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

Monday January 1st. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass - Hours - meditation. At 11 commenced Solemn High Mass in St Francis. Thanksgiving. Breakfast at 1. Read till 2. Made several visits between 2 and 4. Vespers and Compline. At 4.30 dinner. At 6.15 took a short drive. Attended in St Francis at 7 to recite prayers and give Solemn Benediction. Confessions till 8. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady's Chapel. Home. Recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. About 10 to bed.

Tuesday January 2nd. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7.15 celebrated Mass at the Convent - Abbotsford. Thanksgiving. Hours. Attended in St Francis to hear Confessions - meditation - Breakfast. Busy in the office till 11. From 12 to 2 study, now and then interrupted to attend to business. Went across the Bay to Williamstown where I remained till 3.30. Returned to Melbourne 4.15 - recited Vespers and Compline. Dinner a little later than usual. At 6.30 Matins and Lauds. At 7 night prayers - Confessions - visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Read the Dublin Review for an hour. About 10.30 to bed.

Wednesday January 3rd. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass - Hours - at 7.30 celebrated Mass at Abbotsford. Thanksgiving. Had an interview with the Sisters who lately arrived (at their request). They complained that the Clergymen who travelled with them were a little too strict with them. The Revd. Mother complained of the Assistant Revd. Mother - disobedience and want of respect for her Superior were the chief charges. She is to be replaced by one of the sisters who lately came out. Went to St Francis - heard Confessions - made my meditation. Breakfast at 9.30. Engaged in the office until near 11. Walked home. We dine at Brighton today. An early dinner and in the open air. Returned to Melbourne about 5.45. Recited Vespers and Compline. At 7 gave out night prayers. Heard Confessions - visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Recited Matins and Lauds. Read the Dublin Review for a short time. About 10 to bed.

Thursday January 4th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass in the College Chapel - thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - heard Mass. Hours - Confessions - meditation. At 9.30 breakfast. Business in the office until 11.30. Walked home. Study till 2. Took a walk to the public gardens. Returned a little before 4. Recited Vespers and Compline. Dinner at 4.30. About 6.15 Matins and Lauds - night prayers at 7. Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Read for an hour. About 10 to bed.

Friday January 5th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass - thanksgiving. Hours. Went to St Francis, heard Mass - Confessions - made meditation. Breakfast at 9.30. Engaged in the office till 11.30. From 12 to 1 Spiritual reading. Study till 2. Took a short drive - making a visit. Returned about 4. Recited Vespers and Compline. Dinner at 4.30. At 6.15 went to St Francis. Confessions till 9.30. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Night prayers. About 11 to bed.

Saturday January 6th. Morning prayers - Matins - Lauds and Hours - preparation for Mass. At 11 commenced High Mass in St Francis. At 12.30 thanksgiving. Breakfast about 1. Meditation. At 2 presided at a chapter of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd for the election to offices. The present assistant Revd. Mother was removed - and a successor elected. I delivered a short discourse on obedience before announcing the result of the election. Recited Vespers and Compline - Matins and Lauds - when at St Francis heard a few Confessions. Returned home about 4. Dinner at 4.30. Confessions from 6.30 to 10. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Night prayers. Home. About 11 to bed.

Sunday January 7th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass - preparation for instruction to the people. At 8 commenced Mass. After the Holy Communion delivered a short discourse - thanksgiving - Hours - meditation. A little past 10 breakfast. Spiritual reading. Heard Mass and the sermon in the sacristy of the Cathedral at 11. At 12 the Angelus. Wrote for a short time. Then read a chapter in the Old Testament with the notes - and part of an article on a theological subject in the Dublin Review. About 2 went to the Convent of the Good Shepherd Abbotsford - gave Benediction. Visited the Penitents - addressed them for a half hour. Next visited the Juvenile Reformatory class - delivered a short exhortation to the children in this class. The number of Penitents is 43 - amongst them are a few Protestants - the number of children in the Reformatory class is 20. From this Convent I went to that of the Sisters of Mercy. Saw Revd. Mother for a few minutes.

Home. Recited Vespers and Compline Wrote a little. Then read till dinner time. At 6.30 Matins and Lauds. At 7 presided at Vespers and sermon in St Francis. Benediction. Returned home about 9. Read till 10. Night prayers - bed.

Monday January 8th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. Prima. At 7.30 celebrated Mass in the Chapel of the Sisters of Mercy Nicholson Street - thanksgiving - Hours - went to St Francis. Remained a half hour in the Confessional - made my meditation. Engaged in the office until 10.30. Walked home. An hour's Spiritual Reading. Wrote a little. Study till 4. Vespers and Compline. Dinner at 4.30. A little past 6 Matins and Lauds. At 7 attended night prayers in St Francis - heard Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Read the Dublin Review for a half hour. To bed about 10.

Tuesday January 9th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass in the College Chapel - thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - Hours - heard Mass - Confessions - meditation. At 9.30 breakfast. Engaged in the office up to 11. Called on Dr Brownless on my way home to get his advice with regard to a pain in the leg which comes and goes quite suddenly - and whilst it continues is most excruciating - it does not last more than a few minutes. Read from 11.30 to 12. Study till 2 which was occasionally interrupted to attend to business. Made a few necessary visits between 2 and 4. At 4 Vespers and Compline. Dinner. At 6.15 went to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds - night prayers - Confessions - visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Read for an hour. To bed about 10.

Wednesday January 10th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass in the College Chapel. Thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - Heard Mass - Hours - Confessions - meditation. At 9.30 breakfast. Business in the office until 11.30. Walked home. Called for a few minutes at the Convent of Mercy. Busy all this day preparing my Lenten Pastoral. At 4 Vespers and Compline. Dinner. About 6 or a little past went to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds - attended night prayers as usual in the Church - Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Read for an hour. To bed about 10.

Thursday January 11th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass in the College Chapel - thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - heard Confessions - made my meditation. Breakfast at 9.30. Busy in the office until 11.30. Study and business filled up the time till 2.30. Called at Mr O'Shanassy's and the Convent of the Good Shepherd. At 4 Vespers and Compline. Dinner. Went to St Francis about 6.15 - recited Matins and Lauds - joined in public night prayers - Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Read for an hour. To bed a little past 10.

Friday January 12th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass in the College Chapel - thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - Hours - Confessions - meditation. At 9.30 breakfast. Engaged in the office until 11.30. Walked home. From 12 to 1 study. At 1.30 presided at a meeting of the Catholic School Committee. At 3 visited Mr O'Shanassy. Returned home about 5 - dinner. At 6.30 Vespers and Compline - Matins and Lauds. Night prayers. Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Read for an hour. To bed about 10.

Saturday January 13th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass. Thanksgiving. Heard Mass in St Francis. Hours - Confessions - meditation. Breakfast at 9.30. Engaged in the office till 12. Engaged from 12 to 2 with Mr O'Shanassy. Vespers and Compline - Matins and Lauds - Confessions. Dinner at 4.30. Confessions from 6.30 to 9.30. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. To bed about 11.

Sunday January 14th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 8 Mass in St Francis - preached after the Holy Communion. Thanksgiving - Hours - meditation. Spiritual reading. A little past 10 breakfast. Spiritual Reading till 11. Heard Mass and sermon in the Cathedral. Study from 12.15 to 2.30. Visited St George's and St Francis Sunday Schools. A good long walk. At 4 Vespers and Compline. Dinner. Matins and Lauds. Assisted at Vespers in St Francis - preached. One of the Clergy gave Benediction. Night prayers. Home. Read for an hour. At 10.30 to bed.

Monday January 15th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass in the College. Thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - Hours - Confessions - meditation. Breakfast at 9.30. Busy in the office up to 11.30. Engaged at home writing and reading alternately until 2. Drove to Pentridge where I dined with the Clergyman. Returned to St Francis for night prayers - Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. The day was oppressively hot. The wind blew strongly from the N[orth]. Drove to St Kilda. Returned home about 9. Recited Matins and Lauds. Hot wind still blowing. To bed about 11.

Tuesday January 16th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. Mass at 7 in the College - thanksgiving. Heard Mass in St Francis. Hours, Confessions - meditation. Breakfast at 9.30. Hot wind still blowing. Heat oppressive. Busy in the office until 11.30. Walked home. All day within doors. Engaged preparing Lenten Pastoral - just finished it - not as yet revised. At 4 Vespers and Compline. Wind has turned round to the South. About 6.15 Matins and Lauds - night prayers in St Francis. At 7 Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Read for an hour. At 10 to bed.

Wednesday January 17th. Morning prayers. Went to Geelong by the first train. Recited Hours and made my meditation during the journey. Breakfasted at 9. At 11 assisted at a profession of a Sister of Mercy. Mass was celebrated by one of the Clergy. The Bishop-elect of Adelaide preached. Went to the Convent after the ceremony - gave the habit to a lay sister - gave Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Returned to Melbourne about 4. Dinner at 5. At 6.30 Matins and Lauds. Attended night prayers in St Francis - Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home - read for a short time. To bed about 10.

Thursday January 18th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass in the College Chapel. Thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - Confessions - Hours - meditation. Breakfast at 9.30. Occupied in the office until 11.30. Walked home. Engaged the whole of the day preparing my Pastoral except when obliged to attend visitors and business. At 4 Vespers and Compline. Dinner at 4.30. At a quarter past 6 Matins and Lauds. At 7 night prayers - Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Read for an hour. At 9.30 to bed.

Friday January 19th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass - thanksgiving. Breakfast at 9.30. Business in the office up to 11.30. Home. From 12 to 2 occupied. Took a short drive - returned about 4. Vespers and Compline. Dinner. At 6.15 Matins and Lauds. Night prayers at 7. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Read for an hour. About 10 to bed.

Saturday January 20th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass - thanksgiving. Heard Mass in St Francis - Hours - meditation - Confessions. Breakfast at 9.30. Arranged the order of duty for tomorrow. Engaged in the office up to 11 and at home from 11.30 to 1.30. Visited Abbotsford for a few minutes. Vespers and Compline. At 2.15 Matins and Lauds - Confessions in St Francis till 4. Dinner at the usual time. From 6.30 to 10.30 Confessions - night prayers. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. About 11.30 to bed.

Sunday January 21st. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass - Hours. At 11 solemnly blessed the new Church of St John the Evangelist in Hoddle Street Collingwood. Celebrated High Mass. The Bishop-elect of Adelaide preached the sermon. About 2 took breakfast. Read till 4. Then Vespers and Compline. At 6.30 Matins and Lauds. Presided at Vespers in St Francis - sermon - Benediction. Night prayers. To bed about 10.30.

Monday January 22nd. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass in the College Chapel - thanksgiving. Afterwards heard Mass in St Francis - Hours - Confessions - meditation. At 9.30 breakfast. Busy in the office till 11.30. Walked home. Occupied all day in revising the Pastoral - as yet in manuscript - not satisfied with it. Had to grant several interviews to Clergymen and laymen. The Clergy's Spiritual Retreat commences this evening. At 4 Vespers and Compline. Dinner at 5 - a large body of the Clergy at dinner. One of the Jesuit Fathers conducts the Retreat. At 7 gave out the night prayers in St Francis. Confessions - visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home - Matins and Lauds. Read after this till 10 - then to bed.

Tuesday January 23rd. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. Hours. At 7 Mass at the Convent of the Good Shepherd. Thanksgiving. Heard Mass in St Francis. Confessions - meditation. At 9.30 breakfast. Busy in the office until 11. Walked home. Revised Pastoral - sent it to be printed - will revise it again in proof. After this occupied writing till close on 2.

Visited the boys Orphanage at Emerald [Hill]. The two Aborigines (boys of 8 and 6 years old) seemed quite at home in the school. Returned home about 3.30. Read till 4. Then recited Vespers and Compline. Dinner at 4.30. About 6.15 Matins and Lauds. At 7 night prayers - Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Read for a short time. Had a long conversation on missionary matters with a German Jesuit who goes to Adelaide - thence he will after some time proceed to the North to establish a Mission among the Aborigines. About 10.30 to bed.

Wednesday January 24th. Morning prayers. Preparation for Mass. Hours. At 7.15 celebrated Mass in the Convent at Abbotsford - thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - meditation - Confessions. Busy in the office till 11. Walked home. Busy writing letters for the English mail the whole of the day - except short intervals given to urgent business - and a quarter of an hour's walk before 4. At 4 recited Vespers and Compline. Dinner at the usual time. About 6.15 Matins - Lauds after night prayers and Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Read for some [time]. About 9.30 to bed.

Thursday January 25th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. Hours. At 7.15 celebrated Mass at the Convent of the Good Shepherd. Thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - meditation - Confessions - breakfast at 9.30. Busy writing for the English mail. A little past 11 posted the letters myself. From 12 to 1.15 busy. Visited a Clergyman who was dangerously ill. He is better - and I trust out of danger. Returned home. Wrote for a short time. Read till 4 - then Vespers and Compline. Dinner at 4.30. About 6.30 Matins - at 7 night prayers. Lauds. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Read a little. Conversed with a clergyman till 9.30. About 10 to bed.

Friday January 26th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. Hours. At 7.30 celebrated Mass for the Clergy on Retreat - gave them Holy Communion. Delivered a short exhortation to them. Read the Observanda. Thanksgiving. Gave interviews to them after breakfast. Revised the proof of the Pastoral. Read for an hour. Took a walk with Fr Kelly to the Botanic gardens. Returned about 3.15. Wrote a little. Vespers and Compline. Dinner at 4.30. About 6.30 Matins. At 7 night prayers. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Read for a short time. To bed about 9.30.

Saturday January 27th. Morning prayers - preparation. At 7 Mass in the College Chapel. Thanksgiving. Hours Prime and Tierce. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - Confessions - Hours Sext and None - meditation. At 9.30, breakfast. Revised second proof of Pastoral and corrected it. After this arranged the order of duty for tomorrow. Left the office at 11.30. Walked home. Wrote till 12.30. Read till 1.30. Then went to St Francis - recited Vespers and Compline, Matins and Lauds - Confessions. At 4.30 dinner. Confessions from 6.30 to 10. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Night prayers. Home. To bed about 11.30.

Sunday January 28th. Morning prayers, preparation for Mass. Hours Prime and Tierce. At 8 Mass. Preached after giving the Holy Communion. Thanksgiving, Hours Sext and None, meditation. At 10 breakfast. Spiritual reading till 11. Heard Mass in the Sacristy of the Cathedral, sermon preached by the Priest who celebrated. Study from 12.15 to 2.30. Visited St Francis Sunday School, the attendance was pretty good of boys and girls - about 300. Returned home about 4. Recited Vespers and Compline. Dinner. At 6.30 Matins and Lauds. Presided at Vespers in St Francis, one of the Jesuit Fathers preached. Benediction. Returned home about 8.30. At 10 night prayers - bed.

Monday January 29th. Morning prayers, preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass - Hours - thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - made meditation. Heard a few Confessions. At 9.30 breakfast. Busy in the office until 11.30. Walked home - occupied until 3. Then attended a meeting of the Council of the University - this was not over till 6. Dined on my return home. At 7 attended in St Francis for night prayers and Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Returned home a little past 8. Recited Vespers and Compline. About 9.30 to bed.

Tuesday January 30th. Morning prayers, preparation for Mass. Matins. At 7 Mass. Thanksgiving. Went to St Francis. Divine Office - meditation - Mass - Confessions. At 9.30 breakfast. Left the office about 11. Walked home. Another revision of proof of Pastoral. This is a task I don't relish at all. Wrote for a half hour. Then read till 1.30. Went out to make a visit - returned about 3.30. Read till 4. Vespers and Compline. Dinner. About 6.30 went to St Francis. I was a little late for night prayers. Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Matins and Lauds. Conversed with some of the Clergy for an hour. About 9.30 to bed.

Wednesday January 31st. Morning prayers, preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass. Thanksgiving, Hours. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - made meditation - heard Confessions. Engaged in the office until 10.30. The[n] returned home. Engaged, with short intervals of interruption to attend to business, with study and reading till 2.30. Dr Sheil and the Vicar-General left for Tasmania for a visit and for change of air at 9. They will reach Launceston tomorrow evening. Called at Abbotsford on the way back. Got home about 4. Recited Vespers and Compline. Dinner at the usual hour. At 6.30 Matins and Lauds. At 7 night prayers in St Francis, Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home. Read for some time. To bed about 10.