9 December 1996
The Pious Pastors
of the Holy Diocese of Denver
Beloved in the Lord,
In my pastoral visits to the parishes of the Diocese I have noticed that the containers of Holy Chrism (Myron) are discolored and not kept clean or dry. I have also noticed that the Chrism is dangerously low in the containers. Furthermore, some priests add olive oil to the Chrism to the point wherein the Chrism has lost its fragrance. In some cases, the smell of rancid olive oil is very strong.
All of you must keep in mind that the Holy Chrism is truly the Gift of the Holy Spirit! After the child is baptized, it is the Holy Myron which activates the gifts of God in the newly-baptized. Otherwise, it is possible that the Gift of the Holy Spirit does not come upon the newly-baptized Christian.
The possible absence of the Gift of the Holy Spirit may restrict the baptized child in developing the gifts it has received from God. Do not deny any baptized child or any convert to the faith the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise your efforts can be the "form" and not the "content." Do not play priest; but be the conscientious priest you always envisioned yourself to be.
Never allow the Holy Chrism to run low. Telephone or write to the holy Archdiocese for a vial of this precious Myron. I prefer that you use it from the original vial and not place it in the inadequate and unsightly containers which have been manufactured in recent years. I will endeavor to locate small bottles with a small brush attached to the cover which will be most practical in the anointing with the Holy Chrism, rather than what most of you have.
Please take the contents of this encyclical to heart and make certain that you fully anoint the recipients with the Holy Chrism that preserves its fragrance.
With Paternal Blessings,
+ Bishop Isaiah of Denver