SUNDAY, Nov. 20, various

Pope Benedict XVI in Benin

EWTN, CATHOLICTV On his final day in Benin, the Holy Father will celebrate Mass and entrust the post-synodal apostolic exhortation to Africa’s bishops. He will dine with the Special Council for Africa of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops and then depart. CatholicTV will provide coverage at noon and 8pm, and EWTN will feature the events, too.

MONDAYS, 11pm

The New and Eternal Word

CATHOLICTV In this series, Msgr. James Moroney and guest experts discuss the Roman Missal, Third Edition — the prayers and instructions for celebrating Mass that will go into effect Nov. 27, the First Sunday of Advent. Re-airings at 9am Tuesdays, 3:30am Wednesdays, 3:30pm Fridays, and 9am and 6pm Sundays.

WEEKDAYS, Nov. 21-25, 28, 3am, 6:30pm

It’s a Miracle

EWTN Pro-life and pro-chastity expert Barbara McGuigan hosts “Open Line Tuesday” and “The Good Fight” on EWTN Radio. In these daily 30-minute TV episodes, she tells teens about God’s plan for life and love, explains the evils and dangers of sexual sins and the occult, and interviews pro-life Irish teens.

WEEKDAYS, Nov. 21-25, Nov. 28-Dec. 2, 11am

Women of Grace

EWTN Lay evangelist, author and longtime EWTN personality Johnnette Benkovic hosts experts discussing Catholic women’s dignity and femininity. Re-airings at 11:30pm Monday-Thursday, Nov. 21-24, and 11:30pm Monday-Friday, Nov. 28-Dec. 2.

THURSDAY, Nov. 24

Thanksgiving Day

NBC, FOX, TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES From 9am to noon, NBC airs the 85th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, with its famed giant helium cartoon-character balloons, marching bands and entertainers. Advisory: Skip the occasional immodest costumes. Live at 9:30am, Fox airs a pro football contest between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field in Detroit. At noon, NBC airs the National Dog Show (taped). The beloved Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street (1947) airs at 2pm on NBC and 6pm on Turner Classic Movies.

THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 9pm

Epic History of Everyday Things

HISTORY This new two-hour special looks at the objects, materials, machines and actions in a person’s typical day and pauses to trace the origin and history of each one, such as toothpaste, neckties, mirrors and simply stopping for a cup of coffee.

FRIDAY, Dec. 2, 9pm

Great Performances: Andrea Bocelli Live in Central Park

PBS In this two-hour special taped on Sept. 15, tenor Andrea Bocelli performs in Central Park, along with the New York Philharmonic under Alan Gilbert, the Westminster Symphonic Choir under Joe Miller, and guests such as Celine Dion and Tony Bennett.

Dan Engler writes from Santa Barbara, California.