisters to give her the name Soeur Sourire back. The good sisters & their lawyer had her sign yet another document stating she could use her name again, IF she didn't hold the convent responsible for future or past events, costs and formalities. However, they didn't tell her that if she took the name back....she'd owe all kinds of taxes and back fees. The governement soon gave her a debt of taxes that the convent never paid. The convent took all of the royalties, but never paid taxes. Jeanine was left with the debts, fees, and penalties for monies owed.

No wonder Jeanine killed herself....she was almost destitute.

[–] WarpedRecord 12 years ago

Now that would make a much better film than this, for those who don't mind depressing subject matter. I'd love to see a documentary on Jeanine Deckers aka the Singing Nun aka Sister Luc Gabriel aka Sœur Sourire aka Luc Dominique with whatever footage exists.

Has anyone seen "Sœur Sourire" ("Sister Smile"), based on her life?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1381112/

[–] Sponiatowski 8 years ago

From Wikipedia:

Citing their financial difficulties in a note, she and Annie Pécher died by suicide by taking an overdose of barbiturates and alcohol on 29 March 1985 In their suicide note, Decker and Pécher stated they had not given up their faith and wished to be buried together after a church funeral. They were buried together on 4 April 1985 in Cheremont Cemetery in Wavre, Walloon Brabant, the town where they died. The inscription on their tombstone reads "J'ai vu voler son âme/ A travers les nuages" (English: "I saw her soul fly through the clouds").

I agree that the true story of The Singing Nun would make for a better film.

I'd call it: "Valley of the Lesbian Nuns Speak Out".

It is very difficult to go against the Catholic Church, isn't it?

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good (wo)men to do nothing.E. Burke