looked upon these saints of antiquity, angels presented to him all the
bands of saints of future ages, who, joining their labours to the
merits of his Passion, were, through him, to be united to his Heavenly
Father. Most beautiful and consoling was this vision, in which he
beheld the salvation and sanctification flowing forth in ceaseless
streams from the fountain of redemption opened by his death.

The Apostles, disciples, virgins, and holy women, the martyrs,
confessors, hermits, popes, and bishops, and large bands of religious
of both sexes--in one word, the entire army of the blessed--appeared before
him. All bore on their heads triumphal crowns, and the flowers of their
crowns differed in form, in colour, in odour, and in perfection,
according to the difference of the sufferings, labours and victories
which had procured them eternal glory. Their whole life, and all their
actions, merits, and power, as well as all the glory of their triumph,
came solely from their union with the merits of Jesus Christ.

The reciprocal influence exercised by these saints upon each other,
and the manner in which they all drank from one sole Fountain--the
Adorable Sacrament and the Passion of our Lord--formed a most touching and
wonderful spectacle. Nothing about them was devoid of deep meaning,--their
works, martyrdom, victories, appearance, and dress,--all, though
indescribably varied, was confused together in infinite harmony and
unity; and this unity in diversity was produced by the rays of one
single Sun, by the Passion of the Lord, of the Word made flesh, in whom
was life, the light of men, which shined in darkness, and the darkness
did not comprehend it.

The army of the future saints passed before the soul of our Lord,
which was thus placed between the desiring patriarchs, and the