The first eight months of novitiate, an early time of seminarian training, are endearingly known as “the desert.” During these eight months, the novices receive instructions, but much of their time is spe4nt in prayerful reflection.

Director of the novitiate, Fr. Jim Deegan, O.M.I., explains, “This is the time for the students to get to know themselves. They learn about the Lord and the congregation, but much of the effort is on spiritual growth. This is important because ‘Grace builds on nature.’ If people are healthy, then the spirit of God can build within them in a healthy way.”

For Bart Zavaletta, the experience has been difficult, yet enlightening.

“It’s tremendously challenging,” he said. “But when you can feel Christ calling to you intimately, if you feel connected with the will of the Father, it makes sense. For me, I think of Jesus. Whenever He went out to the desert, He came back with a teaching or He would perform a miracle. The desert was a place where He could, and I can, come closer to God.”

Although this time has been bringing Bart closer in his relationship with God, he feels as if God has been there all along. Bart believes the divine hand of Providence has been involved throughout his discernment.

“Too many things happened for it to be just coincidence,” he said. “For example, I was waiting to hear from Fr. Lanese, O.M.I., about how I could contact the Oblate Vocation Director for information about the congregation. He had promised to have the information soon. But it didn’t matter, because when my parents and I attended Mass the following week, the guest celebrant was Fr. Alex Roque, O.M.I., the Vocation Director for the Oblates!”

From that point on, Bart felt himself being pulled towards the Missionary Oblates through Providence and personal choice, especially as he learned more about the Founder, St. Eugene De Mazenod.

“Everything I felt drawn to about the priesthood and religious life was personified by St. Eugene. He had a passionate love for Christ, Our Lady, Our Church, and the salvation of the poor.”

The draw to join the Oblates was unmistakable, but Bart still had to overcome his personal reservations.

“I wanted to be a diocesan priest and stay in my hometown of Brownsville to minister. But the Oblates are a missionary congregation, which means I could end up anywhere for my service. I wasn’t too fond of the idea at first. But then I learned the spirituality of surrender. Through prayer I learned to abandon what I wanted for what God wanted of me.

“As I read more about the missionaries, and I learned some of their personal stories, I became excited. Plus, Pope John Paul II spoke a lot about the Mission Church and his words inspired me.”

This inspiration stays with Bart now as he makes his way in “the desert” towards his first vows. Although this has been a time of intense introspection, he is also gaining an understanding of the diverse world of the Oblates.

“There’s a rich diversity of life at the novitiate. There are Zambians here, a Haitian, and a Mexican.

“I really felt challenged to broaden my understanding about different parts of the world. It’s really amazing to feel the internationality of the congregation – all of these people from different parts of the world are united in a common cause and charism.

“It’s a powerful and rich charism, and I see it more and more when I meet more Oblates. It’s like there are small bits and pieces of the charism in every Oblate, and you can see the teachings personified in them.”

Through the various ups and downs of his life and discernment, Bart has striven to understand his calling to serve God. And he hopes to come out of “the desert” invigorated in his relationship with the Lord and ready to face whatever challenges will come.

“It’s not about being for yourself,” he said. “It’s about being for God.”