EWTN Helps You Put the ‘Holy’ in Holy Week

Irondale, AL – Did you miss your parish’s Lenten mission? Feel like you could have tried a little harder to be a better person this Lent?

 

Then, tune into EWTN this week as we enter into the holiest week of the year. Below are just a few of the great programs EWTN will air. (Note: Times are subject to change so please check our website for updates and the complete schedule at http://bit.ly/GXO74x. For a complete schedule of programs on the EWTN Radio Network, click here: http://bit.ly/Hn4sQ8.)

 

Palm Sunday Specials:

• I Thirst:This gripping musical drama of the Crucifixion, performed by sisters Tatiana Cameron and Sanja Mateyas, translates the life experiences of these two talented artists into a unique interpretation of Jesus’ words from the Cross, “I Thirst.” Airs 1 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 1 and 10 p.m. ET, Tuesday, April 3.
• The Passion According to Luke: Leonardo Defilippis' dramatic performance of these events, taken directly from Scripture, draws the audience into a deep understanding of the immensity of God's love for His children. Airs 2 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 1; 10 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 4; and 2 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 7.
• Meditations with Fr. Groescehl:Father Groeschel shows us how Palm Sunday should prepare us for the holiest week of the year. Airs 10 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 1.
• Passion of Christ According to St. Francis: Scriptural meditations on Christ’s sufferings are presented alongside a striking 14th century fresco cycle of Assisi’s traditional Good Friday Procession. Airs 6:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 1 with an encore at 3:30 a.m. ET, Friday, April 6.

Palm Sunday Masses:

•  (Live) Solemn Mass of Palm Sunday from Rome with Pope Benedict. Airs 3:30 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 1 with an encore at 8 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 1.
• (Live)  Palm Sunday with the Franciscan Friars from Irondale, Ala. Airs 8 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 1, with an encore at 12 a.m. ET, Monday, April 2.
• (Live) Solemn Mass of Palm Sunday from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (BNSIC) with Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò. Airs 12 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 1. 

Holy Week Specials: Suffering and Death in Our Own Lives

Among the dozens of Holy Week specials, here are three that are especially relevant to those who are suffering and need support:

• Women of Grace Specials: “Suffering, Sorrow and God’s Plan.” Airs 11 a.m. ET, Monday, April 2. “Help God! My Child is Dying! The Cry of a Father’s Heart.” Airs 11 a.m. ET, Tuesday, April 3. “A Plan for a Future Full of Hope.” Airs 11 a.m. ET, Wednesday, April 4.
• John Paul II and the Sick: The Value of Suffering: Journey with Pope John Paul II around the world as he reaches out with the love of Christ to the sick and suffering and calls us, as Jesus did, to do the same. Airs 11:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 4.
• The Best of Mother Angelica Live:Theology Professor Father Edward Krause joins Mother to discuss the spiritual and moral dimensions involved in taking care of the sick and disabled. Airs 2 a.m. ET and 9 a.m. ET, Tuesday, April 3.

Holy Week Retreats

• Holy Week Retreat with Fr. Bede McGregor, O.P., Prior of St. Malachy's Friary in Dundalk, Ireland, Postulator of the Cause of the Servant of God Frank Duff, and Spiritual Director to the Legion of Mary. Airs 3 a.m. ET, and 11 p.m. ET, Monday, April 2 through Thursday, April 5; and 3 a.m. ET and 10:30 a.m. ET, Friday, April 6.
• Holy Week Retreat with Fr. Pablo Straub: Airs 9 a.m. ET, Monday through Friday, April 2 to April 6.

Children

• My Little Angels: The people of the town of St. Paul make use of the season of Lent to prepare for the Passion of Christ. Animated. Airs 4:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, April 3. Animated
• Animated Stories from the New Testament: Children learn how Jesus fulfills his ministry through his Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Airs 5 p.m. ET, Tuesday, April 3.
• We Are Catholic: Redemptive Suffering: The children learn that the suffering has a value and meaning for our lives if we offer it to God with love. Airs 4 p.m. ET, Tuesday, April 3.
• Rosary for Kids: In this animated program, the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary are presented in an understandable way that will inspire children. Airs 4 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 4.
• The Divine Mercy Chaplet for Kids: St. Faustina teaches her young friends Kristin, Enrique and others about the Divine Mercy Devotion and how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Animated. Airs 4:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 4.

Holy Thursday Masses:

• (Live) Chrism Mass from Rome with Pope Benedict. Airs 3:30 a.m. ET, Thursday, April 5.
• (Live) Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper from Rome with Pope Benedict. Airs 12:00 a.m. ET, Friday, April 6.
•  (Live) Choral Meditations and Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper from the BNSIC with Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, April 5.

Good Friday

•  (Live) Celebration of the Lord’s Passion from Rome with Pope Benedict. Airs 11 a.m. ET, Friday, April 6, with an encore at 2 a.m. ET, Saturday, April 7.
• (Live) Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion from Irondale, Ala. With the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal World. Airs 4 p.m. ET, Friday, April 6.
• Choral Meditations on the Passion of Christ from the BNSIC. Airs 6 p.m. ET, Friday, April 6. Immediate followed by the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Holy Saturday

• (Live) Easter Vigil Mass from Rome with Pope Benedict. Airs 3 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 7, with an encore at 12 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 8.
• (Live) Easter Vigil Mass from BNSIC. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 7.

Easter Sunday

• (Live) Solemn Mass of Easter Sunday from Rome with Pope Benedict. Airs 4 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 8, with an encore at 7 p.m. ET.
• (Live) Solemn Mass of Easter Sunday from Irondale, Ala. Airs 8 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 8, with an encore at 12 a.m. ET, Monday, April 9.

Pope’s Easter Message to the World

• (Live) Urbi Et Orbi: Message and Blessing. Airs 6 a.m. ET, Sunday, April 8, with encores at 6 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 8, 2 a.m. ET, Monday, April 9, and 6 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 14.

Programs may be seen or heard on EWTN television by cable or satellite (www.ewtn.com/channelfinder), streaming audio or video on the Intranet (http://origin.ewtn.com/audiovideo/index.asp), shortwave (http://www.ewtn.com/radio/freq.htm), and EWTN mobile (http://www.ewtn.com/mobi/). You can also listen to many great Holy Week programs on the EWTN Radio Network via our affiliates (http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.htm), or on satellite radio (http://www.sirius.com/ewtn).

 

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30^th year, is available in over 200 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com, electronic and print news services, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

ACN News - Iranian bishop encourages Western Christians to value their freedom

A local bishop in Iran has encouraged Western Christians to value their freedom, but also to put it to good use.

In a meeting with international Catholic pastoral charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the Chaldean Bishop of Tehran, Ramzi Garmou, had a message for Christians in the West, saying, “Be aware of the value of the freedom that you enjoy.”

He then challenged Western Christians to “make good use of their freedom,” asking, “How do you use it in your countries?”

He emphasized that they must not become “the slaves of a culture that seeks to drive God out of people’s hearts,” but rather that they should use their freedom to “propagate respect for human life.”

A culture without God leads to “death” and has “no future,” he said.

Christians in Iran only represent a small minority, yet “their vitality does not depend on their numbers but on the quality of their faith and their living witness.”

In their “day-to-day dialogue” with the Muslims, the Christians in Iran “give authentic witness to the values of the Gospels,” he continued.

The substantial emigration of Christians from Iran for political, economic and religious reasons represents a challenge, but Bishop Garmou emphasized that the Christian community in Iran does not let itself become discouraged.

“Although we are our mothers’ children, in truth we were sent to this country by God.”

He continued by saying that it is often forgotten today that the suffering endured for the Church is the “source of the life of the Church.” He went on to say that such trials lead to the renewal and strengthening of the Church.

Up to 99 percent of the population of the Islamic Republic of Iran is Muslim. Conversions from Islam are forbidden and punishable by death.

Christians represent a minority of some 80,000, three-quarters of whom are Armenian Orthodox.

The 20,000 Catholics living in Iran belong to three different Rites. They are permitted to practice their religion within their congregations at their places of worship, but they are not allowed to profess their faith openly, and missionary activity is forbidden.

With picture of Archbishop Ramzi Garmou of the Chaldean Church in Iran (Tehran) (© ACN).

Editor’s Notes:

Directly under the Holy Father, Aid to the Church in Need supports the faithful wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need.  ACN is a Catholic charity - helping to bring Christ to the world through prayer, information and action.

Founded in 1947 by Father Werenfried van Straaten, whom Pope John Paul II named “An Outstanding Apostle of Charity,” the organization is now at work in over 145 countries throughout the world.

The charity undertakes thousands of projects every year including providing transport for clergy and lay Church workers, construction of church buildings, funding for priests and nuns and help to train seminarians. Since the initiative’s launch in 1979, 43 million Aid to the Church in Need Child’s Bibles have been distributed worldwide.

For more information contact Michael Varenne at michael@churchinneed.org or call 718-609-0939 or fax718-609-0938. Aid to the Church in Need, 725 Leonard Street, PO Box 220384, Brooklyn, NY 11222-0384.  www.churchinneed.org

Mother Angelica Live Holy Week Reflections