SUNDAYS, 11am

From the Chair

CATHOLICTV In each of these half-hour episodes, a bishop from around the nation describes Catholic life in his diocese.

SUNDAY, July 18, 4pm

The Real Face of Jesus?

HISTORY Ray Dowling’s Studio Macbeth is “a digital illustration and animation studio specializing in 3-D graphic visualization for all media.” In this two-hour special, Dowling explains his conclusion that the shroud contains 3-D data inasmuch as it was wrapped around Jesus’ head. That idea led him to create a 3-D portrait of Jesus by editing out what he saw as 2-D distortions in shroud images. A re-airing. Advisory: TV-PG.

TUESDAY, July 20, 8pm

Nova: B-29 Frozen in Time

PBS This documentary chronicles flyer Darryl Greenamyer’s unsuccessful efforts in 1994 and 1995 to fly away a B-29 bomber — “The Kee Bird” — that had crash-landed some 250 miles north of Thule, Greenland, in 1947. A re-airing from 1996.

THURSDAY, July 22, 2am, 6pm

The Exile of Mary Magdalene

EWTN French tradition says that St. Mary Magdalene, her brother St. Lazarus, and other Christians came to Marseilles and converted Provence, after which she retired to a cave on the hill of La Sainte-Baume. This EWTN original production explores the narrative.

TUESDAY, July 27, 9:45am

Knute Rockne All American

TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES This 1940 classic’s 70th anniversary recalls a happier time when Hollywood was friendly to the Church. Here, beloved Catholic actor Pat O’Brien (1899-1983) plays Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne, and Ronald Reagan is star Irish back George Gipp.

TUESDAY, July 27, 8pm

Nova: Who Killed the Red Baron?

PBS This special relives the downing of World War I German fighter ace Manfred von Richthofen, “the Red Baron,” in France in 1918. A re-airing from 2003.

THURSDAY, July 29, 9pm

The Universe: 7 Wonders of the Solar System

HISTORY This series’ fifth season premieres with looks at Saturn’s rings and its moon Enceladus, Jupiter’s big red spot, the asteroid belt, a Mars volcano, the sun’s surface and planet Earth. Advisory: TV-PG.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, July 30-31

St. Ignatius Loyola

EWTN At 3am and 6:30pm Friday, Pioneers of the Spirit: Ignatius Loyola examines the spirituality of the man who founded the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). At 8pm Saturday, Loyola, the Soldier Saint presents the life story of St. Ignatius.

Dan Engler writes from
Santa Barbara, California.