In this week's article from a Catholic teacher, Mike explores the Salesian concept of a 'spirituality of presence'. In these times when being physically present to others is restricted, considering the spiritual aspect of presence could help us to be 'present' when we're not present, in our working, family and social relationships.

I was once in a very serious meeting where the question was asked 'what is Salesian spirituality?' A young Salesian Brother replied 'It is a spiritualty of presence'. The person asking the question looked stumped! The good Brother's reply set me off on a journey to truly understand what this actually meant.

What does it mean to be present as a teacher?

• Being in school?
• Being on duty?
• Being at the door to the classroom and having the lesson planned?
• Books marked?
• Latest inspection framework memorised?

The above definitely show that one is in work and able to do one's job, there can be no doubt about it. Yet does this mean that the teacher is actually present? Maybe I could share a true story (names have been changed). In one particular school there was a very difficult young man. His mere attendance in school put fear into some staff. He was rude and argumentative; in short, a pain. One morning at briefing, staff were told his mother had terminal cancer. At another, that she had died, to which one member of staff said 'I am not surprised she's died, having a son like that!'

Wow! Did I actually hear that correctly? Was this person truly present to the reality of the situation of this young soul? No! To embrace a spirituality of presence is to be present to the pupils who turn up each day. The teacher above was clearly living in the past. I am of no doubt that they had been hurt by the youngster in question and that his conduct in their lessons had caused anxiety and stress. Yet who is the adult?

Through the incarnation, God is present in the whole of material reality. Nothing is devoid of the sacred energy that radiates from the Lord. This is true of each and every child who arrives at school each day. Firstly, to be present is to hold this constantly in your mind and heart. Our pupils are made in the image of God. There is nothing secular about the youngsters in front of us. They are divine. They are children of God. The ethical super-heroes of Catholic education, De La Salle, Bosco, Billiart, to name but a few, got this. When they looked at their pupils they did so through 'incarnate-coloured-spectacles'. The first stage in a spirituality of presence is to be present to the incarnate reality in which we teach. The Christ is in all things. Once we embrace this reality, we can begin to form a new consciousness.

One member of staff with whom I once worked described coming into school as 'working in the green fields of Heaven'. Another, in the same school, described the children as the 'creme-de-la-crap'. They had both taught in the school for many years. One was constantly happy in their vocation, the other, suffering greatly. The former was living in the present each day. This teacher was not naïve, but present to the realities of the difficulties the pupils faced daily - survival being chief amongst them. This teacher 'got' the barriers to learning that many pupils had to overcome just to get into school. In being present to the harsh realities of life, this member of staff could see that the pupils needed a shepherd; and would not leave a single one out. Lessons were well planned, books were constantly marked, the door was always open, and trips and residential experiences were the mainstay of this teacher. This person was the strictest member of staff on the team; and their results were the best in the school. Presence to the harshness of most of the pupil's lives coupled with being present to the fact that education would change things for the better, drove this individual. Their consciousness that was ever present to the reality of the 'now' moved mountains. At one time this teacher had a large sum of money taken from the classroom. Once the guilty pupil had been found, some were calling for exclusion, to which this person responded: "They have already excluded themselves by their sin; time to let them rejoin the community!" Present to the healing power of forgiveness and reconciliation. Resurrection in real time!

The latter teacher lived in anywhere but the 'now'! 'Pupils these days! … They have no respect anymore! … I wish we had still had the strap!' The negative self-dialogue killed the spirit. As a young teacher, it was horrific to watch. On this soul's last day in school, after a life-time of teaching, they walked out without a goodbye. Death in real time!

So, to be present to the reality that all people are made in the image of God, to be present to the realities that our pupils face, is to begin to develop a new consciousness, which we could call a consciousness of the present moment. I am convinced that practising a spirituality of presence is the key to happiness and fulfilment in what can be a demanding and difficult vocation.

I often sit around a table eating, talking, laughing (and occasionally drinking!) with Salesian and Lasallian religious. To be present to the fraternal love of these brothers of mine is a blessing. And it strikes me that the founders of their orders were the masters of presence. They were present to the realities of their day: poverty, crime, corruption – even in the Church. Yet they were also present to the perfect image of the creator that shone through the imperfect youngsters whom they served. Seeing through the eye of incarnate reality, they were able to hold the contradictions of youth crime, poverty and ignorance in perfect harmony with youngsters who radiated the high point of creation.

This is what we as educators must constantly practice. This is why presence is a spiritual practice. On a daily basis we must not just 'turn-up' for school. We must be present to the needs of the school community. And in doing so we will move mountains.

Michael Bennett