Scorsese Reflects on Teenage Pursuit of Priesthood Before Filmmaking

In the recently premiered Apple TV+ docuseries "Mr. Scorsese," acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese delves into his little-known religious background. The series reveals that Scorsese, now 83 years old, once seriously considered a career in the priesthood during his teenage years.

Scorsese recounts being profoundly moved by his first experience attending Catholic mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City around the age of 7. This led him to pursue an education at a seminary in his adolescence. However, Scorsese's time at the seminary was short-lived, as he was ultimately "kicked out" for "behaving badly."

According to Scorsese, the changing world around him, including the rise of early rock 'n' roll, made him realize that the priesthood was not his true calling. "I began to realize the world is changing. It was early rock 'n' 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," he shared.

One of Scorsese's childhood friends also noted that the director had a "heavy eye for the ladies" during his teenage years, further suggesting that his interests lay outside the confines of the priesthood. Ultimately, Scorsese's pursuit of filmmaking would go on to redefine the industry, making him one of the most acclaimed directors of all time.