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

Saturday November 1st. Mass at 7 in the College Chapel. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - made meditation. Remained until 10.30 in the office.

Bishops met a little before 11. Meeting broke up about 3 or a little [after]. Important business was transacted today. Went to St Francis for Confessions after the meeting. Dined at the usual hour on Saturdays.

At 7 or before commenced hearing Confessions and was so engaged until 10.30. Read a little before night prayers.

Archbishop will sing Mass in St Francis at which the Bishops of Hobart and Brisbane will assist.

Sunday November 2nd. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel. Went to St Francis. Studied for the little I intended to say at St Mary's. Went to St Mary's about 10.30. At 11 commenced the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the additions to the school Chapel. The concourse was great. This over, I went into the Chapel and addressed the people. I left soon after, before the celebration of Mass. I assisted with the other Bishops at the High Mass in St Francis. Took Bishop Wilson out for a short drive. In the evening assisted at Vespers in St Francis. The Bishop of Hobart gave Benediction. The Bishop of Brisbane gave Benediction in St Patrick's.

Monday November 3rd. Celebrated Mass a little before 7. Went to St Francis and heard Mass, recited Hours, heard Confessions. Remained in the office until past 12. We had no meeting today. Drove out in the evening before dinner. Called on Messrs. O'Shanassy, Duffy and Archer. At 5 dinner. A few priests and laymen were present and remained until 11. A little after 7 I went to St Francis and heard a few Confessions.

Tuesday November 4th. Did not celebrate this morning. Heard Mass in St Francis - recited the Divine Office - heard Confessions - made meditation. Engaged in the office until 11. Returned home, had a short conversation with Bishop Wilson and the Archbishop. Wrote a little - recited Vespers and Compline. Met at 2. Archbishops read the Pastoral to the Clergy - a few verbal alterations suggested. Proofs to be examined by us tomorrow. Meeting broke up a little before 5. O'Shanassy and Archer dined with us. At 7 night prayers and Confessions in St Francis.

Wednesday November 5th. Mass at 7. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Divine Office. Wrote to Fr Smyth. Returned to St Patrick's about 12. Wrote a little.

At 2 the Bishops met - the resolution to have inserted in the Observanda that the money belonging to each Mission be lodged to the credit of the Bishop and resident Clergyman was allowed to lapse, leaving each Bishop to deal with the case as he may think advisable - other business was done - meeting closed at 3.

Opened the Mission for the laity at Williamstown about 7. Heard Confessions - returned to Melbourne by the 9 o'clock train.

Thursday November 6th. Commenced Mass a little after 6. Heard Mass in St Francis. Divine Office - heard Confessions, meditation. Read over and approved of Declaration of Trust for Clerical Relief Society. Business - a little study up to 12. Meeting of bishops about 1. After dinner went to Williamstown to assist at the Mission.

Heard a good many Confessions after prayers. Returned to Melbourne by train. Reached home about 9.

Friday November 6th. Commenced Mass before 6. Heard Mass, recited Hours, made meditation, heard Confessions. Bishops met a little after 10 today. It was late before we broke up. In the evening went to Williamstown. Gave out prayers as usual. Dean Hayes gave his concluding lecture. Heard Confessions to within a short time of the train starting. Got home about 9.30.

Saturday November 8th. Heard Mass, recited the Divine Office, made meditation, heard Confessions. Business in the office up to 11. Bishops met and nearly concluded their important business. Dined early. Went to Williamstown. Heard Confessions until late. Recited Vespers and Compline. Made a short preparation for discourse to the people on tomorrow.

Sunday November 9th. Rose about 6 - recited Matins after morning prayers. Studied for a short time - made preparation for Mass. A little after 8 commenced Mass. About 150 approached the Holy Communion. The number of men was large. Thanksgiving, short meditation. After breakfast wrote a little of what I intend to say to the people on the Gospel and the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation. Attended at 11 o'clock Mass. After Mass addressed the congregation, and administered Confirmation to about 80 children and adults. The Mission which now concluded was, thank God, fruitful in Divine Grace. A great many who had been long absent from their religious duty availed themselves of the occasion to approach the Sacraments. Returned to Melbourne by the 2 o'clock train. The Bishop of Brisbane went to Geelong yesterday. In the evening the Archbishop gave Solemn Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament in St Francis.

Monday November 10th. Heard Mass - recited Divine Office - meditation. After breakfast occupied with business up to 1. Bishop of Brisbane has not returned. The Bishops did in consequence [not?] meet. Studied and wrote at intervals until dinner. In the evening attended prayers in St Francis, heard a few Confessions.

Tuesday, November 11th. Mass a little before 6. Heard Mass. Bishops met early today. The Archbishop went to Geelong. Evening, attended in St Francis - heard Confessions.

Wednesday November 12th. Commenced Mass about 5.30. Heard Mass in St Francis, recited Divine Office, heard Confessions. Engaged in the office up to 12. At home studied and read until 3.30. Archbishop returned. In the evening attended night prayers and heard Confessions. Retired to rest a little after 10.

Thursday November 13th. Mass at 6. Heard Mass in St Francis - heard Confessions - recited Hours. Left the office a little after 10.

Meeting of Bishops. At this meeting we concluded the business that brought us together. The acts confirmed are wise and prudent - and necessary for good government and discipline. May God bless our endeavours to carry them out.

The Archbishop left for Sydney at 1. I saw him on board the steamer. At 2 held a meeting of the Clergy at which they passed two resolutions by which they engaged to co-operate to raise subscriptions to relieve the creditors of Barry who should prove their claims in connection with his gross mismanagement of the College. They dined with me. Evening prayers and Confessions.

Friday November 14th. Mass at 6 - went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - heard Confessions. Engaged in the office up to 12. Compared proof of Bishops' Pastoral with 1st proof. The Bishop of Hobart read it over with me. The Bishop of Brisbane was absent - could not await his return, the Bishop of Hobart being anxious to get copies before leaving.

Great squall with dust, followed by rain. Weather in the evening cool. At 7 prayers and Confessions.

Saturday November 15th. Heard Mass. Accompanied the Bishop of Hobart to his steamer, Royal Shepherd, which leaves at 9 for Launceston. Returned to the office and remained there until 12. At St Patrick's read over the corrected copy of the Pastoral. It will do and shall be read in Melbourne tomorrow. Confessions from 2 to 4 and from 7 to 9.30.

Sunday November 16th. Mass at 8. Read the Pastoral Address at the Mass. The number to Holy Communion at the 7 and 8 o'clock Masses was very considerable. After thanksgiving made meditation and recited Hours. Read a religious work after breakfast. At 10 returned home - read a little of the Bible - looked over a portion of Moral Theology and a little Canon Law. At 2.30 left to visit St George's and St Francis - the children assembled for Christian Doctrine were numerous in St George's and in St Francis a little more numerous than formerly. Bishop Quinn dined with Mr O'Shanassy. At 7 attended Vespers, sermon and Benediction in St Francis.

Monday November 17th. Mass at 6.30 - heard Mass in St Francis, recited Divine office - made meditation. Remained in the office until 12. Accompanied the Bishop of Brisbane to the steamer in which he leaves at 1 for Sydney. Read a little Moral Theology and Canon Law. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Tuesday November 18th. At 7 commenced Mass. After short thanksgiving went to St Francis. Heard Mass, recited Divine Office - made meditation. Remained in the office until 12. Mr Quinlan called in reference to something being said in the Victorian in reply to attacks made in the other journals on me. I advised an explanation plain and calm without offensive allusion to anyone. Called for a few minutes at the Convent. From 1 to 3 wrote and studied at intervals. Saw Mr Quinlan again the evening and advised not to publish anything on the subject. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Wednesday November 19th. Mass at 7. Went to St Francis afterwards and heard Mass - heard a few Confessions - made meditation. In the office when not engaged with business or writing read Tocqueville on Democracy in America. On my return studied a little of Canon Law. Dinner as usual at 3. At 7 went to St Francis - assisted at night prayers - heard Confessions.

Thursday November 20th. Heard Mass this morning in St Francis - heard a few Confessions, recited the Divine Office - meditation. Business up to 11. Left for Geelong. Called at the Convent about 4. Examined the person to be received tomorrow and two postulants. Visited the Orphanage and St Augustine's school. At 5 dined - recited Divine Office - studied a short time.

Friday November 21st. Morning prayers, Divine Office. At 10 commenced the ceremony of the Reception. Commenced Mass after giving the candle to the Novice. After Mass concluded the solemn ceremony with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Went as far as the Moorabool viaduct. Spent a few hours pleasantly in an adjoining garden. At 5 dined. Returned to Melbourne by the train leaving Geelong at 9 p.m.

Saturday November 22nd. Not feeling very well, I did not celebrate - heard Mass in St Francis, recited the Divine Office, heard a few Confessions - made meditation. Engaged in the office up to 12. Had letters from the Archbishop and the Bishop of Hobart. Answered by this day's mail for Sydney the former. Confessions from 2 to 4. Wrote for a short time before dinner. Before leaving for St Francis studied for a short time. From 7 to 9.30 Confessions. Recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow.

Sunday November 23rd. Rose at 6 o'clock. Angelus. Washed and dressed - morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 8 commenced Mass in St Francis. After Holy Communion delivered a short discourse on the Gospel. Before breakfast read a chapter in Thomas à Kempis. Returned to St. Patrick's at little past 10. Read for an hour the Holy Scriptures - then made my meditation. After this wrote for a short time. Read the life of St Clement P.M. [Pope and Martyr]. Wrote a few letters, some for the English Mail. Walked as far as the Convent - after half an hour returned home - visited St Patrick's boys assembled for Catechism - about 90. Wrote for a half hour. Dinner at 4.30. At 7 assisted in St Francis - owing to the gas not being on so as to light well the church, we had to light candles. We had night prayers instead of Vespers. Sermon and Benediction after prayers.

Monday November 24th. At 7 Mass - after thanksgiving heard Mass - recited Hours - heard Confessions. Busy writing letters for the English Mail up to a quarter of 7 - excepting meal times. Attended night prayers - heard Confessions. Engaged writing until 10.30. At 11 went to bed.

Tuesday November 25th. Rose about 5 - dressed - said morning prayers - Commenced writing letters. Sent apology with letter to Cardinal Barnabò, Prefect of Propaganda - the apology was from the creditors of the unhappy priest Barry. Enclosed the Cardinal's letter to Dr Heptonstall via Marseilles.

Heard Mass - recited Divine Office - made meditation. Resumed writing and was so engaged until near 2. Read until 2.30 - Vespers and Compline. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

[At back of volume:

Tuesday November 25th Gave Fr Riordan to return a draft for £10.2.0 from a Mr Sheehan for a Miss Burke to whom it was to be paid if she would return to Ireland. She declined to return. Draft was drawn in the favour of Right Revd. Dr Goulding - instead of Goold.

Fr Riordan is to register the letter containing the draft.]

Wednesday November 26th. Mass at 6. Heard Mass in St Francis - recited Hours - meditation. Busy until 11.30. At 12 left for Bendigo - arrived about 4.30. Hot wind all day. Said a few words at a meeting of the Young Men's Society. Retired to bed early.

Thursday November 27th. Rose at 6. Morning prayers said, recited the Divine Office, made meditation and preparation for Mass. Mass at 8 - thanksgiving; after Mass visited the town and advised the sites for churches etc. should be at once selected and applied for. More clergy are need[ed] on this vast Mission. At 12 left by train for Melbourne. The Vicar-General stopped at Castlemaine. Arrived in Melbourne at 4.30. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Friday November 28th. Rose at 6 - washed and dressed - morning prayers - Divine Office - preparation - Mass - thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Divine Office - meditation. Looked over one of the daily journals. Wrote a letter - then read as business permitted.

Returned to St Patrick's a little after 12. Read for an hour Canon Law - then a chapter or two in Gury's Moral Theology. Wrote for a short time. At 3[?] dinner. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Saturday November 29th. At 7 celebrated Mass - after thanksgiving went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Divine Office - heard Confessions - made meditation. After breakfast looked over one of the journals. When not occupied with business, read. At 12 left the office and returned home. Read a little Canon Law and a little Gury. Returned to St Francis about [ ]. Remained there for Confessions until 4. Recited at intervals Vespers and Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. At 4.30 dinner. At 7 returned to St Francis and heard Confessions up to 9.30. About 11 retired [to] my room - read a little - night prayers - rest.

Sunday November 30th. Rose at 6 - washed and dressed - morning prayers - preparation for Mass. Read a pious book in preparation for a short discourse to the people. At 7 went to St Francis - read a few prayers for Mass. At 8 commenced to recite English prayers before Mass - then Mass - after giving the Holy Communion delivered a short discourse on the advantage of our Christian vocation. After thanksgiving heard a Confession or two - recited Hours. Breakfast over, returned home - made meditation - then read a few chapters in the Old Testament - next wrote for [a] short time. Read one of Newman's sermons. Visited St Augustine's and St Francis at the hour for Catechism. Attendance very good. At 7 assisted at Vespers - sermon and Benediction [in] St Francis.