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

Monday December 1st. At a little before 7 commenced Mass. After thanksgiving went to St Francis, heard Mass, recited the Divine Office, heard Confessions. Read a chapter in the Imitation [of Christ]. A little after 9 left the confessional. Breakfast - meditation - answered letter from the Convent of Mercy, Geelong. Wrote for a short time. Read a part of a sermon of Newman - on hour's study of Canon Law - after reading up to 2.30 - Vespers and Compline. At 7 night prayers, Confessions.

Tuesday December 2nd. Celebrated a little before 7. Heard Mass - recited Divine Office - heard Confessions - made meditation. When not engaged with business, read. At 12 went to Keilor to see the church, new roofing there. Do not like the timber. Returned a little before 3. After dinner took a short drive. At 7 night prayers - Confessions. Recited Matins for tomorrow - studied a little Canon Law.

Wednesday December 3rd. At 7 celebrated Mass at the Convent. Heard Mass at St Francis - recited the Divine office - heard Confessions - made meditation. After breakfast studied when not engaged. A little after 12 to call at the Convent to see a Postulant. Saw her - allowed of her being admitted as a Postulant. Returned home by 1. Read a chapter or so in Canon Law. At 6.30 went to Richmond to open the Mission. Gave out the Rosary - delivered a short discourse. Heard Confessions up to near 9. Returned home.

Thursday December 4th. This morning left for Richmond about 8. Celebrated Mass at 9. Gave instruction after the 1st Gospel. Heard Confessions from 11 to 1 - made meditation. Drove out and made a few visits. Returned [at] 4 - recited Vespers and Compline. At 7 gave out the Rosary - instruction - night prayers - Confessions up to 9 - other clergymen assisted. Slept at Richmond.

Friday December 5th. Mass at 9 - resident Clergyman celebrated at 8. He preached at my Mass - Confessions from 11 to 2. Paid a few visits. At 7 recited Rosary - gave instruction - night prayers - Confessions up to 10. Read a little before retiring to rest. Vespers and Compline.

Saturday December 6th. Left early this morning for Melbourne. Recited Matins - heard Mass in St Francis - made meditation. Remained in the office until 10.30 - returned to Richmond - busy all day up to 4 hearing Confessions. Returned to Melbourne about 6. Went to St Francis, recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Heard Confessions without interruption up to 10.30.

Sunday December 7th. Rose at 6 - washed and dressed - morning prayers - meditation. At 7.30 left for Richmond - heard a few Confessions - made a short preparation for my instruction to the people - preparation for Mass. Gave Holy Communion to about 250 persons at the 9 o'clock Mass. Administered Confirmation after a short discourse to about 40 of both sexes - children and adults. At 11.30 commenced Mass. After the 1st Gospel preached. Examined account books and registers. Returned to Melbourne about 2. Visited the classes of the Christian Doctrine in St Patrick's, and Collingwood girls school. Attended Benediction in the Convent. At 6.30 went to St Francis - recited Hours. At 7 assisted at Vespers, sermon and Benediction.

Monday December 8th. Celebrated Mass at the Convent at 7. Went to St Francis - heard Confessions - recited Divine Office - meditation - business up to 12. Visited the Convent - gave permission to a Postulant to commence the Novitiate. Returned home about 1. Wrote a little - read a little of Canon Law. Meeting of the Catholic School Committee. Engaged until 3. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Tuesday December 9th. At 7 Mass - heard Mass afterwards - recited Hours - meditation. At 11 left for Ballaarat - where we arrived about 3.30. After dinner visited the new Church. Purpose visiting Missions in neighbourhood tomorrow.

Wednesday December 10th. Celebrated Mass a little before 8. Today visited Coghills Creek, Clunes and Creswick. School teachers at Coghills Creek intend leaving. The Chapel at Clunes not approachable, the steps being removed. Called the attention of the resident to this. Children are too few to allow of a school being opened here. The reserve at Creswick is enclosed with a good fence. It was past 7 when we got back to Ballaarat. Foot very painful.

Thursday December 11th. Heard Mass this morning. Recited the Divine Office - made a short meditation. Left for Melboure by the 11.30 train. Reached Melbourne a quarter to 4. After dinner read for a short time - recited Vespers and Compline. Attended night prayers - heard Confessions.

Friday December 12th. Heard Mass this morning - recited the Divine Office - heard Confessions - wrote letters - made meditation. Business up to 12. Studied from 1 to 2.30. Recited Vespers and Compline. Went to St Francis about 6.30 - recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Attended night prayers - heard Confessions.

Saturday December 13th. About 7 celebrated Mass - thanksgiving made, went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - heard a few Confessions. Remained in the office until 12. Got a few letters via Marseilles. They do not contain anything of importance. The Nuns of the Good Shepherd had not left. Read from 12 to 2. Heard Confessions and recited during the intervals Matins for tomorrow. Dined at 4.30. Returned to St Francis about 6.30 - heard Confessions until 10.30. Arranged order of duty for tomorrow.

Sunday December 14th. Rose at 6 - dressed, said morning prayers - made preparation for Mass. At 8 commenced Mass. Gave instruction after the Holy Communion. Thanksgiving - recited Lauds - after breakfast recited Prime - on my return home recited Hours - made meditation - from 11 to 12 read a part of the Book of Leviticus - from 12 to 2 read a useful religious work. At 2.30 visited the Convent and St Mary's - on my return read until dinner time. At 7 attended Vespers, sermon and Benediction in St Francis.

Monday December 15th. Mass at 7. Heard Mass in St Francis. Recited Divine Office - made meditation - heard Confessions. Business in the office up to 12. Drove out to Heidelberg. The pastor was not at home. Returned about 2.30. Studied a little Canon Law. In the evening night prayers and Confessions.

Tuesday December 16th. Rose at 6. Morning devotions over, preparation for Mass - at 7 Mass - thanksgiving - went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Divine office - heard Confessions - made meditation. Revd. Kums to my surprise turned up - told that he would not be employed in his diocese - he importuned (How little shame!) to return to this diocese. On my return from the office about 12.30 - read for an hour Canon Law de proprio ordinationis episco[po]. From 2 to 3 studied something else. Night prayers and Confessions at 7.

Wednesday December 17th. Celebrated Mass a little before 7. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - made meditation - heard Confessions. Engaged in the office up to 12. Studied a good deal today. In the evening opened the retreat at Prahran. Recited Rosary - gave instruction - recited night prayers - heard Confessions. The attendance was pretty good.

Thursday December 18th. Rose soon after 6. Morning devotions over, left for Prahran. Preparation for Mass - recited the Divine Office. At 8.30 commenced Mass. Delivered a short discourse after the 1st Gospel - Confessions from 11 to near 1. Made a few calls. Went to Melbourne to appoint a time for the examination of the two students for the order of Subdeacon. Dine[d] at Prahran. Read as preparation for instruction this evening. At 7 Rosary - gave instruction, recited night prayers. Heard Confessions until 9.30. Returned home - engaged from 10 (or a little after) to 11 examining students.

Friday December 19th. Left for Prahran about 7.30. Heard Mass - recited the Divine Office - meditation - Confessions. Went to Saint Francis a little after 10. At 11 was present for a short time at a Musical Exhibition of our Common School children. From 12 to 1 o'clock examination of the students for the Holy order of Subdeacon. Presided for a short time at the exhibition in the Convent school. Begged Mr O'Shanassy to take my place and distribute the prizes. Left for Prahran. Engaged hearing Confessions from 2 to near 4. In the evening, Rosary - night prayers. Confessions up to 9. Returned to Melbourne. Made necessary arrangements for ordination tomorrow.

Saturday December 20th. Rose a little before 6. Morning prayers over, made preparation for Mass. A little after 7 commenced Mass. Gave Subdeaconship to Messrs. Gallen and Neagel. Had previously warned them not to present themselves unless they felt, so far as they were capable of judging, that they were called to the Sacred Ministry by God. When all was over, went to Prahran. Heard Confessions in the forenoon and in the afternoon up to 4. Dined at home. From 7 to 10 heard Confessions in St Francis. Studied for tomorrow's discourse at intervals. Recited Matins and Lauds about 4 in the afternoon.

Sunday December 21st. Rose a little before 6. Prayers recited, studied for a short time. At 8 left for Prahran. Heard Confessions. Gave Holy Communion to about 140 at 8 o'clock Mass. The Chapel was crowded - many kneeling outside. At 11 commenced Mass - preached after the 1st Gospel. Gave Holy Communion to 20. After Mass gave Benediction. All was over by 1. Visited the Convent between 2 and 3. Read a little of the Bible - recited Hours - made meditation. At 7 assisted at Vespers - Benediction, sermon. Spoke to the people on the necessity of subscribing to the Catholic Association. A little after 10 retired to rest.

Monday December 22nd. Commenced Mass at 7. Heard Mass in St Francis - heard Confessions. Directed Fr O'Donoghue to recite the Divine office with the students. Detained in the office until 12. Meditation. Wrote for a short time. Study till 3, took a short drive after dinner. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Tuesday December 23rd. Commenced Mass at 7. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited the Divine Office - heard Confessions. Business and study in the office until 12. At home read for an hour. Wrote letters for the home mail. Will send to the Holy Father £280, last instalment of Peter's Pence for this year. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Wednesday December 24th. Heard Mass this morning - recited the Divine Office - heard Confessions - meditation as usual - engaged in the office up to 12. Wrote letters for the Home Mail. Enclosed letter for Cardinal Barnabò with Bill of Exchange £280 for the Holy Father, under cover to the care of Dr Heptonstall. Posted letters. A letter to the Supervisor of the Oblate Fathers Dublin for a community to establish a Reformatory. Confessions from 2 to 4. And from 7 to 10.30.

Thursday December 25th. Commenced the 1st Mass at 8 - celebrated the 2nd immediately after. At 11 commenced the Solemn Mass - gave the Papal Benediction - church crowded - weather cool and pleasant - in the evening Solemn Vespers and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The usual private devotions were performed during the day.

Friday December 26th. At 7 Mass - heard Mass in St Francis - recited the Divine Office - meditation. Wrote a few letters for the English Mail. The Vicar-General sent a remittance of £100 to Dr Heptonstall for the Catholic Association.

Took a short drive before dinner. In the evening at 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Saturday December 27th. Rose at the usual hour - 6. Morning prayers over, recited the Divine office - preparation for Mass. At 7 commenced Mass. Went to St Francis after thanksgiving - heard Mass - recited the Divine office - heard Confessions - made in part my meditation. After breakfast resumed meditation.

Made appointments of teachers to schools vacant and about being vacant. Called at the Convent for a few minutes. Wrote from 1.30 to 2. Confessions from 2 to 4 and from 7 to 10. Recited Matins for tomorrow.

Sunday December 28th. Rose a little before 6. Devotions over, made preparation for Mass. Studied for a short time the subject of my instruction to the congregation. At 7 Mass - after the Holy Communion delivered a short discourse. After thanksgiving heard a few Confessions - meditation - recited Hours. On my return to St Patrick's about 10 resumed meditation - after which, read the Holy Scriptures for an hour - an hour's Canon Law - visited the Convent - nuns enter retreat this evening. Visited the Collingwood new Chapel school and St Mary's North Melbourne. At 7 assisted at Vespers, sermon and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament in St Francis.

Monday December 29th. Not feeling well did not celebrate this morning - heard Mass in St Francis - recited Divine office - heard Confessions - meditation. Remained in the office until 12. Visited the Orphanage. Read a little on my return. At 7 night prayers and Confessions. Recited Matins for [tomorrow].

Tuesday December 30th. Was unwell a good part of the early morning - from 2 till 6. Dressed and washed at 6 - recited Divine Office - morning prayers - heard Mass in St Francis - heard Confessions - recited Divine Office - meditation.

Made arrangements for preliminary meeting on 8th prox. [i.e. 8th January] for relieving creditors of St Patrick's College. Wrote to Dr Sheil apprizing of the time of spiritual retreat for the clergy. Left the office a little before 1 and went to Heidelberg - returned about 3 - recited Vespers and Compline. Wrote afterwards until 4.30, the time for dinner. At 7 evening prayers, Confessions.

Wednesday December 31st. Celebrated Mass at the Convent at 7. Heard Mass in St Francis, recited Hours - heard Confessions, meditation. Business in office up to 12. Read till 1. At 1 meeting of School Board - meeting not attended by more than one lay member. No quorum. Mentioned appointments and removals. Went to St Francis about 2. Heard a few Confessions - recited Vespers and Compline and Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Arranged order of duty for tomorrow. Returned to St Patrick's a little before 4 - changed clothes.

Strong wind blowing from the north - thermo[meter] in the verandah at St Francis 105o at 2 o'clock.

[Notes: £6 each for bed, stretcher iron[:] McEwen, Elizabeth Street]