Martin Scorsese, known for his films rich with religious symbolism, once considered entering the priesthood. This lesser-known chapter of his life reveals a young Scorsese deeply influenced by Catholicism, sparked when he attended his first mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City at age seven. His religious upbringing initially led him to pursue a seminary education.
The Struggle Between Faith and Growing Awareness
The director’s journey at a preparatory seminary on 85th Street began promisingly but was short-lived. Scorsese recalls,
“There was a preparatory seminary, and that was on 85th Street somewhere. I did okay for the first few months, but something happened.”
His growing curiosity about the changing world pulled him away from the strict religious path.
He explains,
“I began to realize the world is changing. It was early rock and roll and the old world was dying out. I became aware of life around me. Falling in love or being attracted to girls, not that you’re acting out on it, but there were these feelings, and I suddenly realized it’s much more complicated than this. You can’t shut yourself off.”
This awakening to new experiences and emotions defined his break from the seminary life.
Leaving the Seminary: A Conflict with Expectations
Ultimately, Scorsese understood that the priesthood was not his calling. Reflecting on this, he says,
“The idea of priesthood, to devote yourself to others, really, that’s what it’s about. I realized I don’t belong there. And I tried to stay, but they got my father in there, and they told him, ‘Get him out of here.’ Because I behaved badly.”
Although the specific reasons for his dismissal remain unstated, his later films suggest a fascination with themes far from traditional religious discipline.
From Seminary to Silver Screen
After leaving the seminary, Scorsese pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from New York University’s Washington Square College and a Master’s degree from its School of Education. His filmmaking career took off with his 1967 directorial debut, Who’s That Knocking at My Door, marking the beginning of a near six-decade journey creating some of cinema’s most influential movies.
Scorsese’s filmography includes iconic titles such as Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Casino, Gangs of New York, and The Irishman. His work has earned him ten Academy Award nominations for Best Director, with a win for 2006’s The Departed.
Documentary Series Reveals Scorsese’s Past
The new docuseries Mr. Scorsese, directed by Rebecca Miller, premiered on October 4 at the New York Film Festival and will be released on Apple TV+ on October 17. The five-episode series offers an intimate look at Scorsese’s life, featuring interviews with the filmmaker himself alongside his family, close friends, and creative collaborators, including Robert De Niro, Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger, and many others.
This documentary provides a unique glimpse into the personal experiences that shaped Martin Scorsese’s worldview and, ultimately, his extraordinary career, illustrating how his early religious considerations evolved into a lifelong exploration of complex human conditions on screen.
