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

Tuesday November 1st. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass - at 8 celebrated Mass in St Francis - gave holy Communion - thanksgiving - heard a few Confessions. Returned home - took a little to eat. The Doctor - noticing something serious in the swelling in my face - forbade me to leave the house and advised me to foment the part swollen. Nearly the whole of the day I was thus engaged. Did a little business - wrote a few letters. Recited the Divine Office - night prayers - to bed - but not to rest. Spent a most restless night.

Wednesday November 2nd. Could not celebrate nor hear Mass this morning. Morning prayers - recited Hours. So ill today that I was unable to do anything but follow out the instructions of the Dr. Now and then read a little - recited Divine Office. Retired early after night prayers.

Thursday November 3rd. Slept but little last night but feel thank God a good deal better. Morning prayers - Hours - meditation - very short. Much occupied during the day - wrote about fourteen letters - this fatigued my mind a good deal. Recited Vespers and Compline and Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Spiritual reading occupied the time not given to business and other matters. About 10 night prayers - then bed.

Friday November 4th. Morning prayers - Hours - meditation. Looked [over] one or two of the dailies. Spiritual reading - only interrupted when to attend to business or the Doctor's instructions. This is my birthday - age 52. Wrote to Bishop Wilson enclosing him the copy of a letter written by him to the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster condemnatory of Lotteries and other games of chance for pious purposes. Recited Vespers and Compline and Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Made a visit in spirit to the Most Blessed Sacrament. Spiritual reading. I renew all my good resolutions. O God help in thy holy service - and in my good resolutions - and grant that I may now begin to live virtuously - since I have hitherto done nothing. Engaged the whole of my time. Prayer - spiritual reading or other useful reading occupied the hours until late. About 10 night prayers - bed.

Saturday November 5th. Morning prayers - heard part of Mass - recited Hours. Had conversations on business with some of the Clergy - made my meditation - looked over one of the newspapers - spiritual reading. Wrote a letter to the Archbishop. Arranged the order of Masses for tomorrow. Sent a telegram to Dean Hayes stating that the doctor would not allow me to leave for Sandhurst to open on tomorrow the new Church at Miers Flat. Told him to celebrate the opening himself. Spiritual reading till 2 then recited Vespers and Compline. Visit in spirit to the Most Blessed Sacrament Wrote for a short time. Spiritual [reading] till 3. Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Spiritual reading till dinner - 4.30. Not being able to hear Confessions I devoted the whole of the evening to useful religious reading.

Sunday November 6th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7.30 commenced the holy Mass. Thanksgiving - took a cup of coffee. Recited Hours. Attended to medical instructions for a few minutes - made my meditation.

After this read history till 12. From 12 to half past read the life of St Peter Alcantara. Then wrote letters to the Clergy who had not as yet made in their Missions the annual collection for the Orphanage. I was thus engaged up to a quarter to 2. Attended the recitation and explanation of a chapter in the New Testament by one of the students in the College Chapel. This occupied a little better than a half hour. Vespers and Compline. Read a useful work till 4.30. Dined. About 6.30 recited Matins and Lauds. The remainder of the evening up to 9.30 was devoted to suitable reading. Night prayers - bed.

Monday November 7th. Morning prayers. Not being quite well, I did not celebrate this morning. Recited Hours - made my meditation. Looked over two of the dailies. Had conversations on business with several of the Clergy. Letters - received and answered. When not engaged in the business of the diocese I employed my time in study and useful reading. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother of God between 1.30 and 2. Recited Vespers and Compline. Read till 4.30. Dinner. A little past 6 recited Matins and Lauds. Spiritual reading till 9.30. About 10 night prayers - bed.

Tuesday November 8th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. Whilst present at part of the 7.30 Mass recited Prime and Tierce. At 8 commenced Mass - thanksgiving. During the celebration of the next Mass I recited the other small Hours. Made my meditation. After breakfast looked over the newspapers - Spiritual reading - except when I had to read letters and attend to other business until 12.30 or 1. Visited the Orphanage - the first time I have been out since my illness. They had two deaths - owing to relapse. Two others are in a precarious state. All the others who have had fever are, thank God, convalescent.

Returned home about 3. Visited the Cathedral works - recited Vespers and Compline - visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Wrote for a short time. Dinner at the usual time. About a few minutes past 6 went to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds. Attended night prayers - heard a few Confessions - visit to the most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Mother. Returned home about 8.30. Read till 9 a religious book. About 10 to bed.

Wednesday November 9th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 commenced Mass - thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - recited Hours - heard Confessions - made my meditation - heard Mass. Looked over one of the morning papers. Business - at intervals read. Left the office at 11. Rode home. Reviewed the correspondence with reference to the Asylum at Abbotsford. Visited the Convent of Mercy and Abbotsford - returned home a little before 3. Answered a letter received from the Geelong Convent. Wrote for a half hour. Recited Vespers and Compline. Dinner at the usual time. A little past 6 went to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds - attended night prayers - heard Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Mother. About 8 home. Read till 9 - to bed about 9.30.

Thursday November 10th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 celebrated Mass at the Convent of Mercy - thanksgiving - refreshment. Went to St Francis - recited Hours - heard a few Confessions - made a few minutes meditation. Engaged in the office up to 11. Rode home. Wrote for a short [time].

Conversed with one of the Clergy about the solemn opening of a small Church in one of the neighbouring Missions. Fixed the day for this ceremony. Studied till 1.30. Drove out with the Vicar-General. Called at the Orphanage. Visited the Clergyman at Richmond. About 4 returned home - recited Vespers and Compline. Dinner at 4.30. In the evening a little past 6 went to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds - attended night prayers - heard Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin. Returned home, read for an hour. About 9.30 to bed.

Friday November 11th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 commenced Mass in the College Chapel - thanksgiving - went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - made meditation - heard a few Confessions. Engaged in the office until 11. Rode home. Occupied up to 2. Visited Fr. Smyth who is dangerously ill. Returned home about 3.30. Recited Vespers and Compline. Read till the hour for dinner. In the evening went to Richmond to visit the sick priest - he is a very little better. Thence drove to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds - attended night prayers - heard Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother of God. Returned home - read for an hour. About 10 to bed.

Saturday November 12th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. About 7 celebrated Mass at Abbotsford - thence went to St Francis - after thanksgiving - heard Confessions - recited Hours - made meditation. Business in the office engaged until 11.30. Arranged the duties for tomorrow. Rode home. Time occupied till 1.30. Walked to St Francis, calling at the Convent of Mercy. Heard Confessions - reading the Divine Office when not so engaged. Returned home about 4. Dinner at the usual time. About 6 visited the sick Priest at Richmond. Drove to St Francis - heard Confessions from 7 to 9.30. Returned home after making my visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Mother - night prayers. About 10.30 to bed.

Sunday November 13th. Rose a little before 5. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. Recited Hours. At 7 celebrated Mass in St Francis. Thanksgiving - meditation. Left for Sunbury by the 9 o'clock train. The Holy Mass did not commence till 12. Dean Hayes preached. The ceremony of laying the corner stone then took place. The church is dedicated to Our Blessed Lady of Mount Carmel. Returned to Keilor to dinner. After dinner drove home. The Doctor being with me I went to Richmond to visit the sick Priest. He received too many visitors during the day - which aggravated his illness - however he is now better. Soon after I got home I said night prayers and went to bed.

Monday November 14th. Morning prayers - Matins Lauds and Hours. At 7 celebrated Mass at Abbotsford. After thanksgiving went to St Francis - heard Confessions and made my meditation. Wrote letters. Decided on taking my passage in the City of Melbourne - which will leave for Sydney at 3 tomorrow afternoon. Had visits on business from Clergymen. At 11 left the office and rode home. Made preparations for my trip to Sydney. Called at the Convent of Mercy. On my return home wrote for an hour. After this busy until dinner time. Two lay gentlemen dined with [us]. They did not leave till 9. About 9.30 night prayers, bed.

Tuesday November 15th. Morning prayers - heard Mass at St Francis - Recited the Divine Office - heard a few Confessions - made my meditation. Very busy up to the time of my departure for Sydney. When we got outside the Heads I retired to my cabin not feeling over comfortable. I finished the recitation of the Office of the day - night prayers - not said as I would wish - to my miserable berth.

Wednesday November 16th. Spent an uncomfortable night. Got up late - washed - performed as best I could my morning devotions. Went on deck - recited the Divine Office - weather fine - wind against us. Read most of the day. Recited Vespers and Compline. In the early part of the [day?] tried to make my meditation. Retired early to my cabin. Night prayers. The wind continues unfavourable. Expect to get in tomorrow evening.

Thursday November 17th. Morning prayers - meditation - Divine Office. Employed most of the day reading. Wind dead against us - no chance I fear of reaching Sydney before tomorrow morning. In the afternoon the wind became favourable. It was late when I went to my cabin. Night prayers. Slept in my clothes expecting to be in early in the morning.

Friday November 18th. Arrived at the wharf about 5.30. Dressed - morning prayers. Landed about 6.30. Drove to the Vicar-General's residence - where I am now comfortably lodged. Recited the Divine Office. The Archbishop called early - drove out with him. Dined at St Mary's. Spent the time chiefly with the Archbishop. Returned to the Vicar-General's in the evening about 8. Read till 9. Night prayers - bed - read for an hour after going to bed.

Saturday November 19th. Morning prayers - Divine Office - Mass - thanksgiving - breakfast - meditation. Spent most of the day with the Archbishop - dined with him. Wrote letters - to be sent by the Mail that leaves today for Melbourne. Vespers and Compline - Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. From 8 to 9 read - night prayers - bed.

Sunday November 20th. Morning prayers, Hours, meditation - preparation for Mass. A little past 11 commenced the Solemn Mass. It and the ordinations occupied 3 hours. Visited during the day with [the] Archbishop a Sunday School. About 300 children were assembled. The building is a poor temporary structure. A better or rather a building suitable for the purpose will soon be erected. On my return to St Mary's I recited Vespers and Compline. Dinner. In the evening attended Benediction. About 9 returned to the Vicar-General's. Night prayers. Read till 11.

Monday November 21st. Morning prayers - Divine Office - preparation for Mass - Mass - thanksgiving. Recited Primam - breakfast. Wrote for some time. Small Hours - made my meditation. About 11 posted my English Letters. Visited St John's College. It is a magnificent building. Called for a few minutes at the Refuge on my way to St Mary's. After dinner recited Vespers and Compline. Then drove out with the Archbishop for an hour or so. Recited Matins and Lauds. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin's altar. Tea - a little conversation with the Archbishop. About 8 left for the Vicar-General's residence - my present domicile. Wrote a little - then read a few pages of Moral Theology. Night prayers - at 10 to bed - read till 11.

Tuesday November 22nd. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass - Mass - thanksgiving - breakfast - Hours - meditation. Went to St Mary's - read for an hour. Drove out with the Archbishop. About 4 left for Subiaco. Here we stopped the night - the religious were most kind. At 9 night prayers - read for some time before going to bed.

Wednesday November 23rd. Morning prayers - Divine Office - preparation for Mass. At 8 celebrated Mass - thanksgiving - breakfast, meditation. Spent the day at Subiaco. In the afternoon went to Paramatta, visited the Orphanage, returned to Subiaco, where we remained the night. Read a good part of the time between tea and bed. About 10 night prayers, bed.

Matins and Lauds for tomorrow

Thursday November 24th. Morning prayers, Hours, preparation for Mass. At 7 celebrated Mass - thanksgiving, breakfast, meditation. In the morning left for Penrith by train. About 11 set out on a visit to the French Missionary Station, but having missed the way we did not arrive there until late in the day. There were two Missionaries here, they had the care of 15 lads from the several Islands comprised in the Vicariate of Bishop Battaillon. The school hours for the instruction of these children of nature are in the forenoon and the afternoon. Between these hours they are for a time employed on the Farm. The missionaries speak highly of their capacity to learn. I saw the writing of some of them - it was very good. The Gospels are translated into their own languages. One edition of the translation was published in Sydney, and a good specimen of letter press it was. They sang a few hymns in the Samoan, the voices were sweet and musical. Returned to Penrith about 5. Dinner. Recited Vespers and Compline and Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Night prayers at 9, then to bed.

Friday November 25th. Morning prayers, preparation for Mass. Mass - thanksgiving, Hours, meditation. After breakfast visited the viaduct of the railway. It spans a deep creek at the foot of the Blue Mountains. Returned by train to Sydney. Took a little refreshment. About 8 drove to the Sacred Heart Presbytery. Read for an hour - night prayers, to bed.

Saturday November 26th. Morning prayers, preparation for Mass. Mass - thanksgiving. Presided at the clothing of four novices for the House of the Good Shepherd. This ceremony took up two hours. Gave Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament at the conclusion. Took a short drive with the Archbishop. Weather squally and very cold. Read most of the day. After dinner, recited the Divine Office. Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Blessed Mother of God. Returned to the Sacred Heart about 9, read till 10 - night prayers, bed.

Sunday November 27th. Morning prayers, preparation for Mass. Mass - thanksgiving, breakfast, Hours. Wrote for an hour. Weather windy and cold, from 11.30 to 12 meditation. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother of God. Spiritual reading - Angelus. Visited the St Vincent's Hospital and Convent. Thence walked to St Mary's - recited Vespers and Compline. Then read an instructive book till 4. Matins and Lauds, dinner. Attended evening devotions in the private Chapel. Returned to the Sacred Heart about 8.30. Read till 10. Night prayers, bed.

Monday November 28th. Morning prayers, preparation for Mass, thanksgiving, meditation, Hours. Left by the 9 o'clock train for Campbelltown, where we arrived about 10.30. Saw a good many of my old friends and flock. Visited the Church. Read during the hours of leisure. Recited the Vespers and Compline of the day - with Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Walked through the town in the evening. At 9.30 retired to my room. Night prayers, bed.

Tuesday November 29th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. Mass at 8 - a good many of the people were present - most of them my old friends. Thanksgiving. Conversed for some time with a few of my former flock. After breakfast - Hours - meditation - Spiritual reading. Went to Camden. Saw the Church - a pretty building. Returned to Campbelltown about 4. Dinner. In the evening Divine Office. Read for an hour. About 9.30 night prayers - bed.

Wednesday November 30th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. Mass - thanksgiving - breakfast - Hours and meditation. The Archbishop arrived. We visited Appin. Returned to Campbell-town for dinner. Vespers and Compline - Matins and Lauds for the following day. Conversed during the evening with the Archbishop. About 9.30 retired with him to the Hotel. Night prayers - bed