SUNDAYS, June 30, July 7, 8pm

Secrets of Three Iconic Homes

PBS These new documentaries tour English palaces. On June 30, Secrets of Henry VIII’s Palace visits Hampton Court, which became the favorite residence of King Henry VIII. On July 7, Secrets of Althorp: The Spencers stops by the estate that has been home to the Spencer family for 19 generations. (On July 14, stay tuned for another episode.)

VARIOUS, July 1-5

Faithful Witnesses

EWTN In Faith in the Heartland (five parts, July 1–5, 10:30am), Father Joseph Mary Wolfe, MFVA, visits rural Iowa, where he grew up, to bring viewers a glimpse of the faithful there. Sanctity Within Reach: Pier Giorgio Frassati (three parts, July 1-3, 1:30pm) offers a personal look at the life and spirituality of a saintly young man.

TUESDAY, July 2, 4:30pm

My Catholic Family

EWTN Thomas and his wife, Helen, teach their children, Alex and Sarah, about the heroic life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, the patron of youth. Animated.

THURSDAY, July 4, noon, 6:30pm

Closing Mass of the Fortnight for Freedom

EWTN Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington will say Mass in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to complete the two-week period of national Catholic prayer and action convened by the U.S. bishops.

THURSDAY, July 4, 10pm, live

Life on the Rock

EWTN Father Eric Weldon of the Diocese of Wichita, Kan., discusses the cause for canonization of the Servant of God Father Emil Kapaun (1916-1951), the U.S. Army chaplain who died a POW in the Korean War and is a new Medal of Honor recipient. Also guesting is Chase Kear, whose survival is considered due to Father Kapaun’s intercession. Re-airing 8pm Friday, 1am Saturday and 9am Tuesday. Advisory: TV-PG.

FRIDAY, July 5, 8 and 9pm

A Night of Exploration

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL At 8pm, Waking the Baby Mammoth tells the story of a baby mammoth, "Lyuba," discovered in Siberia in May 2007. At 9pm, Mammoth: Back From the Dead follows scientists who explore Siberia in search of frozen mammoth tissue.

Dan Engler writes from
Santa Barbara, California.