Share Our Heritage with the World

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Place yourself in front of the entrance to St Patrick's Cathedral. Rest assured: it is a breathtaking view. The cathedral is a picture of aesthetic grace that gradually but surely helps its viewer embark on a spiritual journey. Flanked by St Joseph's Girls School and St Patrick's Girls High School, St Patrick's Cathedral is not just ‘a tall building with towers and bells', it signifies a certain period in our history of dignity, peace and compassion.

The sight even makes you indifferent to the hullabaloo that has become so characteristic of the Saddar area around it - dingy restaurants, incommodious stores, encroaching pushcarts and an unmissable police station. Perhaps this is why it is important in our time to value and protect places that provide inner solace.

The marble, Christ the King monument in the foreground of St Patrick's Cathedral will initially grab your attention. It was constructed in 1931 (half a century after the church was built) to honour the memory of the Jesuit Mission in Sindh. After having a good look at it, you will slant your head to look behind and see the not-so-ostentatious yet splendid church building. Its imposing tower, pointed lancet arches, wonderful spires and eye-catching vaulting will blow you away. The fact that it is well taken care of and looks picturesque is testimony to the sincerity of those who are responsible for its upkeep.

Hillary Pereira, supervisor of the premises, says, “Why shouldn't it look beautiful? It was made by honest people. It's more than a century old, but looks as nice as always. The place is cleaned on a daily basis and we do our utmost to keep it spotless.”

[Source: Karachi Legacies of Empires by Peerzada Salman]

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