Shark Week

DISCOVERY This year’s 30th annual festival of shark-themed shows features 13 programs, varying between educational and entertaining.

 

St. Bridget of Sweden

EWTN This two-part EWTN docudrama bios St. Bridget (or Birgitta, 1303-1373), a wife, mother, mystic and foundress. Part 1 re-airs 2pm Friday.

 

10 Modern Marvels That Changed America

PBS This documentary about the inventive minds behind engineering feats covers projects from the Erie Canal (1825) on to the Transcontinental Railroad (1869) and the Hoover Dam (1936) and up to the New Orleans Risk Reduction System (2005).

 

The Way of St. James

EWTN At 4:30pm, El Camino: The Way of St. James spotlights young men who explain why they decided to go on pilgrimage. At 10pm, in Discovering James: Saint of the Way, Community of St. John Father Nathan Cromly guides members of his Eagle Eye Ministry to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Re-airs 10am Thursday.

 

Andrea Bocelli: Landmarks Live in Concert

PBS The sightless tenor Andrea Bocelli is pro-life; his mother, Edi, defied doctors who told her to abort him. In this 2017 special, he performs at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy, and viewers tour spots including the Duomo Cathedral.

 

Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings: Elves, Hobbits and Men

EWTN Author Joseph Pearce, an expert on Catholic novelist J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973), identifies perceived Catholic themes in Tolkien’s beloved fantasy trilogy.

 

Tour de France Finale

NBC SPORTS NETWORK The 21st and final stage of this 105th version of Le Tour concludes on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Re-airs in the evening.

 

To God Who Giveth Joy to My Youth: Life at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary, Denton, Nebraska

EWTN The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter offers Mass, the Divine Office and the sacraments “according to the Latin liturgical books of 1962.” In this show, FSSP seminarians describe their daily lives.

 

Web of Faith 2.0

EWTN In this episode, “Confession Is Good for the Soul,” Fathers John Trigilio and Ken Brighenti offer guidelines on confession. Re-airs 11pm Saturday. Advisory: TV-PG.

 

Saint John Vianney: Heart of the Priesthood

EWTN Bishop Mark Davies of the Diocese of Shrewsbury in England extols the Curé d’Ars, St. John Vianney (1786-1859), the patron saint of priests whose feast day is Aug. 4.

Dan Engler writes from
Santa Barbara, California.