Martin Scorsese, priest of the silver screen

Martin Scorsese, Priest of the Silver Screen

From a young age, Martin Scorsese aspired to become a priest. To him, the priesthood was even more honorable than the presidency of the United States.

Growing Up in Little Italy

In 1953, 11-year-old Scorsese lived in a small apartment in New York City's Little Italy with his parents and older brother. His uncle lived in the same building, and his grandparents were nearby. Outside the safety of his family, the Lower East Side was a daunting place, filled with tough men, loan sharks, and con artists who often resorted to violence.

Scorsese was largely sheltered due to severe asthma, which kept him inside. Reflecting on this time, he said,

“I lived a life apart. I felt separate from everyone else.”

Religious Roots and Education

His Catholic parents wanted him to receive a religious education and enrolled him at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral School on Mulberry Street. They encouraged him to attend, saying, “Go around the corner, go to school.” It was there he discovered his true calling.

“From his bedroom window, Scorsese observed the world below, committing every detail to memory.”

Though he originally dreamed of the priesthood, Scorsese ultimately expressed his faith more profoundly through filmmaking rather than the pulpit.

Author's summary: Martin Scorsese's early desire to become a priest reflected his deep faith, which he later channeled creatively into his powerful career as a filmmaker.

New Statesman — 2025-11-05