Q: Our diocese is planning a special mass for the day of prayer for creation on Sunday, September 1, 2019. May we use special readings?
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A: In keeping with GIRM 374, and at the suggestion of the USCCB’s Office of Divine Worship, a bishop may permit parishes to use the presidential prayers from the missal’s Mass for the Sanctification of Human Labor from the Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions (no. 26; see especially the second Collect of formulary A), as well as readings from Volume IV of the lectionary from the mass “For the Blessing of Human Labor,” nos. 907-911. The national office especially recommends Genesis 2:4b-9, 15 and Psalm 90:2, 3-5a, 12-13, 14 and 16 (see nos. 907-2 and 909-1, respectively). You may choose some of these readings and prayers, but only if your bishop explicitly permits it.