Real Living

Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek continue discussing Cardinal Cantalamessa’s Sober Intoxication of the Spirit, focusing on the requirements to receive and operate in the Holy Spirit. After previously addressing personal holiness, they emphasize humility as surrendering control to God, drawing on Revelation 2:7, Ash Wednesday’s “to dust,” and C.S. Lewis’ definition of humility as thinking less...

Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek continue discussing Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa’s book "Sober Intoxication of the Spirit: Filled With the Fullness of God," highlighting his Vatican influence and emphasis on the real, powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in daily life. They revisit three requirements for cooperating with grace: personal holiness, humility, and living Christianity in communit...

Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemacheck continue discussing Raniero Cantalamessa’s book The Sober Intoxication of the Spirit: Filled with the Fullness of God, emphasizing a Spirit-filled Catholic life marked by humility, joy, prayer, and service rather than “hysteria.” They describe praying in the Holy Spirit for the sick, the reality of healing (including “ultimate healing” in death), and how sain...

fter a hiatus, Real Living returns to discuss Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa’s book The Sober Intoxication of the Spirit, which inspired a Lexington, Kentucky Pentecost novena program at the Cathedral of Christ the King called Nine Days of Power. The hosts explain the original Pentecost novena, emphasize that the Holy Spirit comes whenever welcomed, and highlight the book’s theme—drawn from St. Amb...

In this episode of Real Living, hosts Lavenia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek delve into the complex topic of judgment and non-judgmentalism within society and Christianity. They discuss the often misconstrued statements of past popes, the balance between calling out sin and practicing love, and the scriptural guidance on making moral judgments. The conversation also touches on the cultural shift tow...

In this episode of Real Living, Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek delve into the historical, pagan, and modern secular aspects of Halloween. They discuss the Protestant skepticism around the holiday, its Celtic roots, and the Catholic traditions surrounding All Hallows' Eve, All Saints, and All Souls' Day. The episode also touches on the evolution of Halloween customs, from ancient practices to...

In this episode of Real Living, hosts Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek  dive into the history and significance of Halloween by examining it from three perspectives: Christian, Pagan, and secular. They discuss Halloween's origins, from its roots in the Christian tradition as All Hallows' Eve to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The hosts also touch on modern secular traditions and compare...

In this episode of Real Living, hosts Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek delve into the fascinating world of angels and archangels. They share lesser-known facts and stories about St. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, exploring their roles in religious texts and their divine interventions. The conversation touches on the theological perspectives about the nature of angels, including insights from V...

In this episode, Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek delve into the significance of angels and archangels in Christian tradition. Celebrating the Feast of the Archangels, they discuss the roles and meanings of the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, and share insights from scriptures and personal experiences with guardian angels. The conversation covers the historical and theological contex...

In this episode of Real Living, hosts Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek continue their discussion about the recent Encounter Ministries Conference held in Toledo, Ohio in 2025. With over 4,000 attendees, the conference emphasized encounters with Jesus Christ through the sacrament of the Holy Spirit. They discuss key takeaways from talks by Mary Healy on the baptism of the Holy Spirit and Randy...

In this episode of Real Living, Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek discuss Mary Lou's experiences at the Encounter Ministries Conference held in Toledo, Ohio. The central theme focuses on yielding to the gifts of the Holy Spirit to enter the supernatural dimension of faith, a topic punctuated by various speakers like Mary Healey. Mary Healey emphasizes the importance of the baptism of the Holy S...

In this episode of Real Living, Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek explore the concept of spiritual sloth, its consequences, and its contrast with viewing faith as an adventurous journey. They delve into how sloth, considered one of the seven deadly sins, leads to a lack of spiritual fervor and complacency. The discussion highlights the importance of perceiving and living faith as an exciting ad...

In this episode of Real Living, hosts Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek discuss the dangers of lukewarmness in faith, inspired by an article from Simply Catholic. The episode delves into the spiritual hazards of indifference and compares it to silent killers like hypertension. They reference the Book of Revelation and the Church of Laodicea to illustrate the grave consequences of lukewarm faith...

In this episode of Real Living, Lavina Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek discuss the universal call to Holiness and its relevance in everyday life. They address common misconceptions, emphasize the necessity of God's grace, the importance of human cooperation, and the role of suffering in spiritual growth. The episode highlights practical steps for cultivating Holiness, including maintaining a prayerfu...

In this episode of 'Real Living,' Lavina Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek delve into the often misunderstood concept of Holiness in the Catholic faith. They explore how the Second Vatican Council's document, Lumen Gentium, emphasizes the universal call to Holiness, making it clear that Holiness is not just for clergy or religious figures, but for everyone. The discussion touches on the principles of H...

In this episode, Lavina Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek delve into the significance of living in the power of the Holy Spirit. They discuss the reasons why being alive in the Holy Spirit is essential, especially in a world plagued by confusion and conflict. The conversation touches on signs of the Holy Spirit in one’s life, including an inner call to love, forgive, and serve others. They address the...

In this episode of Real Living, Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek delve into the significance of the Holy Spirit in the Christian faith, particularly highlighting the themes of Pentecost. They discuss the role of the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Trinity, a source of power and love binding the Father and the Son, and how the Holy Spirit should be a living part of every Christian's life...

In this episode, Levinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek dive into the legacy and impact of the newly appointed Pope Leo the 14th, drawing connections to his predecessor, Leo the 13th. They explore his roots in the Augustinian Order, a mendicant order that champions the service of the poor and suffering. Spirito provides an extensive historical background on the Rule of St. Augustine and its influenc...

In this episode of Real Living, hosts Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek discuss the newly elected Pope Leo the 14th, including his unexpected American heritage and the significance of his chosen name. They draw parallels to Pope Leo the 13th, who addressed modernism and industrial challenges in the 20th century while devoting the century to the Holy Spirit. The conversation covers the historica...

This episode delves into significant periods of Church reform, key historical events, and influential figures that shaped the spiritual and administrative framework of the Church. It begins with the conversion of Scandinavia in the 11th century and the reform efforts of St. Leo IX in 1049 to combat church corruption. It discusses the urban legend of Pope Joan as a narrative used to undermine papal...

This episode takes listeners on an expansive journey from 250 AD to the gates of the Renaissance in 1512, covering significant events and themes in early Christian history. Lavinia Spirito starts with the persecution of Christians, highlighting their veneration of martyrs and early burial sites, such as the necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica. The script discusses various heresies, including Ari...

This episode dives deep into the history of the Catholic Church, emphasizing the importance of understanding its roots to better grasp its present and future. Lavinia Spirito discusses the misconceptions about the church, their personal revelation about its importance, and how historical and theological perspectives help illuminate its development. Key topics include the initial misunderstandings...

In this episode of Real Living, Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek provide insights and reflections on the intricacies of the Conclave, the process by which a new Pope is elected. They discuss the recent events following the death of Pope Francis, historical Conclave practices, personal anecdotes from past Conclaves, and the details of how the Sistine Chapel is prepared for this significant even...

In this episode of Real Living, Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek delve into the significance of the Lord's Prayer, also known as the 'Our Father.' They explore its comprehensive nature, given by Jesus himself, addressing every human need and fostering a deeper relationship with God. The conversation includes insights from Pope Benedict XVI, discussions on forgiveness and justice, the virtues o...

In this episode of Real Living, hosts Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek discuss the timely topic of what procedures follow after a Pope dies, coinciding with the recent passing of Pope Francis. They explore traditional and modern rituals, including the verification of death, destruction of the Pope's ring, sealing of his apartments, and notification procedures. The episode delves into historica...