Called to Be Saints

Called to Be Saints (1881) is a collection of Christian devotional writings and biblical commentary by Victorian poet Christina Rossetti. The book examines each of the major saints celebrated in the calendar of the Church of England, providing meditations on their lives and significance. Rossetti structures the work around individual saint's days, offering scriptural analysis, prayers, and contemplative passages for each figure. The text interweaves biographical details of saints with theological reflection and guidance for spiritual practice. Organized chronologically through the church year, the book provides both historical context and personal interpretation of sainthood and Christian devotion. Rossetti draws heavily from Anglican liturgy and tradition while incorporating her own distinctive prose style. The work reflects broader Victorian religious thought while exploring themes of sacrifice, faith, and the relationship between earthly and divine love. Through her focus on individual saints, Rossetti constructs an argument for how ordinary believers can pursue holiness in their own lives.

This book has limited online reader reviews and discussion, making it difficult to provide a comprehensive summary of public reception. On Goodreads, it has only 2 ratings with an average of 4.5/5 stars, but no written reviews. The book appears to be out of print and relatively rare, contributing to its limited visibility. Readers appreciate Rossetti's theological insights and devotional writing style. One reader on a Christian literature forum noted the book's "deep meditations on scripture" and praised how Rossetti connects Biblical passages to practical Christian living. The few criticisms mention the dated Victorian writing style and dense theological language that can be difficult for modern readers to parse. No ratings or reviews were found on Amazon or other major book review sites. The book remains primarily of interest to scholars of Victorian religious literature and those studying Rossetti's complete works. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (2 ratings) No other verifiable rating sources found

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🔹 Christina Rossetti wrote "Called to Be Saints" in 1881 as a devotional text focusing on the lives of various saints in the Anglican calendar, connecting their stories with specific flowers and Biblical passages. 🔹 While primarily known for her poetry, including "Goblin Market," Rossetti authored several religious prose works like "Called to Be Saints" during a period of deep spiritual reflection in her later life. 🔹 Each saint's chapter in the book begins with a symbolic flower chosen by Rossetti, creating a unique blend of natural imagery and religious meditation that reflects her dual interests in botany and theology. 🔹 The book demonstrates Rossetti's Anglo-Catholic beliefs and her involvement with the Oxford Movement, which sought to return the Church of England to its medieval roots and traditions. 🔹 The text includes original prayers composed by Rossetti for each saint's day, many of which are still used in some Anglican churches today.