SUNDAY, Nov. 21, 3:30am

Mass With the New Cardinals

EWTN Among the 24 new cardinals who will celebrate Mass in St. Peter’s with Pope Benedict XVI for the solemnity of Christ the King — and receive their cardinal’s rings from the Holy Father — are Americans Raymond Burke, prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, the Holy See’s “supreme court,” and Donald Wuerl of Washington. Re-airs at noon.

MONDAY, Nov. 22, 9pm

The Real Story of

Thanksgiving

HISTORY This new 60-minute special distinguishes Thanksgiving’s actual roots and history from stories and impressions that have developed about them. Re-airs 8pm Wednesday and 11pm Thursday.

TUESDAY, Nov. 23, 8pm

Nova: Quest for Solomon’s Mines

PBS Nova and National Geographic conducted two archaeological field investigations in the Jordanian desert this past summer in search of sources of the treasures of King Solomon. They found an ancient large-scale copper mine and a 3,000-year-old message with the tantalizing words “slave,” “king” and “judge.”

THURSDAY, Nov. 25, noon

Thanksgiving Day

NBC For two hours, experts John O’Hurley, David Frei and Mary Carillo will provide commentary during the Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s annual National Dog Show, which will feature 2,000 canines from at least 150 breeds and a “Cutest Puppy” contest. Next up is the 1947 Christmas classic film, Miracle on 34th Street, in which Catholic actress Maureen O’Hara plays the mother of little Natalie Wood.

FRIDAY, Nov. 26, 11am

Ultimate Factories

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL Today’s five consecutive hour-long episodes cover Peterbilt big-rig trucks, the 2010 Camaro SS muscle car, the John Deere STS combine, Winnebago motor homes and Caterpillar’s giant 797B hauling vehicle.

SATURDAY, Nov. 27, noon

Vigil for All Nascent Human Life

EWTN Pope Benedict XVI said in 2006, “God’s love does not differentiate between the newly conceived infant still in his or her mother’s womb and the child or young person, or the adult and the elderly person. God does not distinguish between them because he sees an impression of his own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26) in each one.” Now, at vespers in St. Peter’s on the First Sunday of Advent, the Holy Father will lead a pro-life prayer vigil for unborn babies, as will bishops and pastors worldwide.

VARIOUS, Nov. 27-Dec. 4

Celtic Crossroads — World Fusion

PBS Check PBS pledge week local listings for this new special in which Irish musicians play the harp, Uilleann pipes, fiddles and other instruments as they blend Celtic tunes with classical, bluegrass, gypsy and jazz genres while Irish step dancers perform alongside.

Dan Engler writes from Santa Barbara, California.