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

Saturday June 1st. Morning devotions. Divine Office and Meditation as usual. Left for Kyneton. In the evening heard Confessions. Read at intervals. Made preparation for tomorrow's duty.

Sunday June 2nd. Morning prayers - Divine Office - meditation. Preparation for Mass. Dedication of church commenced at 11. Celebrated Mass. Dr Sheil preached. Collection £244. Evening - night prayers - delivered a short discourse. Benediction of Most Blessed Sacrament. Retired to rest soon after 10.

Monday June 3rd. Left at 8 for Melbourne - where we arrived about 2.30. Looked over letters. Recited Vespers. Read until 4. Attended night prayers. Heard Confessions.

Tuesday June 4th. Heard Mass in St Francis. Divine Office - Meditation. Wrote letters after breakfast. Meeting of Catholic School Committee at 1. From 2 to 3 - read. Evening - night prayers and Confessions.

Wednesday June 5th. Rose soon after 6. Morning prayers - Divine Office - preparation for Mass. Mass. Heard Mass afterwards. Admitted a few to Confession. Wrote to the Archbishop. Read until near 1. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Thursday June 6th. Morning devotions - Divine Office. Mass. Heard Mass afterwards in St Francis. Confessions - breakfast. Meditation. Wrote letters. Read at intervals. Walked out for a short [time]. On my return read until dinner. Evening - at 7 - prayers and Confessions.

Friday June 7th. Time occupied as yesterday. Nothing particular occurred.

Saturday 8th June. Heard Mass this morning. Religious duties as usual. Wrote a few letters. Heard Confessions during the day - and up to 9 at night.

Sunday June 9th. Morning devotions - Divine Office. Mass at 8 - gave instruction - administered the Holy Communion. Evening Vespers. Sermon and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Monday June 10th. Morning devotions. Divine Office. Heard Mass. Delivery of English Mail. Busy reading letters. Engaged in business up to 1. Evening - night prayers - Confessions.

Tuesday June 11th. Devotions as usual. Divine Office. Mass. Heard Mass. Engaged writing a short address to the people in favour of the collection for the Holy Father. Meeting of the Catholic School Committee.

Wednesday June 12th. Morning devotions. Mass. Heard Mass. Small Hours. Confessions - Meditation. Business and letter writing up to 12.30. Some reading between 2 and 3. Evening prayers and Confessions.

Thursday June 13th. Mass at the usual hour. Time reserved for study and answering letters. Evening prayers and Confessions.

Friday June 14th. Religious duties occupied me, as usual, up to 9.30. After breakfast read and answered letters. Engaged in office up to 1. Short walk before dinner. Devotions and duties in evening as usual.

Saturday June 15th. Mass at a little after 7. Heard Mass. Recited Small Hours. Breakfast over - read and answered letters. Business. Returned to the house about 1. Confessions from 2 to 4. Night from 7 to 10.

Sunday June 16th. Celebrated Mass at 8. Preached after the 1st Gospel. Heard a few Confessions. Finished the Divine Office. Read for an hour. Returned to St Patrick's. Read during a great part of fore and afternoon. Evening Vespers - Benediction - Sermon.

Saturday June 29th. Celebrated Mass. Heard Mass and Confessions. Meditation. Wrote letters. Tomorrow the annual collection for the Holy Father will be made. Confessions between 2 and 4 and between 7 and 10.

Sunday June 30th. Morning devotions. Divine Office. Preparation for Mass. At 11 sung Mass in St Francis. Read during the afternoon. At 7 Vespers - sermon and Benediction. Said a few words on the collection for the Pope.