Twenty St Bede's old boys who joined the priesthood after leaving the Roman Catholic school will celebrate a joint Mass to mark its centenary.

The service at Bradford's St Mary's Church on Saturday will be the centrepiece of the Heaton school's 100th anniversary celebrations which are continuing all year.

The 20 priests are returning to Bradford from all over the world in order to take part in the celebration of their old school. One of them is travelling thousands of miles from his parish in the South Atlantic.

In total 50 priests will be involved in the ceremony along with David Konstant, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Leeds.

A blessing from his Holiness Pope John Paul II will be presented by the Bishop to the school's head boy, Chris Biggins.

The 600-strong congregation will include current and past staff and pupils, some coming from Canada and Australia, as well as The Lord Mayor and other civic representatives.

"The Mass is the highlight of the School's centenary year," said headteacher Dr James Hagerty, who is also a former pupil of the school.

"It is a testimony to the school that so many past pupils, teachers, support staff and friends of the school are attending - particularly those who have travelled thousands of miles - to help us celebrate 100 years of continuous Catholic education in the city.

"It is this lasting affiliation with the school, spanning the generations, which gives St. Bede's its unique identity, and is the inspiration for both the present day staff and pupils."

A special presentation will also be made to Monsignor Morgan V Sweeny, a former head teacher, to mark the diamond jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood.

Copies of the School's Book of Remembrance and History of the School will be presented to the Bishop.

Following Mass, there will be an open day at the school with displays of school memorabilia.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.