Martin Scorsese Expelled from Catholic Seminary for Misconduct

Martin Scorsese shared in the new documentary series, “Mr. Scorsese,” that he was kicked out of a Catholic preparatory seminary as a teenager for his behavior. The series premiered at the New York Film Festival on October 4th, shedding light on Scorsese’s lifelong interest in Catholicism. Scorsese recalls being deeply impacted by attending Catholic mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City at a young age and pursuing religious education into his teenage years.

During the series, Scorsese reflects on his time at the preparatory seminary and shared, “I did okay for the first few months, but something happened.” He mentions that he began to realize the changing world around him, with the emergence of early rock and roll and feelings of attraction towards girls. This realization led him to understand that the priesthood was not his calling, and he eventually left the seminary after being told to leave due to his behavior.

Though he did not follow through with becoming a priest, Scorsese’s interest in religion persisted throughout his life and film career. He has directed movies that explore Catholicism, such as “The Last Temptation of Christ” and “Silence.” The series also delves into the influence of a Catholic priest named Francis Principe, who inspired Scorsese to pursue education and leave his childhood neighborhood.

Scorsese’s relationship with his faith is a central theme in “Mr. Scorsese,” which features interviews with collaborators, family members, and friends. After premiering at the New York Film Festival, the series is set to stream on Apple TV+ starting October 17th.