I then returned to my Heavenly Spouse in his most bitter agony. The
frightful visions of the future ingratitude of the men whose debt to
Divine Justice he was taking upon himself, continued to become more and
more vivid and tremendous. Several times I heard him exclaim: 'O my
Father, can I possibly suffer for so ungrateful a race? O my Father, if
this chalice may not pass from me, but I must drink it, thy will be
done!'

Amid all these apparitions, Satan held a conspicuous place, under
various forms, which represented different species of sins. Sometimes
he appeared under the form of a gigantic black figure, sometimes under
those of a tiger, a fox, a wolf, a dragon, or a serpent. Not, however,
that he really took any of these shapes, but merely some one of their
characteristics, joined with other hideous forms. None of these
frightful apparitions entirely resembled any creature, but were symbols
of abomination, discord, contradiction, and sin-- in one word, were
demoniacal to the fullest extent. These diabolical figures urged on,
dragged, and tore to pieces, before the very eyes of Jesus, countless
numbers of those men for whose redemption he was entering upon the
painful way of the Cross. At first I but seldom saw the serpent: soon,
however, it made its appearance, with a crown upon its head. This
odious reptile was of gigantic size, apparently possessed of unbounded
strength, and led forward countless legions of the enemies of Jesus in
every age and of every nation. Being armed with all kinds of
destructive weapons, they sometimes tore one another in pieces, and
then renewed their attacks upon our Saviour with redoubled rage. It was
indeed an awful sight; for they heaped upon him the most fearful
outrages, cursing, striking, wounding, and tearing him in pieces. Their
weapons, swords, and spears flew about in the air, crossing and