Three leaders in the Georgia legal community are to be honored at this year’s Red Mass.

Judge John Ruffin Jr. of the Georgia Court of Appeals, William Brennan, director of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, and Doug Ammar, executive director of the Georgia Justice Projects, will share the 2008 St. Thomas More Award.

The St. Thomas More Society, an organization of Catholic lawyers, is hosting the annual Red Mass and luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 25. The Mass is being celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in Atlanta at 11 a.m. Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory is scheduled to be the principal celebrant. Following the Mass, a luncheon will be held at the Capital City Club.

The Red Mass is celebrated for the legal profession, usually marking the start of the court year. The tradition dates to the 13th century. The name stems from the red vestments worn by the priests that represent the Holy Spirit and the robes worn by judges and lawyers.