Blessed Are the Considerate?
New book shows how to deepen faith, win souls through the power of manners
SAN DIEGO: What does the world need now? Love, sure; but maybe we could start smaller. What if we all just tried to rediscover the long-lost art of not being jerks to each other?
A new book from Catholic Answers Press argues that such a renewed focus on the virtue of courtesy is not just an admirable way to make the world a better place—it is an indispensable part of the Christian life, and especially of the Christian call to make disciples of all nations.
In The Apostolate of Courtesy, author and teacher Robert Greving argues for the centrality of courtesy in Christian discipleship. Its more than “being nice”—it’s a comprehensive approach to how we bear ourselves toward others, in imitation of Our Lord. Drawing on the writings of St. Francis de Sales, that master evangelist, apologist, and champion of courtesy, Greving presents a theology of manners for the twenty-first century.
With examples and counsels that are as practical as they are rooted in solid faith, he reminds us how our behavior can be as much of a gospel to others as our proclamations or good works. And so we should be as attentive to it as we are to our faith and morals: cultivating courteous habits as an admirable component of our witness to the world.
“Having the fullness of the truth doesn’t give us permission to be rude,” says Todd Aglialoro, director of publishing for Catholic Answers. “And all our smart arguments and pious acts won’t lead others to the Faith if our manners don’t reflect basic kindness and consideration. In this age plagued by human isolation and by rampant anonymous nastiness on our screens, a little thing like courtesy might just save the world.”
About the Author:
Robert Greving is a high school teacher and writer.