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

Friday April lst. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. A little before 7 drove to Abbotsford, where I celebrated Mass. After thanksgiving drove to St Francis - heard confessions - made my meditation. After breakfast business and letters. Mr O'Grady called. Our conversation had reference to the Industrial and Reformatory schools and the Victorian. I told him frankly my opinion of the present Editor. He ought to be removed from a situation he disgraces. In the course of the day I sent him a copy of the circular I addressed to the Clergy in reference to the Industrial and Reformatory Schools Bill now before Parliament. He said that Mr Duffy got McCullough - the present Chief Secretary - to postpone its reading till his return from Sydney. Had a long conversation with Mr O'Shanassy at my house. Wrote to Fr. Shinnick to use his influence in favour of Mr King - he is recommended by Mr O'Shanassy. Read and wrote alternately for a considerable time. Visited the Convent of Mercy for a few minutes. Dinner at the usual hour. Mr O'Shanassy dined with us. A heavy thunderstorm broke over the City during the evening. Went to St Francis about 6 - recited Vespers and Compline with Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Attended night prayers - heard Confessions - visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin's Chapel. Returned home a little after 8. Conversed with Mr O'Shanassy who stays tonight with us. About l0 retired to my room - took a hot bath and went to bed.

Saturday April 2nd. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass - recited the first 2 Hours. Commenced Mass in the College Chapel about 7. After making my thanksgiving I went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited the 2 last Hours. Heard Confessions and made my meditation. After breakfast wrote letters and transacted business in the office up to 11. Walked home - business and study engaged me. l.30 drove to Abbotsford - here I remained a short time. From [there] I drove to St Francis - recited Vespers and Compline with Matins and Lauds for tomorrow - heard a few Confessions. Returned home about 4. Weather much like what it was during the previous night - stormy - with thunder and bright flashes of lightning and heavy rain. Air close and disagreeable at times. About 6.30 went to St Francis and heard Confessions until 9. Night prayers - visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. Drove home - read for a half hour. A little past l0 took a hot bath and went to bed.

Sunday April 3rd. Morning prayers - preparation for instruction to the people. About 7.30 drove to St Francis and made my preparation for Mass. At 8 commenced Mass - gave Holy Communion - then instructed the people. Thanksgiving - heard a few confessions - drove home - recited Hours - Breakfast - meditation for a half hour. Read portions of the Imitation - a few chapters of the life of St Francis de Sales - and 3 chapters in the old Bible. This took up a good portion of the forenoon and a little of the afternoon. Wrote for a half hour - then read again until 2.30. Then drove to Abbotsford to give Benediction (and for the first time). Returned home by 4. Read a portion of one of Lacordaire's Conferences before dinner. At 7 attended Vespers in St Francis - after which a sermon was preached and Benediction was given. On my return home read a little of the life of St Francis de Sales. Night prayers. About l0 - to bed.

Monday April 4th. Morning prayers - Matins - preparation for Mass. Celebrated Mass a little past 7 at Abbotsford. After thanksgiving went to St Francis - heard a few Confessions - recited Hours - made my meditation. After breakfast read letters delivered that morning. Did business in the office till l0.30. On my return home answered letters and read until l.30. Visited the Convent of Mercy and Abbotsford between l.30 and 2.30. On my return read from 3 to 4. At 4.30 dinner. Went to St Francis about 6.30 - recited Vespers and Compline - attended night prayers - heard a few confessions - visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. On my return home I recited Matins and Lauds. About l0 to bed.

Tuesday April 5th. Morning devotions - preparation for Mass. At 7 commenced Mass in the College Chapel. After Thanksgiving I went to St. Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - heard a few confessions - made my meditation. After breakfast wrote letters - advised the Revd. Mother of Geelong not to get into debt but to apply to the Treasurer for an advance on the Orphanage vote for this year. Transacted business in the office up to 11. Walked home - wrote in reply to Bishop Wilson's letter. Visited the Convent of Mercy between l and 2. On my return wrote for a short time then read until dinner time. A little past 6 went to St Francis - recited Vespers and Compline and Matins. Attended night prayers - heard Confessions - visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. On my return home read history for an hour. About l0 to bed.

Wednesday April 6th. Morning prayers, preparation for Mass. A quarter before 7 commenced Mass. After Thanksgiving went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - heard Confessions - made my meditation. After breakfast business in the Office up to l1. Walked home. Read till close on 12. Mr. O'Shanassy called to know if I would allow the Hall of the Young Mens Society at Sandhurst to be rent[ed] to St Patrick's. I told him I could not - regretting to be obliged to reply in the negative. Conversed on other important matters until l2.30. Read till 1.30, when I visited the Orphanage and the Prahran Church. It was 3 when I returned. Had a conversation with Fr. Madden - begged of him to see Mr O'Grady and try to persuade him to put off his visit to Sydney until the Reformatory Question and the Charitable Estimates were passed.

Weather unsettled - storms of wind and rain at intervals. Read a little of the life of St Francis de Sales. Recited Vespers and Compline. After those wrote for a few minutes. Dined at 4.30. About 6 went to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds - attended night prayers - heard Confessions. Visited the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. Returned home a little after 8. Read for a short time. About 9.30 went to bed.

Thursday April 7th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass in the College Chapel. After thanksgiving went to St Francis - heard Confessions - recited Hours - made a short meditation. After breakfast wrote a few letters - and did business in the office until 11.30. Walked home and made preparation for my journey to Castlemaine en route to Carrisbrook to lay the corner stone of the new Church. At a quarter past l2 left by train. Arrived in Castlemaine at the usual time. Read most of the way. Soon after my arrival at the Presbytery I recited Vespers and Compline. Dinner at 4. Walked about for an hour after dinner. Read a little. At 7 attended night prayers in the Church. Chatted for an hour with the Clergy. About 9.30 to bed.

Friday April 8th. Morning prayers - Matins - preparation for Mass. At 8 celebrated Mass - thanksgiving. Recited Hours. After breakfast a few minutes meditation. Subject from the Imitation. Read the most of the forenoon and a good part of the afternoon. Took a long walk before dinner. Recited Vespers - Compline and Matins with Lauds. Read a few pages of the life of St Francis de Sales. About 9 to bed.

Saturday April 9th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 8 Mass - thanksgiving. Recited Hours. After breakfast - about 10.30 left for Carrisbrook - where we arrived about 2.30. The road in parts was hilly - and bad on the low flat ground. Examined the new building. They have only undertaken the Chancel. The work is good - but the amount is very small indeed. Gave most of the morning to reading. Recited Vespers and Compline. About 9 night prayers. Read for a short time before going to sleep.

Sunday April l0th. Morning prayers - Matins and Lauds, preparation for Mass. At l0.30 blessed the foundations. At 11 celebrated Mass in the unfinished Chancel, the partially raised walls being covered with canvas. The sermon was preached after Mass by the Dean of Geelong. At the conclusion of the sermon I laid the corner stone. The amount subscribed was £95. About 500 persons were present. It was l when all was over. Paid a visit to one family. Read a good deal in the afternoon. Dined at 6. After conversed with the Clergy until 9 - when I retired to my room. Night prayers - bed.

Monday April 11th. Morning prayers - Matins and Lauds - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass. Thanksgiving. Left Carrisbrook for Castlemaine at 8.30. Arrived in Castlemaine at l2 - distance 25 miles. Recited Vespers and Compline at 2. Walked a good long walk before dinner. After dinner recited Matins and Lauds. A little conversation occupied [us] until 7. Attended night prayers. About 9 retired to my room.

Tuesday April l2th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass - at 8 celebrated Mass - thanksgiving - recited Hours. After breakfast drove to Fryers Creek to see the Church that is being built there - the work and material is excellent. I was hard pushed for time to meet the quarter to l train to Melbourne. Had to leave my luggage to be forwarded by the next train. Read during the 3 hours the journey occupied. Called at St Francis and got my letters. Read a few of them before dinner. At 7 attended night [prayers] - heard a few confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. On my return home recited Matins and Lauds. Had a long conversation with Dean Slattery about the misunderstanding between himself and his clerical assistant. The latter must be removed. About l0 to bed.

Wednesday April l3th. Morning prayers preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass in the College - after thanksgiving went to St Francis - heard Mass - heard a few Confessions - recited Hours - made my meditation. After breakfast looked over one of the newspapers - wrote letters - transacted business. Left the office about 11 - walked home. Wrote from 11.30 to l.30 or close to it. Visited Convents of the Good Shepherd and of Mercy. Returned home about 3. Read and wrote alternately till 4.30. About 6 drove to St Francis - recited Vespers and Compline with Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Attended night prayers - heard Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. On my return home read for a half hour - then conversed with the Vicar-General till 9.30. Then to my room and after a little time to bed.

Thursday April l4th. Morning prayers - heard Mass - recited Hours - heard a few Confessions - made my meditation. After breakfast read letters - and answered some. Looked over one of the daily papers. Did business in the office until 11.30. From l2 to l.30 - read a useful book. Visited the Convents of Mercy and Good Shepherd between 2 and 3. On my return home read till dinner time. About 6 went to St Francis - recited Vespers and Compline - Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Attended night prayers - heard a few Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and to Our Lady's Chapel. On my return home read for some time. About 9.30 to bed.

Friday April l5th. Morning prayers - celebrated Mass about 7 in the College Chapel. After thanksgiving went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - made meditation and heard a few Confessions. After breakfast looked over one of the newspapers. Business and letters up to 11. Rode home. From l2 to l.30 study. Drove out at l.30 - visited the Orphanage and the Church at Prahran. On my return home read till 4.30. Dinner. About 6 drove to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Attended night prayers - heard Confessions - visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. Got home about 8. Read a few pages of history.

Saturday April l6th. Morning prayers - Mass at Abbotsford about 7. After thanksgiving went to St Francis - heard a few Confessions before breakfast - and made my usual meditation. At 9.30 breakfast. Read one of the daily Journals. Wrote letters in reply - regulated the order of duty for tomorrow - did other business. At 11.30 left the office for home. Read from l2 to l. Drove to Mr O'Shanassy's in order to consult him on an application to the Government for aid for the House of the Good Shepherd. Returned a little before 2. Drove to St Francis - recited Vespers, Compline and Matins with Lauds for tomorrow - heard Confessions. Left St Francis at 4. At 4.30 dinner. About 6 drove to St Francis - heard Confessions from 6.30 to 9.30. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. Night prayers then home. About l0.30 to bed.

Sunday April l7th. Morning prayers - preparation for my instruction to the people. Preparation for Mass. At 8 commenced the English prayers before Mass. Then Mass. After the Holy Communion delivered a short discourse. Having made my thanksgiving drove home. Recited Hours - made my meditation. At 9.30 or near 10 got my breakfast. Read from l0.30 to l.30. Drove out to Mr O'Shanassy's to get his opinion on the form of application and statement of accounts in relation to Government aid for Abbotsford. We have asked for maintenance for 50 Penitents at the rate of £25 per head for this year. Returned home - on the way back I called at Abbotsford for Benediction. It was given by the Priest who was with me. Got home about 4 - read till 4.30. Then dinner. About 6 drove to St Francis - assisted at Vespers and Compline - Sermon and Benediction. Returned home about 9. A short time given to conversation. About l0 night prayers - then to bed.

Monday April l8th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 celebrated Mass at Abbotsford. After thanksgiving went to St Francis - heard a few Confessions. Having previously recited Hours, made meditation. After breakfast looked over one of the newspapers - read letters - answered some. Engaged most of the forenoon and afternoon writing to the Clergy on important matters. Studied a little. Visited the Orphanage. Returned home about 3.30. Read till dinner time. About 6 went to St Francis - recited Vespers, and Compline [with] Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Attended night prayers - heard Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. On my return read for some time. About 9.30 retired for the night.

Tuesday April l9th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass - recited Hours. At 7 recited Mass at Abbotsford. After Thanksgiving went to St Francis - heard Confessions - made my meditation. At 9.30 breakfast - breakfast over, glanced at the news of the day. Read letters - replied. Did business in the office up to 11. Rode home. From 1l.30 to 1 engaged reading. Then drove to the Convent of Mercy - and the House of the Good Shepherd. Got back home about 3.30. Read till 4.30, when not occupied with business. Dinner at 4.30. About 6 went to St Francis recited Vespers and Compline and Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Attended night prayers - heard Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. Got home by 8. Half an hour's reading. A little past 9 - to bed.

Wednesday April 20th. Morning prayers - Hours - preparation for Mass - celebrated Mass at Abbotsford about 7. After thanksgiving went to St Francis - made my meditation. At 9.30 breakfast. After breakfast took a look at a newspaper - read letters and answered some of them. Busy in the office up to 11. Rode home - read and wrote alternately until l. Presided at a meeting of the Education Board - instructed the Secretary to send 4 of each agreement for Masters and Assistants to the Correspondent of each school for signature - one to be sent to the Government Board of Education, another to our Board, the Correspondents and parties to the agreements keeping one each. To write to the Board of Education - asking that St Francis Boys School might at once be declared a training school for Masters and the Sisters of Mercy's a training school for females - and to request that the Head Master might be examined. It was 2 when business was concluded.

Visited the Convent of Mercy for a short time. On my return home about 3 - wrote till 4. Dinner at 4.30. About 6 went to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Attended night prayers - heard Confessions. Visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. On my return home about 8 read for a half hour. To bed about 9.30.

Thursday April 2lst. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. Recited Prima. At 7 celebrated Mass in the College Chapel. After thanksgiving went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - heard Confessions - made my meditation. Breakfast about 9.30. Business in the office until 11. Rode home - read from 11.30 to l.30. Wrote letters for the English Mail. Visited the House of the Good Shepherd about 3. Examined the repairs and additions now being made. Returned by 3.30 - wrote letters for the English Mail. Dinner at 4.30. About 6 went to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Attended night prayers - heard Confessions - visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. On my return home read for some time before going to bed. About 10 - to bed.

Friday April 22rd. Morning prayers - Prime - preparation for Mass. At 7 commenced Mass in the College Chapel. After thanksgiving went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - heard a few Confessions - made my meditation. About 9.30 breakfast - answering letters - giving interviews and other business up to 11.

Got home a little past 11. Prepared letters for the English Mail - this occupied till l.30. Then drove to the Orphanage and the Church at Prahran. Returned home a little past 3. Looked through loose papers - destroyed a good many of them. Then wrote till 4. Weather showery but mild. Dinner at the usual time. Went to St Francis a little after 6 - recited Matins and Lauds for the following day. Attended night prayers - heard Confessions - made visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. Returned home about 8 - read for some time. About 9.30 - to bed.

Saturday April 23rd. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 celebrated Mass in the College Chapel. After thanksgiving went to St Francis. Heard Mass - recited Hours - heard Confessions - made my meditation. Breakfast at the usual time. Business and letters engaged me in the office until 11. Rode home.

From 11.30 to l - wrote and read at intervals. Visited Abbotsford. At 2 went to St Francis - recited Vespers and Compline - Matins and Lauds for the Sunday - heard Confessions. At 4 left for home. In the evening Confessions 6.30 to 9.30. On my return home conversed for a short time with the Vicar-General. Took a hot bath and then - a little past l0 to bed.

Before leaving St Francis made visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel - said night prayers.

Sunday April 24th. Morning prayers - Prime and Tierce - preparation for Mass. At 8 celebrated Mass at Abbotsford. After giving the Holy Communion to the Sisters and Penitents I delivered a short discourse on the presence of God. After thanksgiving returned home - recit[ed] the other two Hours and made meditation. About l0 breakfast. Read till a quarter to 11 - drove to St Francis. Assisted at Mass. After the Holy Communion a sermon was preached by Fr. Donevan in aid of the Orphanage at Emerald [Hill] - St Vincent's. Finished a letter to my uncle. Weather rainy. Walked home and posted such letters as I had ready for the English Mail. Read a few pages of the life of St Jane de Chantal. Then wrote till 2.30 when I start[ed] for Abbotsford to receive a convert and give Benediction.

Gave instruction to the convert - received her profession of faith - then administered Baptizm [sic] conditionally - instructed the other penitents, whom I invested in the Scapular. This ceremony concluded, I gave Benediction.

Weather very wet and cold. Returned home about 4.30. At 7 assisted at Vespers, Sermon and Benediction in St Francis. The congregation was very small owing to the very inclement weather. Returned home about 8.30. Matins and Lauds for tomorrow - night prayers - to bed about l0.

Monday April 25th. Morning prayers - Prime - preparation for Mass. At 7 commenced Mass. After thanksgiving went to St Francis heard Mass - recited Hours - heard a few Confessions - made my meditation. At l0.30. breakfast. Read letters delivered this morning. Told Fr. Bleasdale to prepare letters at once to the Education Board on the Training Schools.

Had several interviews with Clergymen on business pertaining to their Missions. Told the Vicar-General to write to Father Shinnick and inform him of [my] surprise on learning that he lived separately from the other clergymen without leave and that it is my instruction that they should live together. Fr. Moore to get a third of all stole fees after house expenses are paid and an equal share of Christmas and Easter dues. Returned home about l1.

Had a letter from the Superioress of the House of the Good Shepherd complaining of some difficulties she has to contend with in the government of her Community. I shall visit the Institute today and make inquiry. Wrote for a short time. Visited the Convent. At the request of the Revd. Mother I examined each Sister. I hope with God's grace to restore peace. A little past 3 attended a meeting of the Council of the University. Returned in time for dinner. About 6 went to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds - attended night prayers - heard Confessions. + Returned home about 8. Weather wet and cold. Read for some time - [had] a short conversation with the Vicar-General. About 9.30 to bed.

+ N.B. a visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel.

Tuesday April 26th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 celebrated Mass at Abbotsford. After thanksgiving went to St Francis - recited Hours. About 9.30 breakfast. Busy up to a quarter to 11. Left by train for Geelong. Soon after my arrival in Geelong I visited the Convent. On my return to the Presbytery I took a drive through the public gardens. Before dinner I recited Vespers and Compline. Wrote a few letters. After dinner walked in the garden for a half hour. Attended night prayers in the Church. About 9.30 retired to my room - read for a short time before going to bed.

Wednesday April 27th. Morning prayers. About l0 left for Duneed. Took refreshment there. A little past l2 left for Colac, where we arrived about 4. The road in parts is very bad. It rained during the night. Read for more than an hour after reciting the Divine Office. During the journey I made my meditation. About 9 night prayers. To bed at 10.

Thursday April 28th. Morning prayers. Heavy rain fell during the night and in the early morning. Recited Hours - made meditation. Left about l0. Weather cleared up before l2. Road very bad. Arrived in Camperdown at 4 - about a half hour later the Dean of Warrnambool arrived. Dined about 5. Spent the evening together. Read and conversed at intervals. About 9 night prayers and then to bed.

Friday April 29th. Morning prayers - Divine Office - meditation. Left at l0 for Terang. Arrived there about l - distance l2 miles - road very bad.

Dined at 3. Visited the Church site. Took a long walk in the neighbourhood of the town. The town is improving. Made arrangements to celebrate Mass in the Court House. Recited Vespers and Compline and Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Read a few pages of an interesting work after going to my room - and after night prayers. Room small and badly ventilated. To bed about 9.30. Read for some time after going to bed.

Saturday April 30th. Slept badly last night. Morning prayers - Hours - preparation for Mass - heard Confessions. At 9 commenced Mass - gave Holy Communion to 7 persons. Delivered a short discourse after Holy Communion. Advised to commence the erection of a small building in which Mass could be celebrated and school taught. They have a small sum of money already collected for the purpose. About l2 left for Mortlake or Mt Shadwell. Made my meditation as I journied along. Arrived there about 3. The Dean of Geelong had arrived by coach early in the forenoon. Visited the school. At 4 - dined. Heard a few Confessions in the evening - recited Vespers, Compline [and] Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Conversed most of the time before going to bed with Deans Hayes and Slattery. About 9 retired to my room. Night prayers. Read for some considerable time after going to bed.