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

Sunday December 1st. Rose soon after 6. Devotions - made preparation for Mass. After Communion - gave Holy Communion to a very large number - male and female. Administered Confirmation to about 300 - gave them a short instruction. It was 11 when all was over - though begun about 8. Read and wrote in the afternoon. Went a short way into the country. Read for a time after returning. Recited Vespers - attended prayers in the church - gave Solemn Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Monday December 2nd. Celebrated Mass this morning at 8.30. At 12.30 distributed premiums to the pupils of the Convent School. At 4.30 left by train for Melbourne. Weather wet - heavy rain falling at intervals.

Tuesday December 3rd. Morning devotions - recited in part Martins - preparation for Mass - short thanksgiving. Heard Mass in St Francis. Heard a few Confessions. After breakfast read newspapers. Meditation. No meeting of School Committee. Ordered letter to be written to the Board about salary to Singing Master. A short walk - read a little before dinner. Evening attended night prayers - heard Confessions.

Wednesday December 4th. Devotions and part of the Divine Office over - made short preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass - thanksgiving. Heard Mass. Heard a few Confessions. Collation. Looked over newspapers. Read letters - answered a few. Requested Dr Bleasdale to prepare copy of resolutions and memorial on the Mission praying an increase of grant for Education next year. Visited the Convent. Read and studied a little before dinner. Studied a little in the evening. Night prayers and Confessions.

Thursday December 5th. At 7 Mass. Heard Mass and a few Confessions. Read and answered letters. Meditation. Paid a few unavoidable visits. Wrote for a short time before dinner. After dinner took the siesta. At 6.30 went [to] St Francis - night prayers - Confessions.

Friday December 6th. Rose early - morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass - thanksgiving - heard Mass. Recited Hours. Meditation. Letters and business up to 1. Walk - reading and a little study before dinner. Evening - night prayers and Confessions.

Saturday December 7th. Heard Mass this morning after morning prayers. Recited Divine Office - heard Confessions. Read and answered letters. Study and business up to 12. From 2 to 4 Confessions and from 7 to 10.30. At 11 retired to rest.

Sunday December 8th. Rose about 6 - said in part morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 said Mass - gave instruction after the first Gospel - gave Holy Communion. Read a good part of the morning and afternoon. At 4.30 dinner. Evening Vespers etc.

Monday December 9th. Celebrated Mass at the usual hour. Heard Mass and Confessions - meditation. Wrote letters - engaged in business up to 1. A short walk. At 3 o'clock dinner. Read before dinner. Evening Confessions and prayers.

Tuesday December 10th. Mass at the usual hour. Heard Mass - recited Divine Office - Meditation. Meeting of School Committee. Letters. Left the office about 2. Dinner at 3. Evening at 7 attended in St Francis for prayers and Confessions.

Wednesday December 11th. At 7 or a little after - Mass. Heard Mass - recited Hours - meditation. Business and letters from 10 to 12. Walked to the house. Read for an hour. Vespers. Evening - night prayers, Confessions.

Thursday December 12th. Duties religious and secular much the same as yesterday. Time given to study and reading. Evening - night prayers and Confessions.

Friday December 13th. Morning devotions. Mass at the usual time. Heard Mass - recited Hours - meditation. Business - letters - a short time for study. Evening - night prayers and Confessions.

Saturday December 14th. Heard Mass - recited Divine Office - meditation. Business and letters up to 12. Walked to the house. Confessions from 2 to 4 and from 7 to 10.

Sunday December 15th. Mass and instruction at 8. Thanksgiving. Returned home from St Francis. Studied and read until 2. Visited St George's and St Francis at the hour for the Christian Doctrine. Evening - Vespers - Benediction and Sermon.

Monday December 16th. Religious duties as usual. Business and letters between 10 and 12.30. Studied a little. Evening - night prayers and Confessions.

Tuesday December 17th. Morning devotions - Divine Office - Mass. Heard Mass. Heard Confessions. Breakfast - meditation. News of the day. Letters. Attended examination of the Convent School children. Time from 11 to 4. Most satisfactory. Evening - night prayers and Confessions.

Wednesday December 18th. Rose at 6. Morning prayers - Divine Office. Examination of students for Minor Orders and one for the Holy Order of Deacon. Preparation - Mass at 8. Messrs Gallen, Nagle and [blank] were promoted to Tonsure and the 2 first Minor Orders. Revd. Neville was ordained Deacon. Attended examination of the children of the Catholic Schools of Melbourne - in St Francis Hall. Time from 11 to 3. At 3 dinner. Examination of children most satisfactory. Evening - night prayers and Confessions.

Thursday December 19th. Heard Mass this morning. Confessions - Meditation. Evening attended academy in St Patrick's College.

Friday December 20th. Celebrated Mass and gave the two last Minor Orders to Messrs Gallen and Nagle and priesthood to Mr Neville. At 12 attended examination of the children of the female schools in Melbourne. At 2.30 was present at a musical performance by them. Evening - Vespers and Confessions.

Saturday December 21st. Not feeling well this morning - did not celebrate Mass. Heard Mass - recited Divine Office - Confessions - meditation. From 2 to 4 and from 7 to 10.30 Confessions. Studied for tomorrow's instruction.

Sunday December 22nd. Celebrated Mass at 8 - gave instruction. Day occupied with Divine Office, study and pious reading. Wrote a few letters for England. Evening - Vespers - Sermon and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Monday December 23rd. Heard Mass this morning. Recited the Divine Office. Meditation - Confessions. Wrote to the Bishop of Canton China to send us two native missionaries to Evangelize the Chinese residing in this Diocese. Studied a little. Evening - night prayers and Confessions.

Tuesday December 24th. Celebrated Mass. Wrote a note to Dr. Barry giving leave to go to Geelong for tomorrow but told him to abstain from all duty but the celebration of Mass. When speaking to him afterwards he said he was busy preparing the College accounts. Engaged most of the day hearing Confessions and in the evening I was so engaged up to a late hour.

Wednesday December 25th. Christmas. Celebrated two Masses at St Patrick's. At 11 commenced the Pontifical Mass. Read and studied at intervals during the day. In the evening Solemn Vespers - Papal Benediction and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Thursday December 26th. Mass in the College Chapel. Heard Mass and Confessions. Between 11 and 12 was informed of Barry's clandestine and scandalous departure on yesterday from the Colony. A bad - very bad man. Wrote to the Bishop of Colombia [Colombo], Ceylon in reference to his scandals. Sent his suspension to the care of the Roman Catholic Priest Point de Galle. The Vicar-General posted these letters at Sandridge. Mr O'Mara released from his obligations to this diocese.

Friday December 27th. Celebrated Mass at the Convent. Heard Mass. Engaged up to 12 in the office.

Saturday December 28th. Engaged all day and evening from 7 to 10.30.

Sunday December 29th. Left by quarter [to] 8 train for Geelong. At 11 commenced Mass - preached after 1st Gospel. Preached in the evening after Vespers. Service not over till 9.

Monday December 30th. Left for Melbourne by the 10 minutes past 8 train. Busy nearly the whole afternoon about the unhappy affairs [of] Dr. Barry. Difficulties are multiplying. May God help me. Confessions in evening.

Tuesday December 31st. Heard Mass this morning not feeling well enough to celebrate. Busy in the office. The letter received last night from Dr. Barry is full of untruths - untruths known by him to be such. Learned from Mr Gason that he had obtained in advance on next year some of the pensions for the boys attending the College. What wickedness!!

Papers for Teachers salaries sent into the Board a week ago.

Ed. Moroney applicant for a school

Testimonials good. 25th April

Mission of Ballaarat concluded on Quinquagesima Sunday. Monday following examined Registries and Account Books. Not much due on the new Church. It does not exceed £200.