Can the Mass Readings be changed for Special Occasions?

[BaltoCatechist]

I was privileged to attend the opening Mass of this year’s Fortnight for Freedom at the Basilica in Baltimore on June 22, and the Mass was lovely but one thing puzzles me. The readings at the Mass were not the readings for the day but rather ones I suspect were chosen for the occasion: Gen 1:26-2:3, II Tim 1-13, and Mt 22:15-21 (“render unto Caesar”). My question is: by what authority could His Excellency Wm Lori use readings other than those prescribed by the Lectionary? Not a complaint, just a question. God Bless.

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

General Instruction of the Roman Missal:

358 In Masses for special groups, the Priest shall be allowed to choose texts more particularly suited to the particular celebration, provided they are taken from the texts of an approved Lectionary.

1. In addition, in the Lectionary a special selection of texts from Sacred Scripture is given for Ritual Masses into which certain Sacraments or Sacramentals are incorporated, or for Masses that are celebrated for certain needs…

…Therefore, the texts proclaimed in the celebration are to be chosen keeping in mind both an appropriate pastoral reason and the options allowed in this matter.