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

Thursday May 1st. Did not say Mass this morning owing to indisposition. Heard Mass in St Francis - recited the Divine Office - heard Confessions. After breakfast - meditation. Business up to 12. Studied a little more than usual today - having to exhort this evening. In the evening commenced the devotions of this month - preached - gave Benediction of the the Most Blessed Sacrament. Heard Confessions afterwards.

Friday May 2nd. After prayers and Divine Office said Mass. Heard Mass - heard a few Confessions - recited Hours - meditation. Did business in the office up to 12. On my return home studied for the evening's exhortation. Evening - normal exhortation - Benediction. Afterwards Confessions.

Saturday May 3rd. Mass in the College. Heard Mass in St Francis. Recited Hours. Heard Confessions. Meditation. Business as usual up to 12. At home - engaged at intervals reading up to 2. From 2 to 4 Confessions. And in the evening the devotions for the month - and Benediction. Confessions until 9.30. Recited Matins for tomorrow.

Sunday May 4th. Rose a little after 6. Short morning prayers - made preparation for Mass. At 8 o'clock Mass in St Francis. After Holy Communion delivered a short discourse. Thanksgiving - heard a few Confessions - meditation - a little writing - a good share of reading with a little study. In the evening assisted at Vespers and sermon and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament as usual.

Monday May 5th. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel a little after 7. Went to St Francis and heard Mass - heard a few Confessions - recited Hours. Engaged in the Office up to 12. Wrote with a view to a preparation for an exhortation in the evening from 1 to near 3. At 3.30 attended a meeting of the Council of the University to consider the Statutes and Regulations. Meeting did not break up till past 5. At 6 dined - at 7 attended devotions in St Francis - heard a few Confessions.

5th May. On my return from a meeting of the Council of the University and just as we were about to commence dinner - the Geelong Advertiser [was produced] in which there was a report of a trial - Brady versus Revd. Patrick Madden - for money lent the latter - which report showed great moral guilt was attaching to the Revd. P. Madden and Revd. Dr. Barry for their conduct in the matter. The poor man lost the case - having to pay costs. I direct[ed] the V. Revd. Dr. Fitzpatrick to withdraw the leave given Madden to celebrate Mass.

6th May. The Vicar-General informed me this morning that he had told Revd. P. Madden that his faculties were withdrawn.]

Tuesday May 6th. Not feeling very well did not celebrate Mass this morning. Heard two Masses in St Francis. Recited the Divine Office - made meditation. Business up to 1. Meeting of Catholic School Committee - no quorum. At 3 attended a meeting of the Council of the University. At 4.30 dined. At 7 devotions and Confessions in St Francis.

Wednesday May 7th. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel a little after 7. Went to St Francis - recited Hours - heard Mass - made meditation - heard Confessions. Saw Mr Madden - in reply said I would have nothing more to say to him - if he had explanation to give he should send it to Rome. Left the office at 12. Called at the Convent in reference to returns asked by Government with regard to the outlay and income of Orphanage from 1859 to 62. Advised them to be made at once. Returned home and read Vespers. Visit to the most adorable Sacrament. Study for an hour. At 7 - evening devotions and Confessions.

Thursday May 8th. Celebrated Mass a little after 7 in the College Chapel. Heard Mass - recited Hours - heard Confessions - meditation. Business from 12 to 1.30. Meeting of Catholic School Committee.

Heard for the first time the case of seduction brought by Jane Hoare against Revd. Patrick Madden - an attempt by advice to procure abortion. He had previously been suspended a divinis on another charge - a charge of moral fraud - swindling a poor man thereby out of a considerable sum - the fruit of hard work.

At 7 evening devotions and Confessions.

Friday May 9th. Said Mass at the Convent - heard Mass - recited Hours - meditation.

Engaged all the morning investigating the case against [Madden] up to 1. The girl - Jane Hoare, about 15 years of age - swore in the presence of a Magistrate, Dr Charles McCarthy, myself and Dr Fitzpatrick, Dean Hayes and Rev Mich. Driscoll to all the particulars of the charge as written at her dictation by Father Driscoll. Written statement sworn to, signed by herself in the presence of the Magistrate, myself and the clergymen above mentioned.

The accused was confronted with the party accusing. The opinion of the gentlemen above mentioned was against the accused priest. They believed him guilty.

Evening prayers and Confessions at 7.

Saturday May 10th. Heard Mass this morning. Divine Office. Meditation. Business up to 12. Confessions from 2 to 3. At 3 meeting at University *adjourned until* there was a quorum. Returned home. Confessions during the evening. Devotions of May.

[Inserted from end of book:

10th May. Dr McCarthy called on me before going to the Confessional this evening in reference to Frs. Rankin and Madden's affidavits with regard to the statement of Jane Hoare that Fr. Rankin saw her with Madden in Geelong when what she charged Madden with occurred. I expressed my regret that he did not consult with me before he took their affidavits. I told him they only made the matter worse. He talked of Dr. Barry's affairs. I briefly explained - expressing however surprise that any man of ordinary mind could believe Barry's false statement as made in his Pamphlet - itself a glaring contradiction!!]

Sunday May 11th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass - meditation. At Mass - preached after the Gospel. A good many to Holy Communion. Thanksgiving. After breakfast read a good part of the life of St Carlo Borromeo. Assisted at 11 o'clock Mass. Sermon preached for the Orphans. 90 Orphans male and female present. Collection made in all the churches - amount received in St Francis £98 - ninety-eight. Wrote a little - visited a sick person. Evening Vespers - Sermon - Benediction.

Monday May 12th. Got up a little after 6. Morning prayers - Matins - preparation. A little after 7 - Mass in College Chapel. Heard Mass - recited Hours - Confessions. After breakfast - meditation quarter of an hour. Business up to 12.30. Visited Convent on way home. Collections for Orphanage £120. At 3 dinner. Evening attended devotions in St Francis. Confessions.

Tuesday May 13th. Mass in College Chapel about 7. Heard Mass in St Francis - recited Hours - Confessions - meditation. Business up to 1. Requested amendments for new bill of Education - if inserted the Bill will satisfy. Visited new Orphanage. Evening devotions and Confessions in St Francis.

Wednesday May 14th. Rose at 6.30. After prayers recited Divine Office - preparation for Mass. Mass - heard Confessions in St Francis. Engaged with business and writing letters up to 1. Wrote about 24 letters. Returned home - wrote a letter to Mrs. Maguire, Superior of Convent at Geelong. Wrote in Memo Book. Evening devotions - Benediction and Confessions in St Francis. Mr O'Shanassy dined with [me] today and dropped in about 7.30. Left at 9.30 for House of Assembly.

Thursday May 15th. Rose soon after 6. Prayers - preparation for Mass. Mass a little after 7 in College Chapel. Heard Mass in St Francis - recited Hours - heard Confessions. Examined Mr. O'Shanassy's Education Bill. Wrote letters. Clergy met at 11. Called at the Convent about 1. Evening attended devotions in St Francis - Confessions - recited Matins for tomorrow.

13th May. Examined with the Vicar-General and Dr. Bleasdale the bill of education prepared by Mr Shanassy - if passed with the amendments we suggested it may work well and give satisfaction.

13th May. Fr. Driscoll has informed me that Jane Hoare told him that she slept 3 nights in Fr. Madden's Presbytery - Keilor. That she travelled with him from Geelong to Melbourne on the 7th Jan 1861 - another female was with them. She drove out with him whilst stopping with him at Keilor

May 14th. Wrote to Mrs Maguire informing that I strictly forbid Frs. Madden and Barry being allowed to visit the Convent and reminded that I was informed that [the] former visited the Convent though forbidden to do so under pain of censure. I told her that my present prohibition implied censure.

The Clergy met today to consider what steps should be taken to put on record their opinion against the scandal [and] lies of Barry - and to express their censure of the conduct of the Creditors of Barry, at the late public meeting.

15th May. The Clergy met about 11 today to consider the proceedings of their yesterday meeting. Advised Dr. Bleasdale to resign the chair and allow Fr Smyth to take it. Barry's accounts as given in to me in his own writing submitted to the Clergy in [the] meeting.

+J.A.G. See last page of book.] [These end jottings have all been inserted into the text at the appropriate dates. Ed.]

Friday May 16th. Got up early, prayers as usual. Celebrated Mass in College Chapel - heard [Mass] in St Francis - recited Hours - Confessions - meditation. Clergy met again and passed resolutions spirited and highly creditable to them. They will appear in tomorrow's Argus. At 3 left by train for Kyneton. Left Kyneton for Castlemaine at 7. Reached Castlemaine about 11 p.m.

Saturday May 17th. It was late when I rose this morning. Felt somewhat fatigued after yesterday's work and travelling. Morning prayers over - recited Matins. Wrote copy of a Circular to the Clergy inviting them to solicit the support of their Representatives in Parliament for Mr O'Shanassy's Education Bill. At 1.30 left for Daylesford - road bad or difficult. Reached Daylesford about 8. Had to drive cautiously the last 5 miles - the night having set in. Recited Vespers before going to bed. Regulated Masses for tomorrow.

Sunday May 18th. Celebrated Mass at 9 - heard Confessions during the celebration of the next Mass. Assisted at the 11 o'clock Mass. Preached after the Ablution. Mass over - met the people and in reply to questions put said that the proceeds of mining on the Church ground should first be applied to the erection of a Church, Presbytery and School at Daylesford - afterwards to the education of students for the Church and to assisting poor Missions. All plans of buildings should be approved by me. Left for Castlemaine at 1 - reached Castlemaine about 5.30.

Monday May 19th. Rose about 7. Heard Mass - heard Confessions - recited Divine Office - neglected meditation. Left at 20 minutes past 11 for Kyneton. After a short stay in Kyneton proceeded by the 3 o'clock train to Melbourne. At 6 dined. At 7 assisted at devotions in St Francis - heard Confessions. Had a letter from Bishop of Hobarton.

Tuesday May 20th. Heard Mass in St Francis. Recited the Divine Office. Read over subject for meditation. Wrote to the Bishop of Hobarton. Sent him a copy of Mr. O'Shanassy's Bill on Education. Had a letter from the Archbishop - will meet him in Albury. Wrote letters for Europe. Visited the Convent with the Vicar-General about 1. Returned home and wrote for a half hour. Devotions and Confessions in the evening.

Wednesday May 21st. Celebrated Mass a little after 7. Heard Mass - recited Hours - made short meditation. After breakfast wrote letters. Engaged with business up to 12 in the office. On my return home wrote several letters. In the evening visited the new Orphanage - as yet unoccupied. Attended devotions in the Church. Heard Confessions.

Thursday May 22nd. A little after 7 commenced Mass. Heard Mass at 8 in St Francis. Recited Hours - heard Confessions - made meditation. Breakfast over - wrote a little. Looked over two of the daily Journals. Business soon after up [to] 12. Returned home - wrote letters for English Mail. Study for an hour. Evening devotions of May - Confessions.

Friday May 23rd. Celebrated at the usual hour in the College Chapel. Heard Mass at 8 in St Francis, recited Hours - meditation - Confessions. Business up to 12. At home wrote to Cardinal Barnabò in reference to Barry and Madden. Objected to the names sent in by the Bishops. Objected to the translation of the Bishop of Adelaide. Studied a little. Evening devotions - Confessions.

Saturday May 24th. Mass in the College Chapel. Heard 8 o'clock Mass in St Francis. Heard Confessions - recited Hours - made meditation. Busy writing for the English mail.

Sent copies of the resolutions and address of the Clergy on the Barry scandal to the Cardinal Prefect of Propaganda - to Dr Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin - Archbishop Dixon of Armagh - Dr Delany, Bishop of Cork - Father O'Shea of Cork, the Vicar-General of Cork - Bishop of Carlow - Professor Neville. Confessions from 2 to 3 - evening from 7 to 9.

Fr. Slattery arrived on Friday - saw him today. Read *his* letters.

Sunday May 25th. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel - thanksgiving - breakfast - recited Hours - made meditation. Read two Chapters in the Bible, as is my custom. Wrote letters today in order to be in time for the mail for England - which closes on tomorrow early. Posted letters about 3. In the evening assisted at Vespers - sermon and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Monday May 26th. A little after 7 said Mass in the College Chapel. Heard Mass in St Francis, finished Divine Office. Recited the Litanies. After breakfast wrote for a time - made meditation. At home - engaged up to 4. Attended meeting of University Council - Chancellor and Vice reelected. It was 6 before we dined. Mr O'Shanassy was with us. Had a long conversation on the Bill on Education now before Parliament. Hope it will be thrown out.

Tuesday May 27th. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel. Heard Mass in St Francis - Divine Office. Appointed Fr. Slattery to Daylesford. Removed Fr. Williams thence to Creswick. Meeting of Catholic School Committee at 12. Read draft of Petition against Healses' Education Bill - approved - in style it needs alteration. Returned home about 2. Wrote a little - recited Vespers etc. Evening devotions as usual in St Francis. Confessions.

Wednesday May 28th. Heard Mass this morning - recited Divine Office - made meditation. Engaged after breakfast in Office up to 12. Returned home about 1. Wrote and read at intervals. At 2 dined. Evening devotions - Confessions. Mr O'Shanassy called - looked over draft of petition against Education Bill.

Thursday May 29th. Sung Mass at 11 in St Francis. After breakfast saw Mr O'Shanassy - talked about the Education Bill and the petition against it. Will have it in print this evening. Visited Keilor. Fr Moore absent. Got home a little after 4. Dined - after dinner studied for an hour. Attended the devotions in St Francis - heard Confessions. Examined proof of petition. Had copy sent to Mr O'Shanassy.

Friday May 30th. Celebrated Mass in College Chapel. At 8 went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Divine Office. After breakfast looked over the dailies - received visits on business from Clergymen and laics. Had a conversation with Mr Hough in reference to a weekly Journal he intends starting in the Catholic interest. Told that all insertions of a religious nature should be submitted to me first - on this condition I would give it my support and would continue it dum se bene gesserit [all the while it remained well conducted].

He left a prospectus with me for consideration. I fear as a purely religious paper it will not succeed - told him as much. However we shall see about it. Returned home. Read the prospectus carefully over. Will consult the Clergy now in Melbourne about it. Made meditation - recited Vespers etc. Evening devotions of May. Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament as usual. Confessions.

Saturday May 31st. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel. Heard Mass. Recited Hours. Short meditation - Confessions. Engaged up to 12. Studied from 12.30 to 2. Confessions from 2 to 4. Evening Confessions commenced at 7 as usual. Recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow.