Martin Scorsese: Priest of the Silver Screen
From a young age, Martin Scorsese dreamed of becoming a priest. For him, this path seemed even more meaningful than becoming President of the United States.
Early Life in Little Italy
In 1953, 11-year-old Scorsese lived with his family in a small apartment in New York City's Little Italy. His uncle lived in the same building, and his grandparents were nearby. Despite the close-knit family environment, the outside world was intimidating.
The streets of the Lower East Side were dangerous, filled with tough characters like loan sharks and swindlers. They loitered on corners, sharing jokes and stories, but could quickly become violent when tensions rose.
A Life Isolated by Illness
Scorsese rarely ventured outside due to severe asthma diagnosed by his doctor. Reflecting on this period, he said,
“I lived a life apart. I felt separate from everyone else.”
From his bedroom window, he observed the world below, memorizing everything he saw.
Religious Education and Calling
Scorsese's Catholic parents wanted him to have a religious upbringing, sending him to St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral school on Mulberry Street. They encouraged him to attend regularly, which helped him discover his true calling in life.
“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 religious ambitions and challenging upbringing in Little Italy deeply shaped his unique vision, making him a cinematic storyteller with profound faith.