Shalom World’s New Series "Beauty of the Rites" Explores the Catholic Church’s Ancient Traditions
Shalom World’s new series, Beauty of the Rites, premieres Lent 2026. This cinematic journey explores Holy Week across six diverse Catholic traditions-Latin, Byzantine, Maronite, and more-revealing the rich unity of the Church’s ancient worship.
- (1888PressRelease) February 04, 2026 - EDINBURG, TX - To the casual observer, Catholic worship might look the same everywhere. But scratch the surface, and you find a vibrant mix of cultures, languages, and ancient histories. This Lent 2026, Shalom World is pulling back the curtain on that diversity with Beauty of the Rites, a new six-part documentary series that captures how the different Rites of the Catholic Church navigate the most sacred week of the year.
For many Catholics, "Mass" means the Latin Rite they attend every Sunday. Yet, the universal Church is actually a communion of 24 autonomous Churches, each with its own distinct way of praying. This series moves beyond the theology textbooks to show what that actually looks like in practice-from the chants of the East to the silence of the West.
A Sensory Experience of Faith
The producers of Beauty of the Rites wanted to create something more than an educational explainer. The goal was to let the liturgies speak for themselves. The camera lingers on the details: the specific way incense is used in the Syro-Malankara tradition, the icons venerated in the Byzantine rite, and the ancient Aramaic prayers still spoken by Maronite Catholics today.
It’s a series built for people-whether devout believers or curious skeptics-who are looking for roots in a modern world. It shows how these communities have kept the faith alive, handed down from the Apostles, through centuries of history.
Six Traditions, One Paschal Mystery
Instead of jumping back and forth, each episode settles into a single Rite, allowing the viewer to experience the full arc of the season through that specific tradition’s eyes. The series covers the Latin, Byzantine, Syro-Malankara, Syro-Malabar, Melkite, and Maronite traditions.
Viewers will see how the journey unfolds, step by step:
The Lenten Preparation: From Ash Wednesday to Clean Monday, seeing how fasting and prostrations prepare the body and soul.
The Triumphal Entry: How Palm Sunday (or Hosanna Sunday) balances the joy of the procession with the coming sorrow of the Passion.
The Triduum: The series captures the intimate foot-washing ceremonies of Maundy Thursday, the raw grief of Good Friday’s lamentations, and the quiet, pregnant pause of Holy Saturday.
The Resurrection: Finally, the explosion of light and sound that marks Easter Sunday.
More Than History
While the rituals are ancient, the people practicing them are very much alive. Each episode is guided by a priest or scholar from that specific community. They aren't just lecturing; they are inviting viewers into the mystery, explaining why a certain gesture is made or what a specific hymn means. It connects the "what" of the ritual to the "why" of daily life.
Beauty of the Rites isn't just about watching a ceremony; it’s about understanding the heartbeat of a global faith that is much larger, and more diverse, than many realize.
How to Watch
The series is set to premiere during Lent 2026 exclusively on Shalom World. For broadcast schedules, sneak peeks, and more details on the specific Rites featured, visit: http://shalomworld.org/lent
About: Shalom World is a commercial-free, high-definition Catholic media reaching millions of viewers worldwide. Through original programming, the network strives to offer content that inspires, educates, and builds a culture of hope.
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