The Pilgrim Soul Sofia, Adrianna, and Giuliana

#53: Realism: The Religious Sense

In this episode, Giuli, Adrianna, and Sofi talk about “realism,” a concept from Luigi Giussani’s book The Religious Sense. We are joined by a special guest, Sofi and Giuli’s father Paolo! If you’re following along with the text, we’re on Chapter 1. //

Our media recommendation is the film The Truman Show. And the monthly challenge is to ask yourself why you live the vocation you live. If you are married, why do you stay with your spouse? If you are consecrated, why do you give your life completely to God? For everyone, why do you try to follow Christ? Why do you go to work? Why do you belong to your communities? //

Other resources we mention:
- David Ramirez’s song “The Bad Days”
- Julian of Norwich’s revelations or “Showings” //

Our theme music is Nich Lampson’s “Dolphin Kicks.” We are part of the Spoke Street media network: check it out at www.spokestreet.com.

We are starting a new miniseries inspired by "The Religious Sense," a book by our spiritual father Don Luigi Giussani. In our next few episodes, we will be discussing Chapters 1, 2, and 3. If you'd like to read with us, you can find a PDF at www.scritti.luigigiussani.org (just make a free account!). Or if you prefer to listen, check out Fr. Mike's recordings here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-go-walk-and-listen/id1702088561?i=1000624264131.

In today’s episode Adrianna, Giuliana and Sofia consider simplicity. What is the simple truth of the Christian life? How can we discover every circumstance as a good for us? Where are we experiencing new life through cultivating simplicity of heart? //

Our media recommendation is a page from Julian of Norwich’s Showings: the 10th revelation of the 24th chapter, which you can find here https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Revelations_of_Divine_Love/Chapter_24. In the spirit of accepting the gratuity of salvation, this episode doesn’t have a monthly challenge. //

Other resources we mention:
- The Life of Saint Catherine of Siena by Raymond of Capua
- Luigi Giussani’s address in St. Peter’s Square in 1998: www.english.clonline.org/archive/fr-giussani/in-the-simplicity-of-my-heart-i-have-gladly-given-you-everything
- T.S. Eliot’s poem The Four Quartets
- "The Beauty Within", an interview series with Trappistine nuns www.podcasts.apple.com/tt/podcast/beauty-within/id1573992790
- The Silence of Mary by Fr. Ignacio Larranaga
- “In the Beginning”, a book of homilies by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger
Bishop Varden’s reflections on St. Anthony from this interview: www.catholicworldreport.com/2024/02/15/the-one-thing-worth-fearing-is-separation-from-him-who-is-a-conversation-with-bishop-varden/ //

Our theme music is Nich Lampson’s “Dolphin Kicks.” We are part of the Spoke Street media network: check it out at www.spokestreet.com.

This episode concludes a three-part mini-series in which we put some of you, our listeners, behind the mic. The episode was inspired by our gratitude for the rich friendship and Christian witness that the podcast has brought into our lives. Today’s guest is Kathryn Sheffield, a mother and lawyer based in Virginia. Kathryn shares about her conversion to the Catholic faith and the path of mission that she has walked since, in response to the Lord’s invitation to care for vulnerable children. //

Other resources we mention:
The USCCB Domestic Policy Office www.usccb.org
Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, paragraph 180
The Saint Joseph Ministry www.txcatholic.org/stjosephministry/ //

Our theme music is Nich Lampson’s “Dolphin Kicks.” We are part of the Spoke Street media network: check it out at www.spokestreet.com.

This episode continues a three-part mini-series in which we put some of you, our listeners, behind the mic. The episode was inspired by our gratitude for the rich friendship and Christian witness that the podcast has brought into our lives. Today’s guest is Jessica Laenger, a medical student in Pensacola, Florida. Jess tells us about the early experiences that awakened the ultimate questions in her heart, where she has sought and found answers in the years since, and what her desires are for the future. //

Jess offered (multiple!) songs as the media recommendations for this episode. Here are the links to each on YouTube:
O Salutaris Hostia, Erik Esevalds: www.youtube.com/watch?v=blUTC7zzzRI
The Ascension, Phil Wickham: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsp_sOmG-2A
Hope, Tom Rosenthal: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaUx7X7iU6A
A Little Bit of Everything, Dawes (recently covered by Lizzie McAlpine) www.youtube.com/watch?v=vin0U-ej1L8
You Could Start a Cult, Niall Horan and Lizzie McAlpine: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXy335X5xKs //

Other resources we mention:
Communion and Liberation’s “Beginning Day” www.english.clonline.org/cl/t218/life-in-the-movement
Graham Greene’s novel “The End of the Affair” //

Our theme music is Nich Lampson’s “Dolphin Kicks.” We are part of the Spoke Street media network: check it out at www.spokestreet.com.

Giuli and Sofi are hosting the first-ever Pilgrim Soul gathering on February 18th from 1-2:30 PM. You can find us at the Old Town Bar at 45 East 18th St. New York, NY. We're going to be in town for the New York Encounter, a three-day cultural event. Check out the program here: www.newyorkencounter.org/2024-program. And come listen to Giuli's panel at 4:15 PM!