By Sue Denny • Posted June 2, 2026

When Bridie Power attends daily Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Glen Mills, she knows Andrew Santoleri will be on the altar each and every day.

Santoleri, 31, of Glen Mills, has been an altar server for 20 years. He serves at Mass seven days a week-—sometimes twice a day when there is a wedding, funeral, or other special liturgy.

“I look at him, and I know we have a saint in our midst,” said Power of Glen Mills. “This is someone I know has never offended God.”

Power smiles at Santoleri every time she sees him in church. “He just gives me a big grin.”

Santoleri has Down syndrome. At 10 years old, he became an altar server at the suggestion of a former parochial vicar at St. Thomas.

Santoleri beams with joy as he carries out his tasks, Power said. “He’s so happy doing what he does,” she said. “He’s so well trained. He knows exactly what to do.”

Andrew doesn’t just serve Mass, said his mother Teresa, who usually accompanies him to church. He’s a “fervent server of Mass.” One parishioner often tells her, “Andrew just makes Mass better.”

Santoleri was one of four local Catholics awarded the St. Joseph the Worker Medal at Malvern House on April 30. The medal is given to individuals whose lives reflect outstanding faith, service, and commitment to the Church and society.

Four generations of the Santoleri family have participated in Malvern retreats; his father is head of the Blaise Group. Andrew has attended retreats for 15 years and naturally, he serves at retreat Masses.

“He is the single most spiritual person I know,” said Michael Norton, retreat house president. “This young man is nothing but love.”

A Family’s Greatest Blessing

Teresa Santoleri and her husband Dave are grateful that Malvern chose to honor their son for his contributions to the Catholic community, and to recognize his prayerfulness, reverence, and simple but powerful love for Jesus and the Blessed Mother.

“The Beatitudes tell us, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God,’ and ‘Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth,’” his mother said. “God often takes the least and uses them in a powerful way. That is how we feel about Andrew.”

The Santoleris have four sons and a daughter, ages 28 to 38; Andrew is their fourth child. They saw God working through him from a very young age.

“He is our greatest blessing,” his mother said. “Our family felt that from the very day he was born.”

Santoleri is one of 40 altar servers at St. Thomas Church. Oblate Father Stephen Shott, the pastor, noted Andrew’s great devotion to the Holy Eucharist and to the Blessed Mother. “He is a gentle man who loves to serve his God in many ways.”

For three years, Andrew and his father have led a weekly men’s Gospel reflection at 6:30 a.m. Thursdays at St. Cornelius Church, Glen Mills. Then he serves at 7:30 a.m. Mass.

Parishioners who have observed the young man over the years often comment on his deep piety. He inspires them to lead more spiritual, faith-filled lives.

“Prayer Warrior” for the Deceased

Santoleri’s greatest gift, Father Shott said, is the way he intercedes on behalf of those who have lost loved ones. “He makes it his ministry to pray for the person who has died and the family as well.”

His dedication to the deceased is remarkable, his mother said. He has a binder full of hundreds of holy cards that he’s collected over the years, and he prays daily for each person.

His family lovingly calls him their “prayer warrior.”

“I don’t know if he would get the humility award,” his mother joked. “He often tells us, ‘I’m the best prayer warrior.’”

Santoleri’s bedroom is a sacred space with a prayer kneeler and walls decorated with images of his favorite saints and the Blessed Mother. He has a regimented prayer life and each day, without fail, prays the rosary, the Divine Mercy chaplet, and a litany of the saints. Created by his maternal grandmother, the personalized litany includes the names of 45 or so family members.

Besides praying, he spends much of his time listening to praise and worship music and watching Disney movies. “Those are his passions,” his mother said. “Disney movies and Jesus.”

Santoleri has also won numerous gold medals as a Special Olympics powerlifter; his nickname is Mighty Mouse. He embodies the “Spirit of Special Olympics”— skill, courage, sharing, and joy, Dave Santoleri said.

Andrew displays the same dedication and discipline to his athletic training that he does in his prayer life: fully present and committed.

His mother is amazed at how many people recognize Andrew when they are out in the community. “I don’t think we will know until heaven all the lives he has changed through his prayer and example.”