A mix of movies and televised Masses and other services to carry you through Holy Week and Easter. All times are Pacific Time.
“Humane Vitae, Contraception and American Law” — 11 a.m.-noon March 28 on EWTN.
Teresa Collett looks at Blessed Paul’s VI’s 1968 encyclical “Humanae Vitae” in light of present-day contraception laws in America
Finding Jesus: The True Cross — 9 p.m. ET March 29 on CNN. Info.
The episode investigates the incredible legend of the True Cross, the actual cross Jesus died on. Considered by many to be the greatest relic in Christianity, it boasts an amazing back-story. According to Church Tradition, the mother of the Roman Emperor travels to the Holy Land three hundred years after Jesus’ death. Empress Helena, as she is known, and her son Constantine are the first openly Christian rulers of the Roman Empire. On the site of Christ’s crucifixion she discovers the remains of three wooden crosses. News of the discovery spreads across the Empire and the legend will help turn Christianity from an underground movement into a global religion. But how much of this legend is true?
[quote_box_right]See what else Pope Francis has planned for Holy Week[/quote_box_right]
Solemn Mass of Palm Sunday —
- 12:30-3:30 a.m. March 29 on EWTN live with Pope Francis in Vatican City. Rerun 5-8 a.m.
- 8 a.m. March 29 on KPHE-TV 44 (Cox 405, Prism 044) live in Spanish desde la parroquía de Santa Maria en Chandler.
- 9-10:30 a.m. March 29 on AZ-TV (AZ-TV7, Cable 13) live with Bishop Olmsted at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral and live online.
Theater of the Word: The Passion Narrative — 7-8 p.m. March 31 on EWTN and livestreamed online.
The story of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, as called from the four Gospels and performed by Theater of the Word actor Kevin O’Brien.
“Au Revoir, Les Enfants” — 7-9 p.m. March 31 on TCM. (1987).
When the Gestapo discover that a priest has hidden three Jewish youths in a Catholic boys’ school, he and the boys are arrested and deported to concentration camps. French writer-producer-director Louis Malle re-creates a painful memory from his own youth in a restrained, humbling, well-acted dramatization of a boy’s firsthand experience of the Holocaust in this 1987 film. Subtitles. Some rough language.
Rated A-II, adults and adolescents and PG, parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
“Chrism Mass in Rome With Pope Francis” — 12:30-2:30 a.m. April 2 on EWTN and livestreamed online.
From Vatican City as Pope Francis blesses oils for sacramental use during Mass on Holy Thursday
“Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper From Rome” — 8:30-11 a.m. April 2 on EWTN and livestreamed online.
Pope Francis celebrates the Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper from Rome. Rebroadcast 6:30-8 p.m.
Celebration of the Lord’s Passion —
- 8-10:30 a.m. April 3 on EWTN live with Pope Francis in Vatican City.
- 3 p.m. April 3 on AZ-TV (AZ-TV7, Cable 13) live with Bishop Olmsted at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral and live online.
“A Celebration of Peace Through Music ‘in Our Age'” — Select times and markets April 3-5 on public television. A full-length radio version is also available to classical radio stations.
The concert was conducted last May in Washington by noted conductor Sir Gilbert Levine to celebrate the canonizations of St. John XXIII and St. John Paul. The title, “In Our Age,” matches the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions.
Levine — popularly known as “the pope’s maestro” because of his nearly two-decade friendship and collaboration with St. John Paul — conducted the Orchestra of St. Luke’s from Carnegie Hall, the 85-voice Krakow Philharmonic Choir, and the 180-voice Choral Arts Society of Washington.
“Easter Vigil Mass” — 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. April 4 on EWTN and livestreamed online.
With Pope Francis in Rome.
Easter Sunday Mass —
- 1-4:45 a.m. April 5 on EWTN and livestreamed online with Pope Francis from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Rebroadcast 4-5:45 p.m.
Pope’s traditional Easter message and blessing to air at 3-3:30 a.m. and 3-3:30 p.m. April 5. - 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 5 on EWTN and livestreamed online with Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington at Washington’s Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
- 9 a.m. April 5 on AZ-TV (AZ-TV7, Cable 13) live with Bishop Olmsted at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral and live online.
“The Greatest Story Ever Told” — 1:30-5 p.m. April 5 on TCM
While not the greatest movie ever made, director George Stevens’ vision of the Gospel story presents a consistent, traditional view of Christ as the God Incarnate. The movie, despite its epic Hollywood scale, is well-acted, tastefully and realistically written, beautifully photographed and Max von Sydow’s believable portrayal of Jesus is the most essential element in its success.
Rated A-I, general patronage and G, general audiences. All ages admitted.
“The Ten Commandments” — 4-8:42 p.m. April 5 on ABC.
Less an inspirational story based on biblical sources than a dramatic vehicle with a sense of history, director Cecil B. DeMille’s epic production offers some spectacular re-creations, excellent technical effects and good acting from a fine cast, including Charlton Heston (as Moses), Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robinson and many other stars of the era.
Rated A-I, general patronage and G, general audiences. All ages admitted.
A.D.: The Bible Continues — 8 p.m. April 5 on NBC.
The series picks up where the smash hit miniseries “The Bible” left off, continuing the greatest story ever told and exploring the exciting and inspiring events that followed the Crucifixion of Christ. Read more.
Review from Catholic News Service and Catholic Philly.
— Compiled by John Mulderig Catholic News Service and The Catholic Sun.
