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

Tuesday August 1st. I offered up the Holy Mysteries at the usual hour 7.30. From 8.30 to a little past 9 I attended in the Confessional. From 11 to 1 I was engaged in receiving visits, on business some of them, answering letters and at intervals reading such works as were useful and interesting. At 1 I visited one of the neighbouring Missions. In the evening about 7 I entertained a large party of Catholic gentlemen. I find by experience that these reunions promote amongst that class the interests of our holy religion. It was 11 when they left.

Wednesday August 2nd. I arose this morning a little before 6 and having dressed I entered upon the spiritual exercises of a retreat previous to the celebration of the anniversary of my consecration, which took place on the feast of the Transfiguration 1848. At 7 I offered up the Holy Sacrifice. Having made my thanksgiving I said a portion of the Divine Office. At 9 I took breakfast. At 9.30 I commenced my spiritual reading, which I continued to a quarter past 10, concluding with a short prayer before the Most Blessed Sacrament. I next finished the small Hours. At a quarter past 11 I made my meditation, which I concluded with a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. At 12 the Angelus and spiritual reading. From 1 to 2 recreation. At 2 Spiritual reading until 3. The Vespers and Matins for the following day together with a short meditation engaged me until 4. Spiritual reading and a visit to the Blessed Sacrament from 4 to 5.

[A leaf missing?. Ed.]

Saturday August 5th. .... by the interruption through the absence of penitents in reading the Divine Office and study. I had dinner at 5. At 6.30 I resumed the duties of the Confessional, in which I was engaged until 9. At 10 I retired to rest.

Sunday August 6th. This being the anniversary of my consecration I celebrated High Mass at 11 at which I conferred Minor Orders and the Orders of Sub-Deacon and Deacon on three students of our Seminary - Eugene O'Connell received Deacon's Orders, P. Farrelly those of Sub-Deacon and O'Connell was admitted to Minor Orders. In the evening we had solemn Vespers and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. A sermon was preached this evening on the Gospel of the day. At 10 I retired to rest.

Monday August 7th. Nothing occurred to interrupt the usual order of duty and study. At 7 I celebrated Mass, after which I heard Confessions until the Divine Office. Study and business occupied my attention during the day except the time devoted to recreation and meals. At 5 we dined. I assisted at night prayers and heard Confessions immediately after. I retired to rest at 10.

Tuesday August 8th. Mass at the usual hour. Confessions from 8 to 9. After breakfast I finished the Small Hours. Visited two of the public schools to-day and examined the children in the Christian Doctrine. They answered very well. Returned to the Presbytery at 4 and finished the Divine Office of the day. Dined at 5. At attended night prayers, after which I heard Confessions. At 10 I retired to rest. Octave day of the Assumption.

Wednesday August 9th. I offered up the Holy Sacrifice this morning at 7.30. I heard a few Confessions before breakfast. Nothing out of the usual routine of duty and study occurred to-day. In the evening at 7 I assisted at night prayers after which I heard Confessions. I retired to rest at 10.

Thursday August 10th. The feast of St Lawrence. I said Mass at the usual hour, after which I heard Confessions until 9. I visited the schools of St Francis and St Augustine to-day. The children are very much improved in their religious and secular knowledge. The proficiency made by the children in the St Francis in the Christian Doctrine was most satisfactory. Dined at 5. Attended night prayers - heard Confessions and retired to rest at 10.

[Section missing. Ed.]

1 June: Octave of the Ascen[sion]. The first Com[munion] of the children

4 June: Opening of Prahan School and Confirmation

9 [June?]: Ordination [as deacon, of Eugene O'Connell?]

23 [September]: Ordina[tio]n Mr O'C[onnell] priest

24th Sunday [Sept]: Laid the first stone of the Williams town school