Martin Scorsese Reveals Reason He Struggled As Young Altar Boy And It’s Quite Funny

by

As an ardent admirer and student of Martin Scorsese‘s illustrious career, I find his recent revelations about his childhood as an altar boy at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral deeply intriguing. Growing up in New York City during the 1940s and ’50s, the maestro himself wasn’t always the most punctual, a trait that earned him a stern reprimand from the priest. Yet, it was this very tardiness that led to his captivation with the statues of saints adorning the church, figures celebrated for their holy lives and miracles.

Renowned director Martin Scorsese, best known for films such as The Last Temptation of Christ and Mean Streets, has shared insights into his past as an altar boy at the church during his youth.

Prior to the debut of his latest series titled Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker humorously revealed the reason he’s not the ideal choice for the role himself.

As a child during the 1940s and 50s in New York City, Scorsese had a brief stint providing service at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral – a church where his family would often worship. Unfortunately, he wasn’t known for being punctual.

Admittedly, I struggled with it, and punctuality was never my strong suit – I’d often arrive late for the 7:00 Mass. In fact, the priest had to tell me, “You can’t continue like this.” Nevertheless, Scorsese persevered in the role for a few years despite his habitual tardiness.

Even though Scorsese might not have shone as an altar server, his experiences at church made a deep and lasting impression on him. He spoke about the deeply moving experience of participating in the High Mass ceremonies, describing it as “incredible to be part of such proceedings.

Scorsese found the statues of saints in the church incredibly fascinating as a child. These figures, revered for their virtuous lives and miraculous deeds, held a magical allure for him. He remembered being spellbound by them. His curiosity was piqued to learn more about these individuals. He wondered why they were regarded as something extraordinary, bestowed with sainthood.

In the movie maker’s own words, he detailed how his sense of wonder influenced his perspectives on religion and humankind. He admitted to pondering over whether saints might be something beyond ordinary people, an idea that had intrigued him ever since his youth.

Scorsese’s most recent endeavor, “Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints,” was sparked by a longstanding passion. This faith-based series is available for streaming on Fox Nation and provides a documentary-style exploration into the lives of eight notable saints such as Mary Magdalene, Joan of Arc, Francis of Assisi, and Maximilian Kolbe.

In a conversation with The New York Times, Scorsese highlighted the significance of the series. He expressed that in today’s world, it is beneficial to have models who lived their lives guided by empathy and affection. He stated that some were martyrs, giving up their lives for it. Some of the eight figures chosen in the series touch on legend, but the legends are based on one or two real events.

Martin Scorsese’s production, titled “The Saints,” began airing its first four installments on November 17th. Further episodes are scheduled for release in 2025. This series seeks to make the tales of these saints relevant to contemporary viewers by combining historical details with thoughtful spiritual contemplations.

Read More

2024-11-18 09:25