A review of the book The Virtue of Affability or Friendliness and Its Relevance in Modern Evangelization by Anne DeSantis (En Route Books and Media, 2024).
The Virtue of Affability or Friendliness and Its Relevance in Modern Evangelization offers a much-needed corrective to the polarized extremes within the Church that often overlook its rich tradition of grace-filled, joyful witness to the Faith. By grounding evangelization in the gifts of the Holy Spirit—gentleness, patience, kindness, and above all, charity—a respectful dialogue can flourish, fostering deeper friendship, mutual understanding, and genuine enrichment among individuals who might otherwise remain religious or ideological opponents. As Catholic philosopher Blaise Pascal wisely observed, Christians can sometimes “make truth itself into an idol,” but “truth apart from charity is not God, but his image; it is an idol which must in no way be loved or worshipped.” (Pensées, B 582, L 926.)
Echoing St. John Paul II’s vision for building a “civilization of love,” expressed in his reflections on the jubilee of the third millennium and his encyclical Ut Unum Sint (“that they may all be one”), this work demonstrates that true mission is neither timid nor coercive. Instead, it is firmly anchored in respect for the dignity of every human person. Pope Francis embodies this approach through his approachable smile, merciful heart, and tender spirit—an example that renews confidence in the Church and her mission. Notably, under his pontificate, the Church’s growth has surpassed the global population replacement rate.
Drawing on vivid examples throughout history—such as Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, whose simple friendships became profound channels of grace—Dr. DeSantis illustrates how everyday acts of empathy, hospitality, and sincere accompaniment cultivate authentic holiness. She also cautions that neglecting the virtue of friendliness weakens Christian witness, creating unnecessary barriers and reinforcing negative perceptions about Christians, such as hypocrisy or the oft-repeated slogan, “no hate like Christian love,” when hollow rhetoric overshadows caritas.
In an age yearning for sincerity and sacrificial love, the virtue of affability emerges as a vital antidote to the culture of despair and death. It offers a compelling and vibrant model of evangelization rooted in warmth, integrity, and genuine Christian love.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
Andrew Likoudis is a Catholic scholar working in ecclesiology, ecumenism, and liturgy. He serves as Digital Editor of Where Peter Is and holds an M.A. in Catholic Studies from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a B.S. in Communication Studies from Towson University. He is the author of To His Face: Indefectibility and the Problem of Dissent (En Route, 2026), with a foreword by Robert Fastiggi and an afterword by Emmett O’Regan, and he organized and edited Faith in Crisis (En Route, 2025), a 40-chapter volume drawing some thirty contributors—among them Cardinal Robert Sarah, Timothy O'Malley, Jimmy Akin, and Mike Aquilina—with a foreword by Rocco Buttiglione, praised in Word on Fire’s Evangelization & Culture journal as “an impressive labor of love.” His most recent editorial work includes the fiftieth-anniversary edition of Yves Congar’s Challenge to the Church: The Case of Archbishop Lefebvre (En Route, 2026), which he edited and introduced, with a foreword by Larry Chapp, and the third edition of James Likoudis’s Ending the Byzantine Greek Schism (Emmaus Road, 2026), with a foreword by Scott Hahn. In all he has authored, edited, or compiled twelve volumes on Catholic ecclesiology and the papacy, and published more than 60 articles in outlets including the National Catholic Register, Catholic Review, Philosophy Now, Where Peter Is, and Fellowship & Fairydust Magazine.
He is the grandson of Catholic apologist James Likoudis, President Emeritus of Catholics United for the Faith, and the nephew and godson of Paul Likoudis, longtime editor of The Wanderer, the oldest national Catholic weekly in the US. As founder and president of the Likoudis Legacy Foundation, which co-sponsored the 30th Orientale Lumen Conference attended by bishops of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, he directs the foundation’s ecumenical journal The Kydones Review, which carries a foreword from Archbishop Flavio Pace, the Secretary of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. He writes frequently at his Substack, Tradition & Renewal, and is a parishioner at America’s First Cathedral. He enjoys kayaking, bachata, tennis, and chess. More at andrewlikoudis.com.
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