Brian Condon: Diary of James Alipius Goold, 1848-1886

Friday April 1st. I rose this morning at the usual hour, 6. I went to the Confessional soon after. At 8 I offered up the Holy Sacrifice. At 9 I breakfasted. From 10 to 11 I was engaged in business. From 11 to 1 I wrote letters and studied. At 1 I took a walk until 2. I read until the first bell for dinner. At 3 we dined. At 5 I went again to walk. Tea at 6. Night prayers in the Church at 7. Conversed with the Clergy until 9.30, when I retired to rest.

Saturday April 2nd. I rose at 6 and went to the Confessional a little before 7. At 8 I celebrated Mass, took breakfast at 9. I gave from 10 to 12 to writing letters and business. I studied from 12 to 1. I walked a short distance between 1 and 2. From 2.30 to 3 I heard confessions. Dined at 3. Went to the Confessional at 4 and remained there until 6. Tea at 6. At 7 went to Confessional, where I was occupied until 9. At 10 I retired to rest.

Sunday April 3rd. I offered up the most Holy Sacrifice this morning at 7. I heard a few Confessions afterwards. I administered at my Mass the Holy Communion to at least 50 persons. At 8 o'clock Mass nearly 300 received the Blessed Sacrament. I assisted and preached at the 11 o'clock Mass. At 3 p.m. I went into the Church to arrange the classes for Catechism. From 4 to 5 I read and wrote at intervals. At 5 we dined. Vespers commenced at 7, after Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament was given by me. A hurried tea followed. We then hastened to the meeting of the Catholic Association. The collection amounted to £97. It was late when the meeting was dissolved. At 11 I retired to rest.

Monday April 4th. I was engaged hearing confessions this morning at a little before 7. At 8 I celebrated Mass. I took my breakfast at 9, and having completed my morning devotions I gave myself to business and study until 1 p.m. At 1 I took a short walk, after which I read and wrote until the first bell rang for dinner. I went to walk again at 5. At 6 I took tea. Night prayers in the Church at 7. Prayers said I went into the confessional - but no penitents approaching I left the Church and returned to the house. The usual entertaining conversation with Clergy over, I retired to rest at 10.

Tuesday April 5th. The same order of duty occupied me today. During my usual walk I visited two of the public schools and caused the children to be examined in their Catechism etc. The teachers being lately appointed, but little proficiency can be expected at present from the children. The teachers appear to be intelligent men and well versed in the science of teaching. At 3 I dined. I took a short walk at 5. Tea at 6. Night prayers at 7. After prayers I heard a few confessions. At 10 I retired to rest.

Wednesday April 6. I rose this morning at 6. I went to the Confessional at 7. At 8 I said Mass. Breakfasted at 9. Business and study engaged me from 10 to 1. I visited the schools today again and had the children examined as before. The irregularity with which the children attend the school is the chief cause of their backwardness in everything approaching knowledge. We dined at 3. A short walk, tea and night prayers filled up the interval between 5 and 8. I heard confessions after night prayers.

Tuesday April 7th. Nothing occurred today to interrupt the usual course of business and study and the order of religious duties I have laid down for myself. After night prayers I heard a few confessions. At 10 I retired to rest.

Friday April 8th. The same religious duties and the course of study and of business, with a small share of variety in the latter, filled up the measure of time allowed this day. At a little after 9 I retired to repose.

Saturday April 9th. I rose this morning at 6. Heard Confessions from 7 to 8. At 8 I celebrated the Holy Mysteries. After breakfast I was taken up with business and study until 12. At 1 I went to the Confessional, where I remained until 3. Dined at 3. At 4 I went again to hear Confessions and continued so engaged until 6, when I went to tea. I returned at 7 to the confessional and remained there until between 9 and 10. It was 11 when I went to bed.

Sunday April 10th. I said Mass this morning at 7 during which I delivered a short lecture on the Commandments in general by way of introduction to a series of lectures on them, separately considered. About a hundred received the Holy Communion at this Mass. Having made a short thanksgiving I heard Confessions up to the giving of Holy Communion at the 8 o'clock Mass. At 9 I took breakfast. The interval that lapsed between 9.30 and 11 I occupied in reading. At 11 I assisted in the Church at the last Mass. Reading works suited to my calling and the day filled up all my time until 3, when I went to the Church to see that the children were taught the Christian doctrine. At 5 we dined. Vespers commenced at 7, after which Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament was given by the Vicar-General - with this the service of the evening concluded. I retired to rest at 11.

Monday April 11. I rose this morning at the usual hour, sat to hear Confessions at 7 and said Mass at 8. I took breakfast at 9. I devoted from 10 to 12 to business, at intervals I wrote in reply to letters addressed to me from the several Missions. I wrote and studied from 12 to 1. I visited the schools from 1 to 2. At 3 I dined. I took a short walk between 4 and 5. At 6 we had tea. Night prayers at 7, after which I heard Confessions. La Converz[at]ione con clero until 10, when I retired to rest.

Tuesday April 12th. My time today was employed with little variety, in the same manner as yesterday. The clergyman stationed at the diggings of Bendigo came to town today. His report of the Mission is not very satisfactory. The Catholics there merely hear Mass. The Sacraments seem to be entirely lost sight of in their covetous pursuit after gold. I shall visit them on the first early opportunity after my return from Gippsland. I retired to rest at the usual hour of 10.

Wednesday April 13th. The same order of duty and study occupied this day as on the preceding days, recreation and a visit to the schools being made at the usual time. Night prayers as usual at 7, after which I received to the Sacrament of Penance a few persons. Retired to rest at 9.30.

Thursday April 14th. I rose at 6 this morning and went to the confessional at 7. I offered up the Holy Sacrifice at 8 and breakfasted at the usual hour. Business and study engaged my attention until 10. I took my usual exercise on the church ground. I wrote a few letters during the hour preceding dinner. At 3, dinner. I took a short walk at 5. Tea at 6. Night prayers [at] 7. I heard confessions immediately after. At 9 I retired to repose.

Friday April 15th. This day was occupied as the preceding one. At 7 night prayers, after which I attended in the Confessional. La Converz[at]ione con clero continued until 9.30, when I went to bed.

Saturday April 16th. I rose at 6, went to the confessional at 7 and celebrated the Holy Mysteries at 8. Breakfasted at the usual hour. Business and study engaged my attention from 10 to 12. From 12 to 3 confessions in the church. Dinner at 3. From 4 to 6 confessions. From 7 to 10 confessions. I retired for the night at 11.

Sunday April 17th. I offered up the Holy Sacrifice this morning in the private chapel in consequence of a severe attack of influenza. I remained in my room most of the day in consequence of it. Reading engaged my attention chiefly, I wrote occasionally. In the evening I attended Vespers. I gave a solemn Benediction with the most blessed sacrament. The service of the evening over, I presided at the monthly meeting of the Catholic Association. The collection amounted to £97. At 11 I retired to rest.

Monday April 18th. I rose at 6 this morning. Heard Confessions from 7 until 8. At [8] I offered up the Holy Mysteries. Breakfast at 9. Business and study from 10 to 12. I made preparation today for my journey to Gippsland, which I intend to commence on tomorrow. Dined at 3. At 5 I took a short walk. We had tea at 6, night prayers at 7 and confessions were heard immediately after. At 10 I retired to rest.

Tuesday April 19th. I rose this morning at 6 and went as usual to the Confessional at 7. At 8 I said Mass. We breakfasted at 9. Immediately I gave instructions to the Clergy concerning their several duties during my absence, which I thought would extend over a period of three weeks. I took my leave of them and proceeded on my journey to Gippsland. I reached Dandenong, the first stage, a distance of thirty miles, about 5. We would have reached this place sooner but that we lost our way. Having taken dinner and being tired, I said night prayers, in which the family of the house joined, and retired to rest.

Wednesday April 20th. It was late when we left Dandenong this morning for Western Port and this was owing to the unfavourableness of the weather. Heavy rain fell during the night and continued to fall up to the hour of our departure. It cleared up as the [day?] advanced. As we resumed our journey we invoked, by reciting the Litany, the protection and intercession of the Blessed Virgin. At 1 we passed within a few yards of a hut, to which the servant went to make inquiries about the road. We moved on, but had not gone far when we perceived he was not coming after us. Sufficient time having elapsed for his obtaining this necessary information and overtaking us, we became alarmed lest he should have attempted to take a short cut to the road and lost himself in the bush. We returned to the hut which we found closed and unoccupied - there we could not ascertain anything about him. We therefore proceeded on our journey with view of sending some person acquainted with the place from the Inn in search of him. We reached the Inn - a miserable apology for a house of accommodation - at 5. I immediately enquired if I could get a person to go in search of the servant, but I was answered rather pertly in the negative. The woman in charge of the Inn, a Catholic, was vulgarly uncivil. There was no man at the place to take charge of our tired horses. However my greatest anxiety was for the servant - and he, thank God, made his appearance, overcome by anxiety and fatigue, at 6. It seems on his leaving the hut he turned to his right and went several miles on the road we passed over in the morning before he discovered his mistake. Relieved of all anxiety concerning his safety, I enjoyed with an easy mind the humble comforts of this miserable Inn. During the night I slept but little, owing to the loud conversation of people in the next room.

Thursday 21st. I rose this morning a little after 5, intending to make an early start, but delays occurred which prevented us from setting out on our journey until 9. The weather was fine, the country through which we passed was picturesque, in many places swampy and unfit for cultivation. It being a squatting district, the population is thin and scattered. The Catholics are the fewest in number. It was 5 when we arrived at the Inn. It is kept by a very good Catholic family.

Here I met a German Doctor who introduced himself as Colonial Botanist. My first duty after my arrival was to finish the Divine Office. This obligation satisfied, I took supper. I retired to rest soon after night prayers.

Friday April 22nd. This being a day of great labour and toil I started on the journey soon after 6. The first ten miles which brought us to the foot of the ranges we travelled at a quick pace, reaching the ascent about 9. The remainder of the way over the ranges was one of severe toil for horses and riders. We crossed deep gullies through which we had to walk leading our horses, the horses sinking sometimes to the saddle girths in slough. The rivers, being without bridges in some places, were passed with difficulty. The last river we had to cross was flushed and the bridge partly carried away. We repaired the bridge so that the horses and ourselves could - after wading through the water knee deep - pass to the other side.

The house where we stopped for the night accommodated us but poorly. I went to bed immediately to avoid catching cold, my clothes being wet and not having others to change them with. A cup of tea and a little bread constituted our dinner after a long and tiresome journey.

Saturday April 23rd. It was 9 when we resumed our journey today. After a ride of forty five miles we reached Mr Crooke's Station, where we remained the night. At first there was no welcome for us, but when we conversed for a little while the proprietor seemed inclined to welcome us and make us comfortable. He was most kind as we became better acquainted.

Sunday April 24th. I rose this morning at 6. Not having the vestments with us I was unable to celebrate the Holy Mysteries, and owing to our great distance from Tarraville we could not reach that place in time to hear Mass.

On setting out on our journey we said, according to our usual practice, the Litany of Our Lady. During the journey I strove to be collected, saying from time to time such prayers as suggested themselves to me. We arrived at the end of this day's journey a little after 5. The day was - and the evening - delightful. After I said night prayers with the family I retired to rest.

Monday April 25th. It was rather late when I rose this morning owing to the fatigue of the last week. The priest who accompanied me went to Tarraville to acquaint the resident Clergyman of my arrival. I performed my morning devotions, said my office and wrote a little until 12. At 12 or a short time after, the Catholics of Tarraville, with Father Moore, arrived at Collins' where I was stopping. After a short delay I proceeded with them to the township. Soon after I had arrived at the Presbytery, I gave notice to the people that I would conduct a spiritual retreat during the week as a preparation for their approaching the Holy Communion on Sunday. I arranged the Mass would be celebrated each morning at 8 and 10. Having said night prayers, I retired early to rest.

Tuesday April 26th. I rose this morning at 7 and prepared for the celebration of the Holy Mysteries. At 8 I commenced the exercises by reading morning prayers and the prayer before Mass, as it is in the Garden of the Soul; this done, I proceeded with Mass. After the Gospel I addressed on the necessity of taking advantage of the Spiritual Retreat and the Jubilee, which I published here for the first time in order to move them to approach the Sacraments, which they had hitherto entirely neglected in consequence of the bad example and public scandals of the two bad priests who had lived amongst them. These men of bad life had nearly destroyed the faith of the people, as they had ruined their morals. To repair the injury of their example and scandal, I and the clergymen with me will labour during the present retreat.

Though I published that confessions would be heard from 12 to 2 and from 4 to 6, no persons presented themselves. At 6 we had night prayers, at which all the Catholics of the town assisted and some few from the country. As soon as I said the prayers I again instructed them and they seemed moved as in the morning. I expect tomorrow will witness some fruits of penance and our labour. At 10 I retired to rest.

Wednesday April 27th. The people assembled this morning at 8 in order to hear Mass and instruction. Morning prayers and the prayers appointed to be said in the time of a jubilee served as an introduction to the Holy Sacrifice. After the Gospel I instructed the people and apparently with effect. I concluded the service with the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, prayers for the dead and an invocation of mercy. At 10 Mass was said by one of the two resident Clergymen and at this Mass the Catholics of the town and country assisted. The[y] commenced to come to Confession about 12 and before night nearly all the Catholics, thank God, of the township and neighbourhood made their confessions. At 6 we had night prayers. After, I gave a short instruction to the people. I retired to rest at 10.

Thursday April 28th. I commenced the spiritual exercises this morning at 8. Immediately after the Gospel I instructed the people. Having concluded the celebration of the Holy Mysteries, I said the Litany of the Blessed Virgin and the other prayers above alluded to. The Holy Mysteries were again celebrated at 10, when those attended who could not be present at the 8 mass. From 12 to 2 we were engaged hearing the people's confessions and instructing such as were preparing for Confirmation. Thank God for his goodness to this people, all living in Tarraville and many from the country have been to confession. In the evening from 4 to 5 we heard those who came in from the country. At 6 we said night prayers, the people all joining. Before they retired I gave them a short instruction and explanation of a Plenary Indulgence. At 10 I went to bed.

Friday April 29th. At 8 as usual I commenced the Spiritual Exercises. After the Gospel I addressed the people on the subject of it, as it seemed suited to their present circumstances. I concluded the morning's devotion with the Litany of the Blessed Virgin and a prayer of preparation for Holy Communion. The Holy Sacrifice was offered up again at 10. The people attended on each occasion with great devotion and attention. From 12 to 1 the people made their first visit to the Chapel as prescribed by the instructions for the Jubilee. The Blessed Sacrament was exposed on the Altar. At 1 I heard a few confessions. At 1.30 I took a walk until 2.

The weather continues cold and showery. We dined a little after 2. From 4 till 6 we heard confessions. At 6 we had night prayers and a lecture, after which I said a few words concerning the money they subscribed towards the erection of a church in Tarraville. I then spoke to them on the respect and attention with which they should listen to the instructions of their Pastors. The service concluded with the Litany of the Blessed Virgin sung by a pious and respectable Catholic family living at Tarraville. At 10 I retired to rest, but it was 12 before I composed myself to sleep, having read up to that time.

Saturday April 30th. I rose this morning at 7 and prepared to offer up the Holy Sacrifice. At 8 the people assembled and I commenced the spiritual exercises by reading morning prayers and a prayer before Mass, after which I proceeded with Mass. Having read the Gospel I instructed the people on the importance of preparing themselves well for the Holy Communion. I reminded them of the enormous guilt of an unworthy Communion. After Mass I recited the Litany and prayers before Communion.

At 10 Mass was said, at which great numbers assisted. From 12 to 1 I heard Confessions. We then permitted the people to make their visit to the Blessed Sacrament and recite the prayers for the Jubilee. I took a short walk. We dined at 2. From 4 to 6 we heard confessions. At 6 we had night prayers. I retired to rest at 10. The weather cleared up and promises to be fine.