Martin Scorsese, Priest of the Silver Screen
As a child, Martin Scorsese dreamt of becoming a priest, valuing that role even above the presidency of the United States. Born and raised in New York City's Little Italy, he lived in a small apartment with his family amidst a tough neighborhood.
Early Life in Little Italy
In 1953, 11-year-old Scorsese experienced life surrounded by his parents, older brother, uncle, and grandparents all within close proximity. Outside their close-knit family, the streets of the Lower East Side were filled with danger—gangsters, loan sharks, and thieves inhabited the corners, exchanging jokes or violence when tensions rose.
Health and Isolation
Due to severe asthma diagnosed by doctors, Scorsese was mostly confined indoors. Reflecting later, he said,
“I lived a life apart. I felt separate from everyone else.”
From his bedroom window, he observed the lively street scenes below, absorbing every detail. His parents, devout Catholics from their homeland, insisted he receive a religious education, enrolling him at St Patrick’s Old Cathedral on Mulberry Street.
Finding His Calling
Following his parents’ guidance, Scorsese attended the nearby Catholic school. It was there he discovered his true path, not in the pulpit but behind a camera, channeling his faith and life experiences into his films.
“Go around the corner, go to school,” they told him. So he went, and found what he wanted to do in life.
Author's summary: Martin Scorsese’s early desire to serve as a priest shaped his outlook, but he ultimately expressed his spirituality through filmmaking, influenced deeply by his upbringing in Little Italy and his faith.