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

Thursday October 3rd. Celebrated Mass in College Chapel at 8. Administered 1st Holy Communion and Confirmation to a few of the boys. Engaged after breakfast up to near dinner time. Paid a visit to the Exhibition in preparation for the Great one to be held next year in London. Attended night prayers and heard Confessions.

Friday October 4th. Anniversary of my arrival and taking possession of the See. Anniversary also of the laying the foundation stone of St Francis Church. Celebrated Mass a little after 7. Divine Office and meditation over - made preparation for starting on my visitation. At 3 left by train for Kyneton - accompanied by the Vicar-General. Arrived there about 7.

Saturday October 5th. Busy hearing Confessions. A little study.

Sunday October 6th. Heard a few Confessions in the morning. Gave Confirmation before Mass. It was near 12 when I commenced the High Mass. Sermon after Communion. Collection for building £87. Evening Vespers - sermon - Benediction. A few Confessions.

Monday October 7th. Left Kyneton this morning for Castlemaine. Stopped for Mass at Taradale. Delivered a short discourse to the people - who were numerous. Heard a few Confessions before Mass. Proceeded to Castlemaine - arriving there at 1.30 p.m. Weather showery.

Tuesday October 8th. Celebrated Mass. Opened Mission. Meditation after breakfast. During the day heard a few Confessions. Went to Green Gully. Heard Confessions. Night prayers. Went early to bed.

Wednesday October 9th. In morning - prayers - Divine Office as usual. Confessions. Meditation. Preparation for Mass. At 10 Mass. Addressed the Congregation. Returned to Castlemaine.

Thursday October 10th. Morning prayers. Divine Office - preparation for Mass at 8.30 - but few were present. After breakfast - meditation. Heard Confessions during the day and evening. Night prayers in the church.

Friday October 11th. Devotions as usual. Mass at 8. Meditation - Confessions as the people presented themselves. Night prayers in the Church and instruction.

Saturday October 12th. Celebrated Mass about 8. During the day, except for short intervals, dinnertime etc. - engaged hearing Confessions - and in the evening up to a late hour.

Sunday October 13th. Did not get up until 8.30. Recited the Divine Office - prepared for Mass. At 11 commenced Mass - preached after first Gospel. At 1 breakfast. Evening - heard a few Confessions - Vespers - instruction - Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Monday October 14th. Administered before Mass this morning - Confirmation. Usual devotions for the morning over - recited Matins, at a little after 8 celebrated Mass. About 12 drove a short distance into the country. After return wrote letters - studied a little. Read.

Tuesday October 15th. Morning prayers said and a portion of Divine Office recited, said Mass. Received and answered letters. Vicar-General returned to Melbourne. Visited the school at Maldon. Examined children. Answering good - attendance small. Building of brick - substantial.

Wednesday October 16th. Left this morning for Sandhurst. Weather fine - summer heat - but not oppressive. Reached Sandhurst about 1. Wrote letters.

Thursday October 17th. Mass at 8. Announced Missions and hours for Confessions - evening prayers etc. Received and answered letters. Read as usual for a certain length of time. Had - much against my will - to dine out. Returned to hear Confessions.

Friday October 18th. The morning devotions over, recited a portion of the Divine Office. Celebrated Mass a little after 8 - thanksgiving. After breakfast - meditation. Confessions during the day. Evening prayers - Confessions.

Saturday October 19th. Mass at the usual hour. Answered letters. Confessions at the hours appointed. In the evening engaged hearing them up to 12. Prayers - bed.

Sunday October 20th. Celebrated Mass at 11. The resident Pastor preached. At a little before 1 took breakfast. A short walk. Wrote letters. Prepared for evening sermon. Evening prayers - sermon - prayers and blessing. Addressed Young Men's Society. At 7 dinner.

Monday October 21st. At 8 o'clock Mass. After breakfast wrote letters. Visited the school now being built at the Campaspe. Catholic farmers are numerous here - school needed. Overtaken on our return by a great storm of wind and dust - with rain and lightning.

Tuesday October 22nd. Left this morning at 8.30 for Castlemaine. Before starting recited Divine Office. Arrived in Castlemaine about 12. Did not stop on the way. Wrote letters - recited Vespers. Took a walk before dinner. Read at intervals.

Wednesday October 23rd. Morning prayers - Divine Office - meditation. Answered letters. Allowed Fr. Williams to remain at Daylesford. Advised prudence and obedience for the future. Left for Carisbrook. Stopped 2 hours at Maldon - heard Confessions and addressed the people. Arrived in Carisbrook about 6. Wrote letters for English Mail. Ordered from Jones beads - 4 thousand copies of Butler's Catechisms - 15vo small size - 1000 Fleury's. Requested Dr. Heptonstall to order to the value of £20 from Richardson medals and I think beads. Desired him to pay him £20.

Thursday October 24th. Morning prayers - Divine Office - Mass - thanksgiving - letters - reading - study.

Friday October 25th. After Mass - wrote letters. About 12 left for Dunolly. Heard Confessions. Returned to Carisbrook in the evening. Devotions morning and evening as usual. Time for study - reading and answering letters limited.

Saturday October 26th. Morning devotions - Divine Office - meditation. Left at 10 for Dunolly. Engaged all the time there hearing Confessions. Heard 73 persons before leaving Chapel - which was a little after 7. Stopped here tonight. Read and studied a short time before retiring.

Sunday October 27th. Morning devotions - Divine Office - meditation - preparation for Mass. At 11 gave Confirmation. Next Celebrated Mass - gave Holy Communion - preached. Returned to Carisbrook.

Monday October 28th. Morning devotions - Divine Office - after Breakfast - meditation - then read for an hour or two. Took a short drive into the country, on my return wrote a little. Heard Confessions. Sent list of Confirmed at Dunolly to Fr. Finn. Evening prayers at 7.

Tuesday October 29th. The devotions of the morning over, recited Matins and Prime - made meditation - preparation for Mass. At 8.30 celebrated Mass - said a few words of instruction to the Congregation. Thanksgiving. After breakfast read newspaper - wrote a letter. Read - for an hour - life of St Bernard. Heard Confessions from 12 to 1. Took a walk. Read for half an hour. Wrote a short time - read again a part of the life of St Bernard. Night prayers - instruction - Confessions.

Wednesday October 30th. Morning devotions - Divine Office - preparation for Mass. Heard Confessions. At 8 o'clock Mass. Communions 34. Exhortation. After breakfast meditation - study - letters - Read up to 1.30. Visited Maryborough. Recited Rosary - addressed those assembled. Heard Confessions. Returned to Carisbrook - heard Confessions.

Thursday October 31st. Devotions of the morning over recited Divine Office, Meditation - breakfast. Answered letters. Went to Maryborough. Recited Rosary - gave instruction - heard Confessions. Engaged so up to 6.30. Returned to Carisbrook. Heard a few Confessions.