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

Saturday October 1st. Morning prayers, preparation for Mass. A little before 7 commenced Mass in the College Chapel - thanksgiving, went to St Francis - heard Mass, recited Hours, made my meditation, heard Confessions. After breakfast arranged the Masses and other duties for tomorrow. Left the office about 11 for home. Wrote till 12. Angelus. Study, spiritual reading, Confessions from 2 to 4. Availed myself of an interruption in the Confessions to recite Vespers, Compline and Matins with Lauds for tomorrow. Dinner at the usual time. Confessions from 6.30 to 10. Night prayers, visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother of God. To bed about 11.

Sunday October 2nd. Morning prayers, preparation for Mass. Read a few pages of a small work on Indulgences. At 11 commenced the Solemn High Mass for the Exposition. All was concluded by 1. Spent my half hour in adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament. Breakfast. During the day visited the children assembled for Catechism in St George's and St Francis Schools. Made a visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament in St Francis. Returned home about 4 - recited Vespers and Compline, read a little of the life of St Peter Alcantara. Dinner at 4.30. At 7 assisted at Vespers - the Most Blessed Sacrament was veiled during the Vespers and Sermon. Recited Matins and Lauds before going into the Church. Night prayers. Spent a short time before the Most Blessed Sacrament About 10 to bed.

Monday October 3rd. Morning prayers. From 7.30 to 8 adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament At 8 commenced Solemn High Mass. The Deposition [i.e. the end of the 40 Hours Exposition]. Church was very full - thanksgiving - heard Confessions. At 10 breakfast. Read for a short time. Left the office about 11. Walked home. Studied a little, then wrote for a short time. Weather cold, showery with high wind.

About a quarter past 1 visited the University and the School of Anatomy. Was not quite pleased with what I saw [in] this anatomy school - fragments of the human form here and there prepared for the professor's lectures. I left this human slaughter house very soon. Spent some time in the Museum of the University. Called at St Francis on my way home. Had but a short time to study for my instruction this evening at St Francis. Dinner at 4.30 - Vespers and Compline. At 7 attended prayers in St Francis after which I delivered a short discourse. The Church was crowded. Gave Benediction. Heard Confessions till a quarter past 10. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother of God. Studied for a short time before going to bed the subject on which, Deo Volente, I will at the 8 o'clock Mass address the people on tomorrow morning.

Tuesday October 4th. Morning prayers, preparation for Mass. Matins and Lauds. Attended in the Church at 7. At 8 commenced Mass. After the Holy Communion delivered a short discourse on Mortal Sin. The congregation at the 7 and 8 o'clock Mass was large. Heard Confessions after Mass. At 10 took breakfast. Received and read letters - wrote in reply to some of them. Left the office about 12. Wrote letters soon after I got home - made my meditation. Went to St Francis at 2 - recited Vespers and Compline - Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Heard Confessions after doing this duty until 4. Then returned home - and wrote till dinner was announced. Weather cold and showery. At 7 attended night prayers, sermon and Benediction - afterwards heard Confessions till 10. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin Mother of God. Returned home, studied before going to bed for tomorrow's instruction to the people.

Wednesday October 5th. Morning prayers, preparation for Mass. Confessions from 7 to near 8. At 8 commenced Mass - after giving holy Communion preached on the necessity of avoiding the occasions of sin. Thanksgiving, Hours and Confessions until about 10. Breakfast - read and answered letters, made my meditation. Left the office a little before 12. Drove home, weather wet and stormy. Got home about 12. Wrote for a short time. Spiritual exercises - visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Blessed Mother of God. Study. Vespers and Compline, Matins and Lauds for the next day. After this Confessions in St Francis till 4. Weather very wet, cold and stormy. Read a religious book for a quarter [hour] before dinner. A little past 6 went to St Francis - read till the bell rang for evening prayers. Attended prayers, sermon and benediction. Heard Confessions till 10. Weather very stormy and wet. Returned home. Studied for a short time before going to bed.

Thursday October 6th. Morning prayers, study. Attended in the Confessional until about 8. Then commenced Mass. The number who received Holy Communion at the 7 and this Mass was very large. After Holy Communion I addressed the congregation for a half hour. Thanksgiving. Heard Confessions during the celebration of the 9 o'clock Mass. Received and wrote letters. Left the office about 11.30. Rode home. At 12 the Angelus. Wrote for a short time, meditation, spiritual reading - Theology. From 2 to 4 Confessions. Dinner at 4.30. Recited Vespers Compline, Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Confessions from 6.30 to 10. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother of God. Studied for tomorrow's discourse. It was late when I got to bed.

Friday October 7th. Morning prayers. Had to take medicine early this morning. Attended in the confessional from 7 to 9.30. Recited Hours - meditation. At 10 breakfast. Engaged in the office up to 11.30. Rode home - Angelus. Studied till 1.30. Visited the Convent of Mercy. A little past 2 went to St Francis. Recited Vespers and Compline - Matins and Lauds for tomorrow - then heard Confessions till 4. Attended at 7 night prayers - sermon and Benediction - heard Confessions till 10.30. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother of God. About 11 to bed.

Saturday October 8th. Morning prayers - had to take medicine about 5. Heard Confessions from 7 to 10. Breakfast - Hours - meditation. Left the office at 11.30. Studied from 12 to 1 - then wrote for a half [hour]. Visited the Convent of Mercy on my way to St Francis. Confessions from 2 to 4 uninterruptedly. Recited Vespers and Compline. Dinner. Recited Matins and Lauds. Confessions from 6.30 to 11. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother of God. About 11.30 to bed.

Sunday October 9th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. Hours. At 8 commenced Mass. At 7 and this Mass great numbers went to Holy Communion. About 4 thousand must have received the Most Blessed Sacrament during the Mission. I addressed a short exhortation after the Holy Communion to the congregation. Thanksgiving - returned home - commenced my meditation - at 10 breakfast. Resumed the meditation. At 11 attended the sermon and Mass in St Patrick's. Wrote for a short time. Spiritual reading until 1. Read a few chapters of the Book of Josue [Joshua] with notes. At 2 attend[ed] the students class of Scriptures. Visited the Convent of Mercy. Visited St George's and St Mary's Sunday Schools. Returned home a little past 4. Recited Vespers and Compline. Dinner. A little past 6 went to St Francis. Recited Matins and Lauds - presided at Vespers and Sermon - gave Benediction. Returned home about 8.30. Conversed with the Vicar-General until 9. At 9.30 night prayers - to bed.

Monday October 10th. Morning prayers - Hours - preparation for Mass. At a quarter past 7 Mass at Abbotsford - thanksgiving. Went to St Francis. Heard a good many Confessions. Wrote in reply to an invitation from Sydney. Gave interviews on business to several of the Clergy. Meditation. Left the office at 11.30 and rode for an hour. On my return home I wrote for a short time. An hour for the study of Theology - visited the Convent of Mercy. Returned home by 4. Recited Vespers and Compline. Read till the bell rang for dinner. At 6 went 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 about 8. Read for a short time then conversed with the Vicar-General until 9. At 9.30 to bed.

Tuesday October 11th. Morning prayers - Hours - preparation for Mass. At 7 celebrated Mass at Abbotsford - thanksgiving - went to St Francis - heard Confessions - made my meditation - business detained me in the office till 11.30. Took a short ride before going home. Engaged looking over letters till 1.30. Then visited the Orphanage - called at the Richmond Presbytery. Arrived at home about 3.30. Wrote for a short time - then Vespers and Compline. Studied till dinner. About 6 went to St. Patrick's - recited Matins and Lauds - attended night prayers - heard Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother of God. Returned home at 8 - read for a half hour. About 9 to bed.

Wednesday October 12th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. A little before 7 commenced Mass. After thanksgiving went to St Francis - heard Confessions and Mass. Recited Hours - made my meditation - Breakfast. Busy up to 12 in the office. At 12 presided at the Conference - tract de actibus humanis. The conference closed a little past 1. About 20 priests were present. Rode home. Wrote for a short time. Visited Abbotsford and the Orphanage at Emerald Hill. Fever, in a mild form, has got in among the children there. Returned home a little before dinner time. The priests dined with us. Recited Vespers and Compline before dinner. Went to St Francis about 6.30 - recited Matins and Lauds - attended night prayers - heard Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother of God. Returned home about 8. Read for a half hour. About 9.30 to bed.

Thursday October 13th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 6.30 celebrated Mass in the College Chapel. After thanksgiving went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - made meditation - heard Confessions. Study and business filled up the time till 11.30. Rode for an hour - called at Abbotsford to arrange about the juvenile Reformatory. Some of the religious object to it and without any good reason. It would not do now to abandon it as we made so much about it by petition to Parliament and letters to the Government. The Revd. Mother is most anxious to establish it. Visited the Orphanage. Returned home about 4 - recited Vespers and Compline. Read till dinner was announced. Answered letters. A little past 6 went to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds - heard Confessions - attended night prayers. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady. Home - read for some time. About 9.30 to bed. Dr Hall, Vicar General of Hobarttown, sailed this morning for Hobarttown.

Friday October 14th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. A little before 7 commenced Mass. Thanksgiving over, went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - made my meditation - heard Confessions. Remained busy in the office reading letters by the English Mail, answering letters from the Clergy. Took a short ride. Studied from 12 to 2. Visited the Orphanage. On my return home recited Vespers and Compline. A little after 6 went to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds - attended night prayers - heard Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother of God. About 8 home. Weather wet and stormy. Read for an hour. To bed about 10.

Saturday October 15th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. A little before 7 Mass in the College. After thanksgiving went to St Francis. I feel very unwell. Weather wet and cold. Heard Mass - recited Hours - made my meditation - heard Confessions. Breakfast at 9.30. Looked over one of the Dailies and an English Catholic paper. Arranged the order of duty for tomorrow. Drove home about 12. Study till near 2 with little interruption. Went to St Francis at 2 - had a long conversation with Mr. O'Shanassy - recited Vespers and Compline and Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Confessions. At 4.30 dinner. Went to St Francis about 6 . Commenced hearing Confessions at 7 - concluded the Confessions at 9. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and night prayers. Home. Retired early to bed - not being well.

Sunday October 16th. I did not rest much during the night in consequence of great pain. Morning prayers. Prima and Tierce - preparation for Mass. At 9 celebrated Mass in the Cathedral - suffered an agony during the Mass. Thanksgiving. Recited Sext and None. Breakfast - meditation. Wrote a few letters. At 2 was present at a discourse delivered by one of the students. After this wrote for a considerable time. Wrote letters to the Clergy with regard to Fitzgerald's election for the Upper House. Weather unsettled, showery. My illness prevented me from visiting the Sunday Schools. Read during the greater part of the afternoon. About 6.30 recited Vespers and Compline, Matins and Lauds. After this read till 9. About 9.30 retired to my room - night prayers - to bed.

Monday October 17th. Morning prayers at a late hour, not being able to rise before 8 in consequence of illness. Recited Hours - went to St Francis about 10. Remained in the office until 12. Returned home, read and wrote alternately till 1.30. Drove out with the Vicar-General for an airing. On my return home recited Vespers and Compline - read till dinner hour. About 6 went to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds - attended night prayers and heard Confessions - visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother of God. Got back home about 8. Read for some time. About 9.30 to bed.

Tuesday October 18th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass in the College - thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - made my meditation. Breakfast at 9.30. Engaged in the office up [to] 11.30. From 12 to 1 also engaged. At 1 drove to the Orphanage. The children look well - approved of the *tents* fitted up in the grounds. Visited Abbotsford - returned home about 4. Recited Vespers and Compline. Wrote till dinner hour. 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 Mother of God. Returned home about 8. Read for some time - conversed with the Vicar-General and Dean Hayes. At 10.30 to bed.

Wednesday October 19th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass. Thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - heard a few Confessions. Breakfast at 9.30. Business in the office up to 11. Left by the 12 o'clock train for Sandhurst accompanied by the Vicar-General and Dean Hayes. Dined on our arrival in Sandhurst. About 9.30 retired to my room - night prayers - bed.

Thursday October 20th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 8 Mass. Thanksgiving. Breakfast. Meditation. Left for Echuca at 11. Recited Hours - read a work on America the remainder of the way. Arrived in Echuca about 4. Crossed to the New South Wales side of the River Murray on a pontoon bridge. Returned to the Hotel - dined. A heavy shower of rain fell during dinner. There not being sufficient accommodation for all the party, the Vicar-General and myself went to another Hotel, where we occupied one room for the night. About 9.30 said night prayers and then retired to rest.

Friday October 21st. Morning prayers - Hours - meditation, preparation for Mass. At 9.30 commenced Mass. Preached to the few assembled. After Mass the propriety of at once building a church was considered and agreed upon. After breakfast took a long walk. Dined at 1.30. At 3 left for Sandhurst. Recited Vespers and Compline - Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Read an interesting work during the remainder of the journey. It was past 7 when we got into Sandhurst. Took a little refreshment. About 10 night prayers - then bed.

Saturday October 22nd. Morning prayers - Hours - Meditation - heard Mass - visited the new Church at Miers Flat. Left by the 12 o'clock train for Melbourne - arrived in Melbourne at 4. During the journey recited the Divine Office for tomorrow - after I read an instructive work till we got to the station or Terminus. Dinner at 4.30. From 7 to 9.30 heard Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Lady - night prayers. Home. About 10.30 to bed.

Sunday October 23rd. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. Prime and Tierce. At 8 commenced the Holy Mass. After Holy Communion preached. Thanksgiving. Returned home - recited Sext and None. Made my meditation. Breakfast. Read the Holy Scriptures till 11.30. Attended in the vestry of St Patrick's during the sermon. Visited St Joseph's Sunday School. Visited the Convent of Mercy. Looked in at the children assembled in St Patrick's for Catechism. The number of children in each place was large. Recited Vespers and Compline. Dinner at 4.30. About 6 went to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. At 7 assisted at Vespers - sermon and Benediction in the Church. Returned home about 8.30. Read for a half hour or so. At 10 night prayers then bed.

Monday October 24th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. A little before 7 Mass - thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited hours - made my meditation - heard a few Confessions. Engaged in the Office up to 11.30. Visited the Orphanage. Returned home about 3. Engaged writing letters for the English post up to 4 - recited Vespers and Compline. About 6 went to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds - attended night prayers - heard Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother of God. Home. Read for an hour. About 9.30 to bed.

Tuesday October 25th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass - a quarter [to] 7 Mass - thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - meditation - heard a few Confessions. Busy in the office up to 11.30. Rode to Abbotsford thence back by Richmond. From 2 to 4 engaged writing letters for the English Mail. Recited Vespers and Compline. Dinner. About 6 went 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 about 8 - read till near 9. At 9.30 to bed.

Wednesday October 26th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 commenced Mass, thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - heard Confessions. Engaged in the Office transacting business with Clergymen and laymen and writing letters for the Mail that leaves today for England. Left the office about 12 and rode home. Made a visit between 1 and 2 - got home by 3 - recited Vespers and Compline. Wrote to the Archbishop. Engaged up to dinner time. At 6 went to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow - attended night prayers - heard Confessions - made my visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother of God. Returned home. Read for an hour. About 9.30 retired for the night.

Thursday October 27th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. About 7 celebrated Mass in the College - thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - heard Confessions. Occupied in the office till 12. From 12.30 to 1.30 engaged. At 2 drove out to see a site which I think might might answer for a female Juvenile Reformatory. Weather very cold and showery. Returned home about 4. Recited Vespers and Compline. A little after 6 went to St Francis - recited Matins and Lauds - heard Confessions - visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother of God. Returned home - read for some time. About 9.30 to bed.

Friday October 28th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 Mass in the College - thanksgiving. Went to St. Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours. Whilst in the Confessional felt a sickly chill creep over me - it grew worse as the day advanced. A heavy cold - hastened home - sent for Dr Brownless. Having seen him I took a hot bath and went to bed. Suffered a good deal up to a late hour of the night. I was not able to recite Vespers and Compline.

Saturday October 29th. I feel considerably relieved this morning. About 10 I got up and dressed. Morning devotions - Matins - Lauds and Hours - spiritual reading filled up the most of my time during the day. Arranged the duties for tomorrow. Recited Vespers and Compline - Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. If health will permit I purpose going to Woodend to lay the corner stone of the new Church to be built there. Wrote for a short time in the evening - then read till 9. About 10 night prayers - then to bed.

Sunday October 30th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. At 7 commenced Mass in St Patrick's - gave Holy Communion - thanksgiving. Took a little to eat. Left by the 9 o'clock train. Arrived at Woodend a little past 11. After Mass - laid the corner stone - preached. A good sum was collected. Visited Kyneton. Dinner at Woodend. Returned to Melbourne about 9. Recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Night prayers - bed.

Monday October 31st. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. Celebrated Mass - thanksgiving. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - made meditation - heard a few Confessions. Remained in the Office until 11.30. Rode home - read till about 2 and transacted business. Then visited Abbotsford and the Convent of Mercy. Recited Vespers and Compline before dinner. About 6 went to St Francis - heard Confessions till 9. Returned home. Not feeling well I had to appoint some priest to sing the Solemn Mass in my stead. Before leaving St Francis I made my humble visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Mother of God. About 10 after night prayers I retired to rest.