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

Tuesday - April 1st. Rose at 6 - recited Matins - heard Confessions. At 8.30 commenced Mass. Gave Holy Communion to 90 persons - 45 others were disappointed. Preached. Left for Portland. When within 14 miles of Portland horse kicked and broke shafts. Got into Portland about 6.30.

Wednesday April 2nd. Morning prayers - Matins - Mass - Meditation. Short walk. Read letters brought by the December Mail, delayed until this month by bad weather. Wrote to the Vicar-General in reference to information in one of them. Evening - recited prayers and delivered a short discourse. Congregation numerous - a good many went to Confession. Retired soon after 9.

Thursday April 3rd. Rose about 7 - morning prayers in part said - recited Matins - heard Mass. Collation over - wrote for a short time. Weather wet and stormy. Meditation. Hours. Felt unwell the whole [day] - as if seasick. In the evening prayers, instruction and Confessions. A good many penitents. Answered letters - studied by turns. Children for Confirmation and 1st Holy Communion instructed and confessed from 2 to 3.

Friday April 4th. Weather a little improved. Celebrated Mass and gave instruction. Confessions numerous from 11 to 1. Took a short walk. At 7 prayers and instructions by Dr Sheil. Busy with Confessions up to 9. Children preparing for Confirmation and 1st Communion were instructed and their Confessions heard as yesterday from 2 to 3.

Saturday April 5th. Rose at the usual hour. Morning prayers - Matins and preparation for Mass. Mass. Closed the retreat or Mission. Busy until 1 - paid a short visit to a good Catholic family. Practised for the High Mass from 2 to 3. The great majority of the people approached the Sacraments - not more than 4 or 5 remained. A good many adults were Confirmed with the children. Weather much improved. Recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow.

Sunday April 6th. Morning prayers - meditation - preparation for Mass. Dedicated Church at 10. At 11 commenced High Mass. Dr Sheil preached - church crowded. Left for Belfast about ten minutes past 1 - where we did not arrive until 8. At 8.30 with sharp appetites commenced dinner.

Monday April 7th. Fatigued after yesterday did not get up till 8. Morning devotions as usual. Recited Divine Office. At 12 left for Warrnambool. Received letters from Frs Neville, Farrelly and Lenehan - the former and latter of old date. Did not make meditation till I got here. Recited Vespers and Compline. Will leave tomorrow d.v. [Deo volente] en route to Colac.

Tuesday April 8th. Heard Mass - recited a good part of the Divine Office. Started about 10 - reached Terang about 2 and Camperdown about 4.30. Here we stopped the night. This town is situated in good country - about 45 miles from Warrnambool and 36 from Colac.

Wednesday April 9th. Recited Matins and Prime after morning prayers. At 9 left for Colac - where we arrived a little after 2. Road good - hilly and narrow. At 5 attended in the Chapel - recited prayers and heard Confessions. Examined the children. Weather today and yesterday showery.

Thursday April 10th. Heard Confessions. At 9 celebrated Mass. About 45 went to Holy Communion. After Mass - preached and administered Confirmation. The Chapel is a handsome brick building. Left for Duneed about 11. Arrived in Duneed a little after 5.

Friday April 11th. Arrived in Geelong a little after 11. Recited the Divine Office. Wrote for a short time. Visited the Convent - promised to allow the reception of a Novice on Wednesday in Easter week. Gave permission to receive Miss Harty as a postulant without means, Revd. Mother having pressed for leave. Arrived in Melbourne a little after 8.

Saturday April 12th. Heard Mass this morning after the usual devotions. Recited the Divine Office. Meditation for a quarter of an hour. Went to the office about 10. Barry called - refused to have anything to say to him until he had settled with his creditors. In answer to a question put by him I stated that I believed he had the money.

Wrote letters - read for a time - heard Confessions up to 4. In the evening Confessions up to 9.30. Night prayers - rest.

Sunday April 13th. Rose early. Divine Office after a short morning prayer. Preparation for Mass. At a quarter past nine - Mass. Thanksgiving and short meditation. Read a few chapters out of Holy Writ. Read a good deal in *Bulmer*. Visited the Catechism classes in St Patrick's and St George's. Called for a few minutes at the [office?].

+Vide supra: In the evening Vespers, Sermon and Benediction.

Monday April 14th. After morning prayers and Matins celebrated Mass at the Convent. Engaged up to 12. Appointed Rev Mr Fitzpatrick to St Francis on trial - salary £100 per annum - to be provided with table. Fr Lordan declined a change to St Francis - is satisfied. In the evening preached after the Rosary - gave Benediction - heard Confessions.

Tuesday April 15th. Devotions as usual. Recited Divine Office. Mass and Confessions about 9.30. Engaged in the office up to 12.30. In the evening prayers and Confessions.

Wednesday April 16th. Morning devotions - Divine Office - heard Mass. Attended in the Confessional. Engaged with business up to 1. An hour's practice of Ceremonies for tomorrow. At 7 Tenebrae. After Tenebrae - Confessions.

Thursday April 17th. At 8 commenced the solemn service appointed for this day. 14 priests were in attendance. It was 11 before all was concluded. In the evening - Tenebrae and Confessions.

Good Friday April 18th. Did not commence the Holy Mass until 11. It was 1 when all was over including sermon. Church very much crowded. In the evening Tenebrae - sermon for the Hospital by Fr. Driscoll. Collection about £80. Confessions.

Saturday April 19th. Commenced the solemn service of this day at 8. It was 10.30 when it was concluded. Busy hearing Confessions from 2 to 4 - and in the evening to a very late hour. Had to put off a great many until next week. Felt somewhat fatigued. Weather improving.

Sunday April 20th. Morning devotions - Divine Office - meditation - preparation for Mass. At 11 commenced to celebrate High Mass. Gave the Papal Benediction. Church crowded to overflowing. In the evening Solemn Vespers and Benediction of the Most Blessed sacrament.

Monday April 21st. Devotions - Divine Office - preparation for Mass. Said Mass at the Convent. Heard Mass and Confessions in St Francis. Entertained the Clergy with a few of the laity this evening.

Tuesday April 22nd. Devotions - Divine Office - preparation for Mass. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel. Heard Mass and Confessions in St Francis. In the evening left for Geelong.

Wednesday April 23rd. Celebrated Mass at a little before 9. Assisted at the reception of a novice for the Convent of Mercy. Returned by the 1 o'clock train to Melbourne. Delayed at the Werribee to take up the Volunteers. Did [not] get to Melbourne before 5 or 4.30.

Thursday April 24th. Heard Mass this morning. Most of the day engaged preparing letters for the English mail. Visited the Orphanage. Attended night prayers and heard Confessions.

Friday April 25th. Celebrated Mass at the Convent. Went to St Francis - heard Mass and Confessions. Engaged nearly the whole of the day writing for the English mail. Attended evening prayers - heard Confessions. Wrote letters before retiring to rest.

Saturday April 26th. Rose early - after morning devotions engaged writing letters up to the time of mail closing. Wrote to the Cardinal Prefect of Propaganda in reply to a letter from him in reference to Father Birmingham - a few lines to same about Barry's accounts and notes. Wrote to Dr Delany Bishop of Cork and the Archbishops of Armagh and Dublin to the same effect. Would not have done this had he repented and showed a disposition to settle with his creditors and did not falsify accounts and make false charges in his 2 notes.

Attended meeting at University and the Conferring of degrees. Heard Confessions at the usual hours.

Sunday April 27th. Rose about 6 - prayers over - recited the Divine Office - preparation for Mass. At 8 celebrated Mass in St Francis - gave Holy Communion, exhorted. Thanksgiving. After breakfast recited the Divine Office - made meditation. Read a little out of the Holy Bible. After this read a useful religious work until 2. Visited St Francis about 3. Looked over the Catechism classes. In the evening Vespers - Sermon - Benediction.

Monday April 28th. After morning prayers recited part of the Divine Office - preparation for Mass - said Mass in the College Chapel. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - heard a few Confessions. After breakfast made meditation. Engaged in the office up to 12. Returned home. Read and studied up to dinner time. Visited the Orphanage in the evening. At 7 night prayers - Confessions.

Tuesday April 29th. Prayers - Divine Office - Mass. Went to St Francis. Heard Mass - had a few to Confession - recited Hours - meditation. Answered letters. At 1 held a meeting of the School Committee. The attendance was small. Some business done. Read and studied for an hour or better on my return home. In the evening prayers and Confessions.

Wednesday April 30th. Morning prayers - Divine Office - preparation for Mass - Mass - Thanksgiving. Heard Confessions during Mass in St Francis. Recited Hours. Meditation. Occupied with business up to 12. Returned home and read and studied at intervals until 3. A short drive in the evening. Prayers and Confessions in St Francis.