When the Book Stayed Closed and Hearts Opened—Full of Grace

I brought a book with me to the confessional that afternoon—The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila. It felt like the right companion for a long, quiet stretch before the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. I didn’t expect many penitents. I thought I’d read a chapter or two in the stillness of the church, perhaps reflect quietly before the Triduum truly began.

But I never even opened the book.

From the moment I sat down, the line had already formed. I assumed it would thin out soon. It didn’t. It only grew. For the next four hours, I heard confession after confession—nonstop.

They came—young and old, known and unknown. Some had been away from the sacrament for years. Others spoke through tears. A few walked in sheepishly, almost unsure if they were allowed to return. And yet something had drawn them—an invisible thread pulling them back into grace.

That something was the mercy of God, already at work.

It wasn’t just a matter of routine or religious duty. This was deeper. What I witnessed was a movement of the heart, a wave of conversion. The Paschal Triduum had begun not just in the liturgy, but in the soul—in quiet reckonings, in whispered contrition, in the courage to say, “Bless me, Father…”

I went in expecting silence and reading time. But instead, I saw the Gospel unfold in real time—dozens of hearts being reconciled, each one a small resurrection.

To anyone reading this—if you’ve been waiting for a sign to come back, this is it. That nudge in your heart, that gentle longing, that hesitation… it’s Him. The Lord is calling you home.

Come. Come without fear. Come even if it’s been years. The door is open. The line is waiting. And the book, The Way of Perfection, will have to wait—because your return is far more important.

About the writer: Fr. Donnie Duchin Duya, SDB serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Don Bosco Press, Inc. He preaches retreats and recollections and is a spiritual director to religious and lay people.

Editor’s Note:

“We believe that faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life.”

The opening line of the JCI Creed reminds us that our work as young active citizens is rooted in something far deeper than productivity or recognition—it is anchored in faith.

We’re honored to share this beautiful piece by Fr. Donnie Duchin Duya, SDB, a priest from the Salesians of Don Bosco—an order known for guiding the youth, forming hearts, and reminding people of God’s love in everyday moments. In his quiet, powerful storytelling, Fr. Donnie lets us witness the beauty of grace unfolding in the most unexpected of ways: a confessional line that never ended, and hearts that came home.

As members of JCI Manila and the wider JCI community, we’re often focused on building projects, leading teams, and creating impact. But this reflection is a gentle reminder that before we lead others, we’re called to be renewed ourselves.

As JCI Manila continues to inspire, empower, and elevate its members, may this piece serve as an invitation to reflect more deeply on the grace that sustains our every endeavor.

May the Lord guide us in all our undertakings.