The Apostolate of Courtesy

It seems like such a little thing, but it can make the difference between heaven and hell.

A good Christian aims to be virtuous—but what if we are not courteous? We may check the boxes for fortitude and fear of the Lord, but if we don’t keep our appointments, or spend too much time online, or can’t be bothered to answer an email, we become worse disciples and less effective at making new ones. The saying comes to mind: “I like your Christ, but I do not like your Christians.”

In The Apostolate of Courtesy, Robert Greving teaches you how to stand out in your bearing, your manners, and your day-to-day behavior, so you can be a more effective ambassador for Christ. Building on St. Francis de Sales’s masterwork, An Introduction to the Devout Life, this book brings timeless advice to a new audience in twenty-first-century terms. From the arts of conversation and dress, to the etiquette of sitting and standing—and yes, managing email, texting, and other modern tech—The Apostolate of Courtesy puts our littlest actions in their proper eternal context.

Jesus says, “He who is faithful in very little is faithful also in much.” Likewise with courtesy, as this book proves: when we learn it and practice it, we can, just by our behavior, help bring our neighbors to Christ.

"In an era of 'do what you want,' 'be yourself,' and 'avoid discomfort at all costs,' Rob Greving reminds us of a dimension of human virtue that we forget to our own diminishment: seeking to do what is fitting, thinking of others before oneself, and embracing discipline for the sake of higher goods. In short, he shows how the finely-tuned arts of courtesy serve the divine call of charity. Etiquette and excellence are neighbors. We should strive not only to be good, but also to present ourselves well and make others look good. In their own modest way, good manners help restrain the barbarism that threatens what is noble and beautiful." - Dr. Peter A. Kwasniewski