Bloodshed and Blessing Stories of Sacrifice from Ancient Altars to the Holy Mass

This Catholic book explores how ancient civilizations, from the Aztecs to the Vikings, used blood sacrifice to make sense of violence, suffering, and the search for meaning. Father Dwight Longenecker argues that these ancient practices reflect deep human instincts that still exist today.

He then connects ancient sacrificial practices to the Catholic Mass, showing how humanity’s longing for meaning, reconciliation, and transcendence ultimately points toward Christ’s sacrifice as the One True Sacrifice.

Ultimately, "Bloodshed and Blessing" argues that although ancient cultures may seem distant from us, their questions about violence, sacrifice, and meaning are still our questions, and Christianity offers the answer through the sacrifice of Christ. 

Author: Fr. Dwight Longenecker / Subtitle: Stories of Sacrifice From Ancient Altars to the Holy Mass / Softcover, 127 pages / Printed in USA.