ATLANTA--Eight priests of the Archdiocese of Atlanta are among those celebrating the 150th anniversary of priests from All Hallows College in Dublin coming to the U. S. to serve the Church.

In 1845, at the height of a famine in Ireland, three graduates of the college, established in 1842, were sent to minister in Vincennes, Ind.

The college maintains its missionary vision and continues to train priests to serve overseas. To date the college has trained more than 4,000 priests, 1,400 of whom have come to the United States. Currently more than 300 All Hallows graduates, including three bishops, minister throughout the country. Bishop Kevin Boland of Savannah is the graduate most recently appointed bishop.

Sometimes graduates arrive in groups. In 1967, Father John Kieran and Father Leo Herbert came to serve the Archdiocese of Atlanta, while three classmates arrived to serve the Diocese of Savannah.

The United States celebration of the anniversary will be held in Vincennes Nov. 1. Bishop Boland, his brother and fellow All Hallows graduate, Bishop Raymond Boland of Kansas City-St. Joseph, and other clergy from Ireland will celebrate an anniversary Mass.

According to Father Kieran, All Hallows College enjoys the reputation of being Ireland's foremost missionary college. Graduates serve in a variety of ministries, responding to the Lord's call carved in stone above the seminary entrance, "Go make disciples of all nations."