I'm in the Houston Area.

I'm not sure, but it looks like from your posting this is still part of a larger program.
When I am faced with this kind of issue, I go back to square 1.
Create a new program with only the absolute minimum in it.

MCU Config Fuses
Only the VARS needed for this operation (Reading the MRF registers and printing out to the Debug serial port).
TRIS, ADCON, etc for only the pins for the above operation.
Disable the PIC modules correctly.
Aliases only for the SPI pins and the debug pins.
NO Interrupt handling at all. If you are using DT Interrupts, don't do it now.

Do not try to write to the MRF Config registers, only try to read from them after POR + 10ms minimum.

I mean BASIC functionality only.
No ADC, No Interrupts, no nothing.

You are having a fundamental issue just trying to read from the device.

Do you have a logic probe or OScope?
If so, monitor the CSCON line and make sure it is going low as it should.
Monitor the SCK and SDI (on the MRF) to make sure it is being pulsed by the PIC.

Also, and I am not trying to insult you, but how about your wiring between the PIC and MRF for the SPI interface?
PIC MRF Module
MRFReset (PORTA.1) ----- RESET (Pin 2) for MRF89xAM9A (Leave this disconnected for these tests)
MRFConfigSel (PORTA.5) ----- CSCON (Pin 3) for MRF89XAM9A
MRFDataSel (PORTA.4) ----- CSDATA (Pin 8) for MRF89XAM9A (Should be High for all of these tests)
SCLK (PORTx.y) ----- SCK (Pin 6) for MRF89XAM9A
SDO (PORTx.y) ----- SDI (Pin 5) for MRF89XAM9A
SDI (PORTx.y) ----- SDO (Pin 7) for MRF89XAM9A

I didn't see your aliases for SCLK, SDO and SDI.

I know all this probably sounds elementary, but that is what I would do.