Hundreds of feast enthusiasts took to the streets of Ħamrun yesterday to celebrate the feast of St Cajetan, with passionate supporters of the two band clubs belting out songs and marches.

The feast, celebrated on August 7 or on the first Sunday after, is well-known for the rivalry between the St Joseph and the St Cajetan band clubs.

Celebrations began early yesterday morning with the popular Marċ tal-Brijju kicking off at noon. Enthusiasts, covered in red or blue paint depending on which band they support, walked the streets belting out anthems at each other as shredded paper descended onto the streets from balconies in the area.

The celebrations came to an end in the evening with a procession along the Ħamrun streets which culminated with the statue being carried into the parish church with the statue bearers runing up the church stairs.

A fireworks display followed.

Born in an aristocratic family in North Italy, St Cajetan studied civil and canon law before he headed to the Vatican where he was appointed protonotary apostolic monseigneur.

He soon felt that Rome had lost its Christian spirit and launched a Church reform, first renouncing his titles, founding the Theatines and working with the poor and the incurable.

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