Born on July 3, 1942 in Woodbury to Dominic and Alvina Apostoli, Father Andrew entered the Capuchin Friars in 1959 at the age of 17. In 1963, he professed perpetual vows, and on March 19, 1967, was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

Twenty years later, in 1987, Father Andrew Apostoli and Father Benedict Groeschel(his close friend) with 6 other Capuchin Franciscan Friars founded the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, a reform community based in the South Bronx, New York. Father Andrew’s friendship with Father Benedict was one based on Living the Gospel in which Fr. Andrew would happily help Fr. Benedict in every way he could, no matter how big or little the task. In 1988, Father Andrew Apostoli became the spiritual father and founder of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, whose mission of serving the poor and spreading the Gospel is similar to that of the Friars.

For more than 50 years, Father Andrew served his community and the universal church in numerous capacities as a priest, including time as a teacher, spiritual director, novice master, community superior (1993-99), professor of Spiritual Theology at Saint Joseph Seminary (1985-2013), and vice postulator of the cause of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (2001-17).

He was the spiritual father of the Blue Army Shrine in Washington, N.J.; a sought after retreat master; preacher; prolific writer; and beloved television host on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN).

Father John Paul Ouellete, C.F.R., General Servant of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal said ” Father Andrew conformed his life to Christ’s.” “As a priest, he was led by his relationship with the Holy Spirit, Our Lady and Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, and continually worked toward the renewal of the priesthood.””As a Franciscan, St. Francis was the clear inspiration for his humility, humor and his simplicity in word and deed. Father Andrew’s faithfulness and joy urge us to live the joy found in the Gospel.”

Mother Lucille Catrone, Community Servant (General Superior) of the CFR Sisters, called Father Andrew a “loving Father to us in every way and without him, our community would not be.”

Father Andrew Apostoli, 75, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, and an admired preacher and retreat master, died on Dec. 13, 2017 on the Feast of St Lucy which was Mother Lucille”s feast day.

Here are some of the books that Father Andrew Apostoli wrote:
(1) The Gift of God: The Holy Spirit
(2) The Comforter: The Spirit of Joy
(3) The Advocate: The Spirit of Truth on the Life of the Individual Christ
(4) The Paraclete: The Spirit of Truth in the Church
(5) We Believe in the Holy Spirit
(6) When God Asks fo an Undivided Heart: Choosing Celibacy in Love and Freedom
(7) Walk Humbly With Your God
(8) Fatima Today: The Urgent Marian Message of Hope
(9) Fatima and the Triumph of Mary Reflections on the Fatima Message
(10) Following Mary to Jesus: Our Lady as Mother, Teacher and Advocate
(11) What to Do When Jesus is Hungry: A Pratical Guide to the Works of Mercy
(12) Archbishop Fulton Sheen: Servant of All