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

Tuesday January 1st. Celebrated High Mass in St Francis. Solemn Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament after Mass. Studied for a short time - wrote letters - visited the Convent. In the evening I attended night prayers in St Francis. The number present was unusually large.

Wednesday January 2nd. Offered up the Holy Mass in the College Chapel. Engaged with business and writing letters up to 1. Took a short walk. In the evening attended night prayers in St Francis.

Thursday January 3rd. Said Mass at the usual hour. Heard Mass in St Francis at 9. Transacted business up to 1. The usual walk before dinner. Finished Divine Office according to custom before dinner. Evening - night prayers and Confessions.

Friday January 4th. The Holy Mass over, went to St Francis where I heard the 9 o'clock Mass. The usual time for business from 9.30 to 1 - this morning to 2. After the walk before dinner, Divine Office, study. Evening - night prayers - Confessions.

Saturday January 5th. Celebrated Mass at 7.30. After breakfast went to St Francis and heard the 9 o'clock Mass. Business, writing and study up to 2. Confessions from 2 to 4. Evening from 7 to 9.30.

Sunday January 6th. At 7 commenced Mass in St Francis and gave instruction. Heard the 8 o'clock Mass. Admitted a few to Confession. Read and studied during the day. Visited two of the schools - not Catechism there - vacation In the evening attended Vespers - Sermon and Benediction in St Francis.

Monday January 7th. Said Mass in the College Chapel. Heard Confessions during the 8 o'clock Mass in St Francis. Clerical retreat commences this evening. Visited the Orphanage.

Tuesday January 8th. Celebrated Mass at the Convent. Heard 8 o'clock Mass in St Francis. Confessions. Studied during the greater part of the day.

Wednesday January 9th. Part of morning prayers and Divine Office over before 6. Celebrated for the subscribers to the Catholic Association at the Convent. Study and reading nearly the whole day - heat intense.

Thursday January 10th. Mass at the Convent about a quarter [to] 7. Heard Mass at 8 in St Francis. Had a few to Confession. Studied and wrote during the day. Heat intense. In the evening attended prayers in St Francis. Confessions.

Friday January 11th. This morning the Clerical retreat concluded with Mass, Holy Communion and a short lecture. Competitive examination for situation of Assistant Master in St Francis Training School. Engaged in the office up to 1.30 - visited Convent. At 4 o'clock Clergy dined with us. Evening prayers, Confessions.

Saturday January 12th. Not feeling well this morning, did not say Mass, but heard the 8 and 9 in St Francis. Occupied in the [office] as usual up to 1. Visited the Convent on business. Confessions from 2 to 4. In the evening again up to 10.

Sunday January 13th. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel early. Assisted at the 11 o'clock Mass in St Patrick's. Studied and read a good part of the day. Visited St George's, St Mary's and St Francis at 3 - when children were assembled or assembling for Catechism. Attended Vespers, sermon and Benediction at St Francis.

Monday January 14th. Celebrated Mass at an early hour in College Chapel. Heard the 9 o'clock Mass in St Francis. Admitted a few to Confession. Office business up to 1.30. Read a good deal today. Letters from England. Night prayers - Confessions.

Tuesday January 15th. At 7 said Mass at the Convent. Engaged up to 1. Left at 2 by steamer for Belfast. Weather fine till night when it came on to rain and a head wind.

Wednesday January 16th. Landed at Warrnambool at 8.30. Weather cloudy and wet. At 12 proceeded by land to Belfast.

Thursday January 17th. Morning devotions and duty over early. Solemnly blessed and dedicated new church at 10.30. Celebrated High Mass soon after. In the evening visited Cemetery. Recited the De Profundis and oratio over Fr. McEvey's grave. Distance from Belfast 12 miles.

Friday January 18th. Left for Melbourne via Warrnambool by steamer. Weather cooling. Father O'Rourke died. R.I.P.

Saturday January 19th. Landed at Sandridge a little after 9. Attended office and Mass for Fr. O'Rourke in St Francis Church. Accompanied remains a short distance to Kilmore. Confessions in the evening.

Sunday January 20th. Rose a little before 5. Celebrated Mass and left for Kilmore to attend the funeral of Fr. O'Rourke. Returned to Melbourne about 8 in the evening.

Monday January 21st. Feeling a little unwell this morning did not celebrate but heard Mass. Busy as usual during the day. Wrote letters in reply. Studied a little. Night prayers and Confessions.

Tuesday January 22nd. Divine Office recited. Said Mass at 7.30. Engaged up to 12.30 preparing for the English Mail. Meeting of Catholic School Committee at 1.30.

Wednesday January 23rd. Morning devotions over said Mass at 7.30 in the College Chapel. Heard Mass in St Francis. Wrote letters for the English Mail. Attended examinations in St George's School. Studied a little. Evening Confessions and prayers - St Francis.

Thursday January 24th. Celebrated 7.30 Mass in St Patrick's. Heard the 9 o'clock in St Francis. Occupied all the morning preparing letters for [the] home mail and other business. Evening Confessions - night prayers.

Friday January 25th. Heard the 8 o'clock Mass in St Francis. Frs. Branigan and O'Donohoe appointed to Kilmore. Government Salary £150 - a £100 of which to be received by the former and £50 by the latter. Fees, Christmas and Easter dues to be equally divided. Engaged as usual the whole of the morning up to 12.

Saturday January 26th. Heard Mass this morning in St Francis. Studied and wrote during the morning and at intervals during the day. Confessions in the afternoon and evening.

Sunday January 27th. Celebrated at 7 and gave instruction. Heard a few Confessions and recited parts of the Divine Office during the celebration of 8 o'clock Mass. Commenced to write Pastoral for Lent. Evening attended Vespers, Benediction and Sermon in St Francis.

Monday January 28th. Went to Geelong today - called at the Convent. Made arrangements for the visitation on tomorrow. Examined the accounts of the Mission [of] Geelong.

Tuesday January 29th. Celebrated Mass at the Convent. Held a Visitation immediately. Said I would not object to any returning to Europe when they had provided substitutes approved by me and Rev Mother. This is not to be done at the expense of the Diocese. Returned to Melbourne.

Wednesday January 30th. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel about 7. Heard Mass in St Francis. Studied - wrote a great part of the day. In the evening attended night [prayers] and heard Confessions. Opened Retreat at Prahran.

Thursday January 31st. This morning celebrated Mass and gave instruction at Prahran. Heard Confessions during the day. Evening - night prayers, instructions - Confessions.