The Singing Nun The Singing Nun (Soeur Sourire), born Jeanne-Paule Marie Deckers on October 17, 1933, in Laeken, Belgium, was a Belgian Dominican nun and singer-songwriter whose 1963 global No. 1 hit “Dominique” made her an international sensation.
Entering the convent as Sister Luc Gabriel in 1959, she wrote and recorded “Dominique” (about St. Dominic) as a lighthearted folk-guitar tribute to her order. Released by Philips, the cheerful tune—with its simple melody and “Dominique-nique-nique” chorus—topped charts in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and elsewhere, selling millions and winning a Grammy for Best Gospel or Other Religious Recording.
It was the only Belgian song to reach No. 1 in the U.S. until then. She appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show but struggled with fame’s pressures, which clashed with her vows. Deckers left the convent in 1967, pursued secular music (with mixed success), and became an advocate for progressive causes. Facing financial and personal hardships, she died by suicide (with companion Anna Pecher) on March 29, 1985, at age 51 in Wavre, Belgium. As of 2026, her legacy endures through reissues of “Dominique,” biographical discussions, and cultural references (e.g., in films like Mermaids).
The Singing Nun remains a poignant symbol of 1960s innocent pop intersecting with religious life and personal tragedy