D.A. Chadwick - The Singing Nun Story: The Life and Death of Soeur Sourire

This work is the result of years of research and the help of many people . A ll books are the end result of multiple efforts. I must first thank Florence Delaporte for her insight and tutoring in French translation , and for opening the door into the life of Jeannine Deckers .

I also recognize the contributions of Mary Donnelly, a research librarian with impeccable skills for both procuring and archiving materials. Thanks also must go to, Alain Clossen, Jeannine Mudd, Madeleine Brenger (MBS), members of the BBC, and the many newspapers and magazines that were kind enough to cover my efforts these past years.

Finally, I recognize the contributions of The Very Right Reverend Jeanetta Juda Liamons and Patricia H. Johnson for their invaluable insight into religious life in monastic orders and the ordeal that awaits those leaving the convents. I must also thank those who did not want to be singled out or named for their stories about life at Fichermont and other convents throughout the world. Jozefa is one such person. The willingness to share those experiences enables us to understand fully the ordeal of those leaving the religious life.

I also extend thanks to Jeannine Mud of the Laatste Nieuws for sending all of the journal excerpts the newspaper published in 2002 without charge. This allowed me to read many of the same words as past biographers . Of course, I did not have the benefit of reading the originals, which Ms. Delaporte indicate d were often confusing, misspelled and difficult to follow.

This sort of documentation of a historical figure, ( and The Singing Nun is a historical figure) , is crucial to understanding human beings and their response to their environments. It was Jeannines desire that access to her journals be provided to the general public and th at wish has not been fulfilled.

When I first published this story I did not have access to the original journals and letters of Jeannine Deckers, but thanks to a source that wishes to remain anonymous , I was provided access to m any of them. Reading the personal documents has allowed a greater understanding of Jeannine Deckers and her deteriorating mental state .

D.A. Chadwick

July 2010

April 24, 2021-I wish to thank Charles-Antoine de Rouvre, who is a F rench documentary director , for including me in his film . He was commissioned by the European Cultural TV channel ARTE to direct a 52 minutes documentary on Jeannine Deckers by Zeta Productions . I also wish to thank his very professional cameraman, Aaron Chervenak for making my interview at home very pleasant during the time of Covid-19 with its many influences on our society.

The documentary is scheduled to air summer 2021.

D.A. Chadwick