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Sunlight cascades through stained-glass windows and onto the altar. Richly coloured and intricately detailed, the window is a work of art, but then, so is the rest of the chapel. This is the place where many generations of boys studying at St. Joseph’s College in Maradana have congregated to worship, and it is sacred to them in more ways than one.

That is why, when the chapel’s pristine beauty showed signs of being damaged by moisture and mould, the Old Boys’ Union of the college promptly swung into action. Their 2006 walk – which is expected to draw upto 10,000 people – will aim to raise funds for the restoration of this historic chapel. An architectural masterpiece, the building has been standing for 76 years now, and has not needed such attention for many years. While the extent of the problem is yet to be ascertained, the college administration plans to repair and re-plaster the walls.

The magnificent Baroque edifice, which can seat more than a 1000 people, is considered one of the finest chapels on the island. The Vice Rector of the college, Fr. Sudath Gunatilake, reveals that the façade is built on the lines of the cathedral of Saint John Leteran in Rome. The latter which is the cathedral of the Pope, is also referred to as ‘Mater et Caput Ornniurn Ecclesiarurn’, or the ‘mother of all churches’.

Fr. Gunatilake adds that the students frequently gather in the chapel, and that it has become one of the enduring symbols of Josephian school life.

Determined to prevent any deterioration, the school is calling upon its present and past pupils, their families, the faculty and any other well wishers for support. The walk will be held on August 5 at 3 p.m. The parade will be routed through Darley Road to Hyde Park Corner, the Eye Hospital Junction, Dean’s Road, and back to the college, past the Fire Brigade headquarters. The parade is to be organised by student batches – with all of them competing for the chance to be named the best batch.

Panduka Jayamanne, Chairman of the organising committee, voiced his hope that this would be “the biggest get together of the Josephian family.”
The walk ends with a mini-carnival with around 50 stalls offering food, games, souvenirs and other trade items.Several attractive raffle draws are also planned. Rounding off the evening is a musical show, featuring local talent.