TV Picks 08.29.2010

SUNDAY, Aug. 29, 10am

Discovering the Vatican

EWTN “The Divisions of His Holiness” episode charts the history of the Swiss Guards and outlines their present duties. Re-airing 5:30pm Tuesday, Aug. 31, and 11pm Friday, Sept. 3.

MONDAY, Aug. 30, 8am

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Earthquakes

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL Geologist Iain Stewart explores the science of seismology and studies ancient and recent earthquakes in Greece, Russia, Turkey, China, Mexico, North America — and even on the moon.

MONDAY, Aug. 30, 8pm

Antiques Roadshow

PBS This installment from Milwaukee features a Persian rug, a stained-glass figurine connected to the harness racing stallion Dan Patch, and two autographed baseballs from milestone wins of pitcher Warren Spahn. A re-airing.

SATURDAY, Sept. 4, 3:30pm

Notre Dame Football

NBC New Coach Brian Kelly has emphasized to his squad that they are playing for Our Lady and her school. The Fighting Irish host the Purdue Boilermakers.

SUNDAY, Sept. 5, 8pm

Blessed Mother Teresa Stamp Ceremony

CATHOLICTV Mass will take place, and the U.S. Postal Service will unveil its new Mother Teresa postage stamp at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., today. Re-airing at noon Monday, Sept. 6.

SUNDAYS in September, 11pm

The Suffering Church

EWTN This new documentary proves that today, just as in ages past, “the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church.” More Catholics and other Christians died for their faith in the 20th century than in all previous centuries together, and persecution reigns today in many lands. Host David Alton and guests offer action plans for how to help pressure anti-Christian regimes. Re-airing 5:30am Tuesdays. Advisory: Persecution images.

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 8, 8pm

Through a Dog’s Eyes

PBS This documentary beautifully depicts the love between service dogs and the people to whom they give life-changing help. Jennifer Arnold, founder of Canine Assistants, shows how she teaches dogs and matches them to people’s specific needs. A re-airing.

THURSDAY-FRIDAY, Sept. 9-10, 9pm

9/11 Specials

HISTORY On Thursday night, 9/11 State of Emergency interviews Bush administration officials about their responses to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. On Friday night, Voices From Inside the Towers interviews F/A-18 pilots, air traffic controllers and survivors of the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon.

Dan Engler writes from Santa Barbara, California.

Vocations Voucher

Father Brett Brannen, vice rector of Mount St. Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., is the author of To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide for Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood.