MONDAY, MAY 7

American Writers

C-SPAN, 9 a.m.

This installment harks back to mid-19th-century America as it analyzes the thoughts of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau on nature and mankind. To be rebroadcast Friday, May 11, at 8 p.m.

MONDAY, MAY 7

Pyramids

Discovery, 9 p.m.

This hour-long program uses ingenious animation and computer graphics to illustrate recent theories on how ancient peoples built pyramids in Egypt and the Americas.

TUESDAYS

Marriage: For Better … Forever

EWTN, 11 a.m.

Hear one Catholic couple's valuable tips on how to nurture your marriage in today's mixed-up, divorce-happy world. Greg Popcak directs the Pastoral Solutions Institute, and Lisa Popcak is his wife. To be rebroadcast Wednesdays at 10 p.m. and Fridays at 1:30 p.m.

TUESDAYS

Catholic Essentials: A Franciscan Living Room Retreat

EWTN, 6:30 p.m.

In this new series, missionary and retreat master Capuchin Father Angelus Shaughnessy discusses the faith with wisdom, kindliness and Franciscan joy. To be rebroadcast Mondays at 1:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, MAY 8

History's Mysteries: The True Gladiators

History Channel, 8 p.m.

This world premiere episode explains what is known about those who fought for their lives — against one another and ferocious animals — in the savage arenas of pagan Rome's far-flung empire. Few gladiators managed to survive, retire and live out their lives in peace.

TUESDAY, MAY 8

Divine Mission: San Xavier del Bac

PBS; check local listings for time

This inspiring half-hour documentary follows the restoration of Mission San Xavier del Bac in Tucson, Ariz., between 1992 and 1997 by preservation architect Bob Vint's international team of conservators, Sonny and Dan Morales’ construction company and local Tohono O'odham Indians. They repaired the exterior of the beautiful Mexican baroque mission with traditional early methods.

FRIDAY, MAY 11

Religion & Ethics Newsweekly

PBS; check local listings for time

The imminent execution of Timothy McVeigh for the murders of 168 people in the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building in 1995 is the basis for this discussion of the death penalty. Against the backdrop of how to protect the innocent from remorseless murderers whom no penalties seem to deter, host Tim O'Brien explores religious arguments pro and con.

SATURDAYS

The Most Glorious Art: Understanding the Mass

EWTN, 2 p.m.

In this exciting new series, Christifideles founder Father John Perricone of St. Agnes Church in Manhattan discusses topics such as: the history of the Mass; Mass, ourselves and the work of salvation; and barriers to the Mass in today's culture. To be rebroadcast Tuesdays at 10 p.m. and Thursdays at 1:30 a.m.

Dan Engler writes from Santa Barbara, California.