If you ask a theologian the question which forms the subject of this book: who is Satan? he will doubtless answer: Satan is the Commander-in-chief of the fallen angels. A Commander-in-chief implies an army, a hierarchy, a body of troops. What do we mean by angels? Are angels people like human beings, with a body and soul, or have they a more ethereal constitution than ours? Are they pure spirits, that is, without a body? In that case, what is meant by "fallen" in the theologians' definition of Satan? First of all, however, we must ask ourselves if here we are really concerned with authentic theology. Has the Church any teaching on the subject of the angels and Satan? Is the Christian, careful to believe everything that the Church believes and teaches in God's name, obliged to believe in the existence of the angels and Satan? Or is he allowed to consign the whole subject to the indeterminate domain of tradition, legend or Christian folklore? It would not be particularly surprising to encounter, even among enlightened Christians, those with doubts on the whole matter, people who prefer never to raise the question of the existence of angels and devils lest they be obliged to come to a decision about it.
In these pages written over half-a-century ago, Nicolas Corte gives you incontrovertible proof that Satan exists, that he and his legions of devils assault you daily, and that by means of relentless attacks overwhelming and subtle they intend to corrupt you, damn you, and drag you into Hell along with those you love and all the rest of mankind.
A grand battle is raging right now for the future of your soul: not an abstract battle of ideas and principles, but a tough, personal struggle that pits God and you against Satan and his minions. Worse: the nearer you grow to God and the closer to victory, the greater are the traps the Devil lays in your path.
With God's help and the help of the good angels, who are truly your friends and guardians you can repel the Devil; but to succeed, you must first come to understand Satan's devious ways and recognize his subtle paths of attack. Armed with that knowledge, which Nicolas Corte gives you here, you'll soon be able to identify temptations early and equip yourself to repel them long before they grow strong enough to overthrow you.
Soon, the Devil's trials will cease to be for you occasions of sin, becoming instead (as they did for scores of saints) providential opportunities for genuine spiritual victories.
